Story By Audrey Sommers
Of The Michigan Catholic

DETROIT – The Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament has been restored to its original Gothic splendor and renovated to better fulfill its role as the mother church for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

The cathedral was rededicated on the feast of the Annunciation, March 25, by its chief shepherd, Cardinal Adam Maida, following a $15 million renovation that took 19 months to complete.

An overflow crowd of invitation-only guests, including 165 priests, packed the 865-seat cathedral for the event. Dignitaries included Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Francis George, OMI, of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Detroit's auxiliary bishops and several bishops of Michigan.

"Even as our world is overshadowed by the darkness and tragedy of war, we, the Church of Detroit, gather with hope and gratitude here in our newly restored mother church to celebrate God's abiding presence and love. On this feast of the Annunciation, we rejoice in the way God chose to dwell among us in the womb of the Virgin Mother, announcing to her and through her the beginning of our salvation," Cardinal Maida said in his homily.

The cardinal spoke from the new ambo (pulpit) in the renovated marble sanctuary, which includes a new altar and cathedra (archbishop's chair).

Highlights of the rededication included:

The handing over of the cathedral. A group of people representing everyone involved in the renovation of the cathedral handed it over to Cardinal Maida in a ceremony outside the doors facing Woodward Avenue.

The sprinkling of the cathedral. Cardinal Maida blessed the water from the baptismal font and with it, sprinkled the people, walls and altar.

The anointing of the altar with sacred Chrism oil. The anointing is a symbol of Christ, who is called "The Anointed One." The cardinal also anointed the walls of the cathedral, signifying that they are given over entirely to Christian worship.

The incense rite. Incense was burned on the altar, signifying that Christ's sacrifice, perpetuated in mystery, ascends to God as an odor of sweetness and that the people's prayers rise up to reach the throne of God.

The installation of the relics into the new altar. Cardinal Maida deposited the relics of Saints Catherine Drexel, Elizabeth Ann Seton and Faustina Kowalski, with the relics from the cathedral's former main altars, into the base of the new altar.

The major repairs and updates made to cathedral included new roofing and electrical wiring. Before the renovation began, the cathedral's limestone walls were pressured cleaned inside and out with baking soda.

New additions include: a full immersion baptistery, custom-designed pews for more spacious seating, a sound system and an energy-efficient heating and cooling system.

The remodeling included turning the former chapel into a new Eucharistic Reservation Chapel, new reconciliation chambers, new and expanded restrooms and renovation of the rectory.

On the north side of the cathedral is a plaza, which can accommodate up to 1,000 people. There is a new parking lot with a security fence.

"We want people to get to know the cathedral. There could be special Masses for people celebrating their 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries, grieving people and for families of first communicants," said Msgr. Anthony Tocco, general chairman of the cathedral renovation committee, chairman of the major contributors campaign and pastor of St. Hugo of the Hills Parish. "There are so many reasons why people can come to worship at the cathedral."

Barbara Gallinat, a member of St. Dunstan Parish, Garden City, said, "The cathedral is something fabulous. It reminds you of something you would see in Europe." The mother of six and grandmother of 16 said, "It's something for my children to see."

John Quintero, of St. Christopher Parish, Detroit, said, "I'm overwhelmed by the beauty and impressed by the immensity of the renovations. I'm happy it's kept its Gothic nature.

"This is the third time I've been here and it's more beautiful than ever before," said Quintaro, whose last time visit at the cathedral was 15 years ago.

The architect of the project was world-renowned Gunnar Birkerts. DiClemente Siegel Design, Inc. of Southfield was the architect/engineer of record.

Original construction of the church began in 1913 and was completed in 1915. The last major renovation of the cathedral was in 1950-1951, when the two towers facing Woodward Avenue were completed.

Parishioners have pledged $13.2 million toward the $15 million total.

Michigan Catholic reporter Michelle Zotter contributed to this story