Worship
A
Heritage of Faith
 eginning with a strong Roman
Catholic and Protestant influence in the city's
early days, Belleville was and continues to be the
spiritual center of Southern Illinois. There
are more than 80 churches and religious
organizations here, including a Jewish synagogue,
Islamic mosque, a Greek Orthodox church, several
Roman Catholic parishes, churches of many Christian
denominations and Illinois' largest cathedral.
The religious influence extends to the education of
Belleville's children with a strong representation
of private Jewish, Christian, Lutheran and Roman
Catholic schools.
"Religion
plays a major part in Belleville's culture and
community."
 The
National Shrine of Our Lady of
the Snows, the largest outdoor shrine
in North America, also serves as a worship center
for visitors and residents. Daily, Saturday
evening and Sunday Masses; Masses in Spanish; and
Masses focusing on cancer, healing and
reconciliation are celebrated at the Shrine's Church
of Our Lady of the Snows. The annual Healing
Novena, held from July 28 to August 5 for more than
50 years, draws thousands from the United States and
Canada. Each of the nine nights of prayer
focuses on a different aspect of healing and
culminates in a candlelight rosary procession.
"Belleville is rich in
spiritual education and services."
 The
Diocese of Belleville
welcomed a new bishop in 2005, Bishop Rev. Edward K.
Braxton. Ordained as a priest in 1970 and as a
bishop in 1995, Braxton works to make the ministry
of bishop a visible reality in the church and
community. Belleville has eight parishes, as
well as seven diocesan grade schools and one high
school. School Sisters of Notre Dame have
begun serving as consultants to the diocese,
directing the planning and implementation of
Catholic education in Belleville.
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