Los Angeles cathedral during Jubilee year
Architecture around Los Angeles / Downtown Los Angeles

Preparing for Palm Sunday at Los Angeles Cathedral

by carollightwood
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. Palm fronds line the stairways up to the cathedral.

I had intended to visit The Broad museum on Saturday but the line for people without tickets was two–yes! two–blocks long and the museum hadn’t even opened yet.  I’ll go another time.

So instead I walked 3 blocks to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels where preparations for Palm Sunday (March 20th) were underway.

Candales for sale Los Angeles Cathedral
Candles were for sale at various places around the cathedral. These small candles near the indoor shrine for Our Lady of Guadalupe were $2. The larger candles near her outdoor shrine were $5.

It turned out to be a very multicultural day, starting with the Roman Catholic Cathedral. On my way home I came across the Persian Festival in downtown Los Angeles.  Then stopped in South Pasadena and discovered the ‘Color Festival’. I had seen photos of events like this in India, but never in the U.S. I’ll publish those pictures soon.

Mercy Arch and entry Los Angeles Cathedral
In recognition of the Jubilee Year of Mercy an arch has been erected in the walkway to the official entrance to the Cathedral. 
Bronze door at L.A. cathedral
Massive bronze door at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
tourgroups at L.A. Cathedral
Several tour groups were wandering around as a parishioner brought palms to decorate the Cathedral interior.
etched angels L.A. cathedral
My favorite thing at the cathedral are the pairs of angels etched into the windows in the sound wall overlooking the 101 freeway. The bridge in this photo crosses the 101 and leads into Chinatown.
Our Lady of Guadalupe outdoor shrine L.A. Cathedral
Outside the cathedral is a very very large plaza and on the far side of it is an outdoor shrine to our Lady of Guadalupe. It backs up against the 101 Freeway and the roar of traffic is constant. Perhaps that’s why another shrine to her is inside the cathedral where it is quieter.
Another shrine to Our Lady of Guardalupe Los Angeles
Our Lady of Guadalupe has a second shrine at the cathedral. This one is indoors.
Parade of saints Los Angeles Cathedral
Instead of the Stations of the Cross, the walls of the cathedral interior are lined with a parade of saints. These paintings while they give the appearance of being old are, in fact, new and are at least 20 feet tall.
Los Angeles Persian parade float
Two blocks away from the Cathedral a Persian Parade was getting organized. One block away from that a Latin Food Festival was underway. Just another multi-cultural Saturday in Los Angeles!

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