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RECTOR'S WELCOME

A very warm welcome in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ to Mary's House in Natchez — the Mother Church of Mississippi Catholicism.

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Saint Mary Basilica in Natchez is recognized as an architectural masterpiece among Catholic churches in the South. The construction of this place of worship was begun in 1842 as a Cathedral of Our Lady Sorrows — a status she maintained until the Diocese headquarters was transferred from Natchez to Jackson in 1977.

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Each year, we welcome thousands of pilgrims and tourists who come to pray, to worship, and to experience the beauty of the Catholic faith expressed uniquely here in the heart of the American 'Bible Belt'. Everyone is welcome in our parish who come in good will to meet the Lord. We are proud of the rich Catholic heritage that is preserved in the artwork of our antebellum Church, and in the spirit of our proud community of faith.

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On behalf of the clergy, staff, volunteers, and faithful of Saint Mary's, I invite you to visit our Church in person and know that we remember you and all our spiritual pilgrims in prayer. May God bless you and those close to you, and may you be sustained by the powerful intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows.

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Yours Sincerely in Christ,

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Very Reverend Aaron M. Williams

Rector

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About the Rector

Fr. Aaron M. Williams is a priest of the Diocese of Jackson. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from St. Joseph Seminary in Covington, LA, and was the first recipient of the Esse quam videri award for service to the school. He earned a Masters of Divinity from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and graduated with honors. During his studies, he produced the Notre Dame Vesperal. He earned an M.A. in Liturgical Studies from the Liturgical Institute in Mundelein, where he graduated with honors and completed his thesis “Ceremonial Worship: On the Place of Non-Verbal Action in the Right Worship of God”. Fr. Aaron is currently a Ph.D Candidate with Universität Wien (Austria), writing in Liturgical Theology. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Society for Catholic Liturgy and has written for Antiphon, the Adoremus Bulletin, the Priest Magazine, and the Mississippi Catholic.

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Mary Basilica Parish is a community of believers united by faith in Jesus Christ and committed to bringing about the kingdom of God. Parish members are encouraged to grow in faith through the celebration of the Eucharist and sacraments, by the study of the Sacred Scriptures and the Catholic Tradition, and by active participation in the ministries of the parish. Parish members are expected to be witnesses for their faith by loving support of one another and through service to the needy, the wider community, and the world mission of the Catholic Church.

CONTACT

Basilica Parish Office:

613 Main Street

Natchez, Mississippi 39120

phone 601.445.5616

fax  601.445.9631

email secretary@stmarybasilica.org

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For inquiries regarding weddings and baptisms, please contact the office.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT

The Basilica of Saint Mary is committed to providing a safe environment for all persons of every age, race, and state of life. In accordance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People promulgated by the U.S. Bishops, the Diocese of Jackson encourages any victim of abuse by Clergy or Church Staff or Volunteers to come forward and begin the healing process. We encourage any victim to contact Erika Rojas, Victim Assistance coordinator at 601.326.3736.

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