San Fernando has marked the spiritual and civic center of San Antonio since its founding in 1731 according to the official Pocket Guide to San Antonio and the placque at the Cathedral entrance. It was the first place of worship for Texans and was visited by Pope John Paul II in the late 1980s. It is open to tourists and during the half hour or so we spent in the Cathedral, we saw people of all ages come in to quietly take in the beauty, read the many memorials, and stop for a moment of prayer. Be sure to click on the "Comments" below for Glenn's additions to this post.
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The cathedral is named after St. Ferdinand III, born in 1198, who became King of Castile, Spain at age 18. He led his armies to defeat the Moors, spread Christianity, built churches and monasteries, and endowed hospitals. At age 53, he died in 1252, and was buried in the great church of Seville. "His body, blessed with many miracles, is still preserved in the church without the least blemish of corruption," reads the brochure from the cathedral gift shop. He became a saint in 1671, more than 400 years after he died. His annual feast day is the day of his death, 30 May. [I paid $1 for the brochure and want to be sure I get my money's worth by passing along all this information to everyone.]
Inside the Cathedral are the remains of three major heroes of the Alamo: Travis, Crocket and Bowie. These remains were exhumed from their original location and placed in the Cathedral...On my video camera, I have pictures of the crypt and the adjacent carving, in marble, which explains when and where all this took place.
Beautiful pictures, no, senor?
Well you got your $1 worth! Thank you for passing along the history! I love hearing the history. Can't wait to see the video of the crypt - and yes, beautiful pictures.
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