A group of approximately 30 seventh and eighth-graders from St. John Chrysostom School in the Bronx toured St. Patrick’s Cathedral Wednesday, as part of their preparation to receive the sacrament of confirmation in April. 

Bishop Edmund J. Whalen led the students through the cathedral. “Where do your eyes go? Up,” Whalen told the group, as he explained the architectural features that allow a cathedral to be built in the gothic style.

Standing in the center aisle of St. Patrick’s knave, Bishop Whalen pointed out the shrines to saints that flank the cathedral, including those established for early Irish, Italian, French, and German immigrants. 

Bishop Whalen stopped to point out the shrine to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, noting that she was born in New York City. “Saints aren’t people from other places; saints grow up right here,” he told the students. 

In describing the Altar of the Holy Face and the story of St. Veronica, who wiped the face of Jesus as he carried the cross to Calvary, Whalen said, “It’s in the simple acts of kindness that we see the true face of Jesus.”

Close to the main altar, Bishop Whalen stopped to talk about the large depiction of a pelican shown feeding its young, and its symbolism, that it represents the Eucharist, as Jesus sacrificed himself for the faithful.

He guided the students into the crypt below St. Patrick’s altar, where archbishops, cardinals, and others of significance to the Archdiocese of New York are buried, including former Haitian slave, the Venerable Pierre Toussaint. Toussaint was first buried at the original St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Mulberry Street but was later reinterred at the new cathedral. 

Behind the altar, Bishop Whalen talked about the mosaic that depicts St. Sharbel Makhlouf. “A mosaic is not a statue — each one of us is part of the picture,” he said.

“Coming here, and reflecting on the symbolism of the pelican, it helps me understand my personal relationship with Jesus,” said Melanie Bouwer, 13, a St. John Chrysostom student, of the value of her visit. 

Gabriella Velez, 13, said that during her visit, she learned more about the saints, both ones she had heard of before, such as St. Rose of Lima, and others with whom she was not as familiar. “In the crypt, I could see those people who contributed so much to the Church. It helps me reflect on my relationship with God,” the student said.