Immaculate Conception

Marian title of Casries (Casries)
Recognized by the Church

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the mother church of the diocese of Casries, capital of Saint Lucia. The first church in the present location dates back to the 19th century and the temple is the result of successive reconstructions, due to the fires of the city and the tropical climate. The church was raised to cathedral when the diocese was erected in the 20th century. The exact dates of construction and elevation to cathedral do not accurately reflect the accessible sources.

Main data

Origin and history

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the mother church of the diocese of Casries, capital of Saint Lucia. The first church in the present location dates back to the 19th century and the temple is the result of successive reconstructions, due to the fires of the city and the tropical climate. The church was raised to cathedral when the diocese was erected in the 20th century. The exact dates of construction and elevation to cathedral do not accurately reflect the accessible sources.

The image and the sanctuary

It is one of the largest religious buildings in the Caribbean, with a basic plant with a decorated wooden ceiling and elements of a Creole-Caribbean style. The interior is richly painted with biblical scenes and religious motifs, by which the temple is well known. There is no headline image with a miraculous account or publicly documented exvotes.

Sponsorship and coronation

The cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, dogma defined by Pius IX in 1854. It is the mother church of the diocese; there is no additional recognition as a Marian national sanctuary or canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8 with solemn Mass and special events with community participation. The temple is a place of peace where the faithful come to light candles to the Virgin.

Link to the Rosary

As an advocation of the Immaculate Conception, this cathedral welcomes the Marian piety of the island, in which the Rosary is usual prayer. To pray the Rosary before the Immaculate One unites the contemplation of mysteries with the purity of Mary, first redeemed by the grace of Christ.