Tuesday morning was rainy and slightly chilly; it was a perfect day to visit a cemetery.  When I entered the cemetery I was awed by the beauty of the graves.  The graves were above ground and very intricate and sentimental.  Many graves contained the bodies of multiple family members together.

The rich Catholic culture in New Orleans is spread throughout the city; Catholicism is not only seen in the churches or the St. Louis Cathedral.  Crosses and crucifixes, Mary and other saint statues, and Catholic memorabilia, such as St. Louis Cathedral mini replicas are  sold throughout the French Market and other shops in the area.  Countless restaurants, such as the French Market’s N’awlins Cafe, and homes display Mary statues in front yards or other open areas.

Early Sunday Morning I attended Catholic Mass at St. Louis Cathedral. Mass was well attended by both tourists and locals. After mass was over, tourists spilled into the church to take pictures and see the beautiful Cathedral. It was then clear just how huge a staple the St. Louis Cathedral is for New Orleans. Even some mass goers simply sat back during mass as if they were sight seeing just another aspect of New Orleans. On the walk back from mass, we passed another Catholic Church, The Center of Jesus the Lord, both a worship center and a retreat center. The church appeared empty and the street outside where we walked was scarce with passers-byers. In the entrance to the church, however, two priests stood and greeted everyone who passed by the church. The priests were not attempting to pull people into mass or push Catholicism or God on anyone. They were simply engaging in the friendly atmosphere of New Orleans and welcoming and greeting the public who passed by.