RCIA Pilgrimage

We went to an RCIA Pilgrimage at "The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption" in San Francisco. My husband is going through the RCIA program to become a Catholic. Each catechumen needs to have someone in the church sponsor them. My husband asked out long time friend and member of our church to be his sponsor. At the Easter Vigil he will be baptized. RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. For the last year he has been attending RCIA meetings to learn about how to become a Catholic church. The church is huge with interesting architecture. There are 10 shrines that depict the events in the life of Mary.

*Our Lady Of Guadalupe shrine which depicts the symbol of the Catholic faith in the New World, Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
*Visitation shrine show Mary as a young girl, already pregnant with our Lord, assisting her elderly cousin, Elizabeth.
*Flight Into Egypt depicts after the birth of Christ, the Holy Family flee their native land to escape from the wrath of King Herod, putting their faith in the Lord's angel to guide them.
*Wedding Feast at Cana Jesus is shown responding to Mary's request by changing water into wine.
*Baptismal Font is located near the main entrance of the Cathedral because all enter the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism.
*Crucifixion shows the final hour of Jesus on the cross, with Mary and John his beloved disciple.
*Pentecost after our Lord's Resurrection and Ascension, the Apostles, gather with Mary to prey.
*Assumption shrine shows Mary's reward for her life of discipleship, as angels carry her to heaven.
*Blessed Sacrament tabernacle is one of the most sacred parts of the Cathedral-the place where the Eucharist is kept in reservation.
*Chapel and Sacristy is the room where liturgical ministers prepare for the celebration.