Welcome to St. Mary Basilica
Recognized as an architectural masterpiece among Catholic churches in the south, it is the spiritual home of a vibrant St. Mary Catholic community today. The construction of this place of worship was begun in 1842 as the Cathedral of the newly established Diocese of Natchez.

The St. Mary congregation takes pride in the basilica's colorful and prayerful setting, and welcomes visitors from near and distant places. The city of Natchez, on the Mississippi River and the birthplace of Mississippi, is a tourist destination because of its historic ante-bellum homes. St. Mary Basilica, also ante-bellum, is the city's central landmark.

Mission of St. Mary Basilica
St. Mary Basilica is spiritual home to approximately 2,000 Roman Catholics. It has provided Catholic Education through the Cathedral School system since 1853. The school’s (K-12) enrollment at present is approximately 600 students.  

Programs to enrich and support the sacredness of family life are a priority at St. Mary, as are programs of faith formation, community service, evangelization, youth ministry, and interfaith activity.
 
Inspirational liturgies, sacramental celebrations, the observance of important feast days, and leadership training for congregation members are highlighted. Much of St. Mary ministry is carried out by a cadre of dedicated volunteers.
 
No longer the Cathedral of the diocese, St. Mary congregation sees its mission not only as serving the local community but also as a support and resource for the ministry of smaller Catholic communities in Southwest Mississippi.

Catholic Diocese of Jackson
February 15, 2012
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Catholic bishops have long supported access to life-affirming healthcare for all, and the conscience rights of everyone involved in the complex process of… Read more

Congress Must Act to Fix The Problem
January 20, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed a rule that virtually all private health care plans must cover sterilization, abortifacients, and contraception. The exemption provided for… Read more