Saint John Cantius: Restoring the Sacred

Released in 2008
The true story of a dying parish miraculously restored to life.
ON ASSIGNMENT investigates how a decaying old church in Chicago became a thriving religious and cultural treasure. Once an integral part of Chicago's Northwest-side, Saint John Cantius Parish fell victim to the city's numerous street and freeway expansions. Frequented more by pigeons than people for nearly 30 years, the church was destined for the wrecking ball when Father Frank Phillips, a priest with no parish experience, was appointed pastor. Soon after his arrival, Father Phillips was inspired with an idea that would change everything.
Masterfully photographed, with key scenes underscored by the sacred music of Saint John Cantius orchestra and choirs, ON ASSIGNMENT's presentation of this incredible true story will leave you believing in miracles.

[@completetaxadvantage-cta1086]

It's the return to the Latin mass that brought people back.... the sacred, reverent, beautiful, solemn, joyful.

[@pipsasqeak820]

Have you seen how they did there Ordinary Form masses? It's how it should be done

[@noobforpresident2024]

@PipSaSqeak The traditional Latin mass is what was original. What people thought was right 40-50 years ago, isn't exactly right now. The Latin mass was, is, and always will be.

[@hiuszenoom809]

@@pipsasqeak820 Now a lot of ordinary masses become crown mass, bubbles Mass and liturgical dancing mass…etc.

[@aznxchange01]

apparently the current pope doesnt see or doesnt want to see that

[@Nicole32301]

I prefer the liturgy in the vernacular with the entire liturgy is chanted without any instruments but our voices.

[@nicolaushess8816]

This is wonderful. Even I am coming from Germany to the USA I am at home, because in catholic church we are family.

[@Fred-qe5dl]

I live in the suburbs but after discovering this church I drive 45 min to an hour and go there now. Very reverent celebration of the mass.

[@coachchris548]

St. John Cantius pray for the restoration of our souls to Christ thru the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

[@marthalyles400]

Proving again and again that the true, the good and the beautiful is what draws good people to God.

[@timothymacdonnell9079]

This is the church where I watch the Latin mass. What a blessing!

[@TheDoriette]

I'd venture into Chicago just to see this church.

[@phatcrayonz]

What about the Chicago Cubs?

[@kaypedroza5996]

My husband said his knees locked when he was blessed to visit it. So make sure you hold onto something!

[@peaceandjoy2568]

We want the TLM.

[@Mommyandtux]

The beauty is amazing... surely God is with them! I pray for 1,000 more St. John Cantiusesque parishes throughout the world - THESE are the parishes the Church needs to revive the Roman Rite, especially after the tumultuous years of the 1970's through 1990's when the devil destroyed so much in the Church and desecrated so many temples of God.

[@Sherlock910]

If by revive you mean to bring back from extinction, that's hardly accurate. The old Roman Rite is alive and actually growing, as we speak. It's still dwarfed by the Novus Ordo, but it sure is making its strides. I actually believe that parishes like St. John Cantius will actually help to introduce the TLM to far more people in the long run than even the mainline traditionalist groups within the bosom of the Church.

[@rosiegirl2485]

Vatican ll called for holding onto the true and the beautiful. There were many people who thought the Church needed to be modernized. The problem wasn't Vatican ll, it came after when whoever was in barge of the "New Mass" They didn't include anything that Vatican ll was saying to keep. In the years that followed people fell away from the Church. I believe it had everything to do with the lack of reverence. Then when Pope Benedict XVI spoke for the Trinitine Mass...there was an explosion of those who were drawn back to the beauty and the reverence of the old Mass...especially the youth! All proof that the Holy Spirit is always in control and guiding our Church!

[@Ash-xp8fd]

I visited this parish shortly after converting, and it was such a beautiful experience. Truly wonderful!

[@williamcurrie4482]

You are so lucky

[@briandelaney9710]

“Beauty will save the world “

[@denimcowboy501]

This Church and everything they do is so inspiring, its got to spread to other cities. This is the true renewal - a restoration. God Bless you guys!

[@enriqueperez8780]

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

[@joshbryan486]

Absolutely Love this production!! My bride and I will have to visit this Beautiful Holy Parish!❤️

[@NavajoLion]

We miss you Fr. Philips!

[@annakawano9886]

wow so beautiful. I wish all churches would do that maybe, some day.

[@JoeyDecay]

I wish I hadn't left the Catholic Church, or waited until I moved away from this area to return. Now that I've moved back to the suburbs I am traveling to the city to attend mass here twice a week. It is truly amazing and I'm blessed to have such a beautiful mass to attend and building to celebrate it in. I just wish I had been able to meet Fr Phillips. Unfortunately he left 4 years ago but we have a great pastor, Fr Caswell now and many great associate pastors

[@hismajestysmen]

Fr Phillips still lives in Chicago and I’ve enjoyed a few Sunday lunches with him when I’m in town.

[@sheiladumigan451]

I hope this parish is still growing!! Sounds like a wonderful parish.

[@joannabuk]

Right for the Holy Traditional Latin Mass!

[@adamastorBassBar]

What a truly inspiring story! This is where I would choose to go to Mass if I lived in Chcago: I hope that I may visit some day.

[@johnrhilramos9982]

I pray and hope that you may expand your mission here in the Philippines.

[@avantibev7759]

Restore our INNOCENT pastor to our parish!

[@BetterKateThanEver]

Yes, Cdl Cupich (the one who led a pagan prayer and ritual at a catholic high school in January 2020. Return the good pastor to his parish!!

[@catherinemasden4897]

Wonderful accomplishments... I hope I can come to Chicago sometime soon and participate in a Latin mass..... the Pastor is one incredible gentleman

[@Larseus]

Proud to be a Chicagoan, such a beautiful church! Peace be with everyone!

[@avantibev7759]

No longer proud to be a Chicagoan, but when I leave Chi THIS PARISH OF MINE will be one of the things I miss.

[@MrAntennaBall]

Heck, I’m not even from the Midwest but I feel proud of it too! LOL! If I kick the bucket without ever seeing Prague, I’d be more than happy to be in ChiTown instead to visit St.Jan Kanty and some of my cousins there too. Heheh!

[@turbowitz2574]

My maternal grandfather, Frank Poleski (Franciszek Polewski, born Wiślica, 1896 or 1897) probably attended here, as he lived in a rooming house down the street at 1023 West Lake Street, underneath the El. Dunno how he got any sleep with all that racket. He left Chicago in October 1917, never to return, when he enlisted in the Polish Army, later known as Haller's Army, and fought on the Western Front, and later in the Polish-Bolshevik War. He remained in Poland and became a farmer near Szubków, now Шубків in western Ukraine. RIP Dziadzia, 1976.

[@jaketaylor2923]

Was he here or holy trinity, or Stanislaus Kostka?

[@marydolan6953]

This is a beautiful church. My late husband got so much out of going there even though we went a distance to get there.

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

What a wonderful encouragement in this era of closing congregations. A marvellous commitment on the part of the minister and congregation.

[@billa1870]

Thank you for this video. I actually discovered it by accident. I felt like I was actually there as I watched it. I no longer live in Chicago, but I used to bring my mother to this church when I visited her. She passed away in 2004. I no longer visit Chicago; nevertheless, I thank you for the great memories.

[@rosiegirl4751]

What a beautiful story, and all for the glory of God!

[@martavance3900]

Pass 5years or more and now looking this video and cry because is the church real church ✝️ follow San John Cantus church God Bless all !! Thank you 🙏✝️

[@wendyflanagan5738]

I am so grateful to God and all your Catholic church for how your efforts and prayerfulness have restored the beautiful church. My own local Catholic church has closed. I follow Mass online.

[@vyh-186]

I feel blessed by watching this beautiful video. I hope I could join in a Latin Mass one day. Thank you for sharing.

[@dbach7051]

What adds to to the sacredness is the MEN singing in Latin.

[@BrianThomas-nk5ec]

Cupich has to be the one “thumbs down.”

[@steventrosiek2623]

Cupich the modernist "Stupich".

[@josephmiller3672]

Funnily enough Cupich is actually a big fan of St. John Cantius and signed off on their constitutions.

[@VincentMMoore0]

Pray for Fr. Phillips and for the SJCs!

[@helenstacey7925]

Never forget, Never stop!

[@FARBOLUOS]

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻✝️✝️✝️

[@solitaris7181]

I loved this video, Padre Pio must be very happy to see the return of the Mass he used to celebrate; I truly hope and wish that it would come back as it used to before Vatican Council II. For I've realised over the years that the true Mass is the Traditionnal Mass, it's the Mass of all past Saints, wherever it's celebrated it wakes up vocation, lots of vocation as in the old days. So may Padre Pio bring back the Mass, with all its beauty and sacredness come back full force everywhere around the world, amen in the name of Christ, may it be so.

[@c.inesr.7292]

This really touched my heart. Thank you and God Bless.

[@JamesMartinelli-jr9mh]

The soul requires beauty.

[@gregorydsouza1330]

Praise the lord Jesus Christ 🙏 and mother Mary 🙏 for being St Johan cantius church being restored for the people of Chicago

[@AndrzejzBuffalo]

Beautifully edited. Great storytelling.

[@gregorydsouza1330]

Praise the lord Jesus Christ 🙏 and mother Mary 🙏

[@ferexpress6464]

That's the spring of the church: the restoration of the latin mass that brought faithful back to the church

[@miasantos1422]

What a beautiful film, such beauty." Built for God" it's really an awesome church. Even the floor " catechizes"

[@toussaintmary]

I love the brothers and their beautiful liturgy. Our Lady revealed them to us during the lockdowns

[@roxanardh]

This needs to be made into a movie. What a fantastic story.

[@sunflower-mc2zo]

Beautiful church!! We don't have these kind of old look churches in California.

[@davehartley8292]

You sure do. Look up INstitute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, 3-chapels, and Society of St Pius X, (SSPX) under Locations, there's 9 of them. We attend St Stanislaus in Milwaukee, and would never go back to the "novus ordo."

[@sanderb1769]

@@davehartley8292 The Traditional Mass is very beautifull indeed. Please do keep attending them, but stop attending the SSPX churches. The SSPX masses are simply not valid. They are protestants in Catholic clothes, dividing the Church in a time it is already being divided by liberals and traditionalists. We have no need for separatist groups.

[@katehaskins5260]

Love this story!! I hope I can visit someday. Lex Orandi, lex credendi

[@fl5337]

I lived inChicago for forty years and never got down to see this beautiful place.

[@JamesMartinelli-jr9mh]

If there is no: beauty, goodness, truth - then it isn't Catholic.

[@aderiveraa.2775]

How beautiful is to LOVE ❤️ GOD IN YOUR HEART ❤️!!!

[@Salve_Regina8]

Us young adults love Tradition. Make Mass Latin Again!!

[@joseluismachain3962]

Thank You so much for everything Your doing to the building and specially to and for the Mass. Blessings. Keep the Confessions. Going. Revive the Faith.

[@maxkol4380]

Like St. Francis your mission is to rebuild the Church

[@sheiladumigan451]

Thank you!!!

[@lorrainedibello1821]

What a beautiful and amazing story Father. God is good💞

[@12dudette]

wonderful!!

[@capecodder04]

What a great story!!!!

[@datusumakwel644]

I hope they also brought back the Latin mass here in the Philippines.

[@carolstefan7662]

Out of respect for Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist all women when entering and Catholic Church should cover their heads with a veil!!!

[@countryboy100]

I believe the Holy Spirit led me from Novus Ordo to Tridentine a few years ago to escape the shenanigans going on in the former.

[@seldallas]

Very sad and tragic that the priest who brought life back to the Church, the liturgy, vocations and the faithful is being persecuted for doing the Lord’s work. He has done a tremendous job and yet after being innocent of what appears bogus charges is not allowed back to public ministry. Not even this video is allowed on the parish website. I believe Cupich and his buddies are jealous and have given their lives to Satan. Not other explanation for sidelining faithful priests.

[@lucimar2255]

Obrigada por tão linda missão de vocês. Conte com nossas orações e auxílio financeiro.

[@dbach7051]

I wish they were in my area of the USA

[@phatcrayonz]

Tlm is the future

[@Fedko3037]

Amazing. Truly.

[@rmp7400]

Only the Roman (Latin language) Mass of Jesus Christ's Holy Sacrifice ...has the Divine power and grace to make so many saints out of so many sinners. That is the reason why Satan - and anyone who serves Satan - - hates this Mass enough to condemn / suppress it.

[@jaimemorgan5323]

If the Tridentine Mass offers the sacred, what does the Novus Ordo offer? Why keep a foot in both camps, when clearly what the flock needs and thirsts for is available only in the TLM? To say the Novus Ordo rite in Latin is certainly an addition to (or subtraction from) that rite.

[@spmoran4703]

In the town of Warrington UK . There is a similar church St Mary's . The Latin Mass is what is performed . I go to it. The Latin Mass is magical.

[@hotconcrete]

What they have and are doing at St. John Cantius is what Pope Benedict XVI hoped would happen with the Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo being offered side-by-side and both done reverently. There are some people who venerate the Latin Mass and others who are more comfortable with the Novus Ordo. And then in time he had a hope that a Mass would eventually come that embraced the best of all. I fear that Pope Francis is not allowing Benedict's vision to come to fruition and my additional fear is the New Evangelization willed by Vatican II will be stymied.

[@lubitagunsiong7923]

Thank you God.

[@SandraL024]

Beautiful church! I just wish it was air conditioned. ^_^ Oh well, I'll just offer it up.

[@paulyosef7550]

NO, no way.We have many fans. Here they go to modernize and destroy our church.

[@larikipe940]

Awe, come on, William. Lighten up. The candles are melting, the floor is buckling, parishioners are passing out left and right. Surely a nice air conditioning system isn't going to ruin your church. Fans don't quite cut it when its 100 degrees out and 98 % humidity.

[@paididoy]

@@larikipe940 , those who don't want to sacrifice, must not attend this church!

[@matthewgariano1804]

Years ago when they showed their Mass on EWTN it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life, till then or since!

[@MrAntennaBall]

Sancti Jan Kanty, ora pro nobis.

[@DonVueltaMorales]

Sancte (vocative case, addressing someone).🙂

[@suzanneguiho4882]

Now they should say the mass of the time of st John Catius...at orientem!

[@peterlynch5597]

V*

[@juanaguilar5048]

Did Father Phillip mean to say 1962

[@dorianlelong]

What is the name of the hymn at 19:25?

[@DonVueltaMorales]

"O Lord, I Am Not Worthy": kzbin.info/www/bejne/roiQmZebq6eEr9E.

[@gregorydsouza1330]

The catholic Church under vatican under pope for the service of people

[@mariaregina6983]

Are these masses Tridentine or Norvus Ordo in latin?

[@vincenta_2]

Maria Regina the Parish celebrates both forms of the Roman Rite, Ordinary Form (Novus Ordo), and Extraordinary Form (Tridentine).

[@mariaregina6983]

Thank you both very much!!! 🙏😍😊

[@davehartley8292]

THey are the ORIGINAL Tridentine Mass, as proscribed by Pope St Pius V in 1571.

[@jaimemorgan5323]

@@vincenta_2 I wondered why a traditional Mass centre would not follow the traditions prescribed for music and head-coverings on women. A puzzling fusion.

[@piotrs.8720]

@@vincenta_2 both ?! Protestant rite and catholic ?! get away !

[@jmccallion2394]

Now being destroyed by Cupich!