New pamphlet turns children’s cathedral tours into educational scavenger hunts

Photos: Courtesy of St. Louis Cathedral

By BETH DONZE
Clarion Herald

The ongoing Kids’ Clarion series “What’s inside my church?” (see above) prompted members of the staff at St. Louis Cathedral to share an interesting educational service they have been offering young cathedral visitors since February of this year.

Upon realizing the many “teaching moments” that were being lost when children visited the cathedral with their families, Nataly Scheuermann – the cathedral’s business and communication coordinator and a former Catholic elementary school teacher – created a “scavenger hunt”-style pamphlet that challenges youngsters to find various items inside and outside the iconic structure – from its statues of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, St. Louis King of France and the Risen Jesus, to the church’s three clocks.

“I have that teacher’s mind still,” chuckled Scheuermann, who said that although guided tours are available at St. Louis Cathedral at certain times of the day, docents cannot always be present to answer visitors’ questions.

Pamphlets for adults’ self-guided tours were available inside the cathedral’s vestibule, “but we needed a kids’ version, because we would see the kids walking around, and they’re obviously not interested in the same things their parents are – and it’s a big building,” Scheuermann said. “You have an audience, so you might as well teach them a little something while they’re in there!”

‘Reading’ the cathedral

The scavenger hunt highlights several items that are unique to cathedrals, such as the cathedra (the chair in the sanctuary that is reserved for the archbishop when he celebrates Mass in St. Louis Cathedral); and the Metropolitan Cross, which is held aloft by the lead altar server when the archbishop processes into the cathedral.
Also announcing the cathedral’s status in Catholic Louisiana are the flags not only of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, but also of the state’s six other dioceses. Other flags represent the papacy, the cathedral’s coat of arms and the United States.

“The flags are obviously a big hit because a lot of people want to know why there are so many flags hanging – they catch people’s eyes as they walk in,” Scheuermann said.

To choose her scavenger hunt items, Scheuermann talked to some of the tour guides “because they know what people ask a lot of questions about. They know what catches people’s eyes.“

Making the cut is the pulpit, known for its magnificent, shell-shaped overhang, and the cathedral’s vibrantly colored ceiling murals, whose subjects include St. Louis King of France and his crusaders, the Lamb of God and the four evangelists.

One detail that amazes adults and children alike is the number of pipes in St. Louis Cathedral’s organ – 4,600.

The scavenger hunt invites children to locate and take photos of some of the major items and features.

“They know how to use phones better than half of the adults!” Scheuermann said. “The goal is for them to find different aspects of the cathedral and the different parts that are in a Catholic church.”
Those who finish the scavenger hunt receive a prize from the gift shop – a rubber wristband with the cathedral’s name.

Scheuermann, who has noticed an uptick in the number of tour groups and field trips to the site, especially since the beginning of the school year, said the scavenger hunt is “not really geared to a specific age group.”

“We see as many adults walking around with the (scavenger hunt) pamphlets as we do kids,” Scheuermann said. “Parents really like it. It keeps their kids interested while they’re walking around. But I also think a lot of teachers appreciate it. We’ll get teachers who take it home to use in their own classrooms.”

Self-guided tour pamphlets for both adults and children are located in St. Louis Cathedral’s vestibule, next to the left-hand set of doors leading into church. A $1 donation is requested from those who take a children’s or adult guide. St. Louis Cathedral is located at 615 Père Antoine Alley, New Orleans. To arrange a field trip to the cathedral, visit www.stlouiscathedral.org. A tour inquiry form is available under the “About” tab on the homepage.