Andrew Masi attends Mass in almost every Catholic cathedral and basilica in the United States he has visited to photograph.

This Catholic from the Diocese of Bridgeport in Connecticut also makes time to talk to the people of these great churches — priests, religious, staff, and parishioners. He’s on an ambitious pilgrimage to visit and photograph all the U.S. cathedrals and basilicas and share photos of them online.

Masi, 37, photographed the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, the mother church of the Paterson Diocese, in 2021. He talked to a woman there, who gave him a spiritual boost. She told him, “God wants you to bring the Good News to the people through your amateur photography.”

Known as “The Catholic Photographer,” Masi first visited St. John’s in 2008, when he met the late Msgr. Mark Giordani, the former St. John’s rector. Masi returned for the priests’ ordination in 2017. He was awed by the $17.4 million renovation to the cathedral’s interior and exterior dedicated weeks before his visit.

“St. John’s Cathedral is a beautiful, majestic church, like the cathedrals of Europe with its organ and statues. I like that it’s located in a diverse community,” Masi said. “The clergy is warm and welcoming, like Msgr. Geno [Sylva, St. John’s current rector and diocesan vicar for special projects].”

This skilled amateur shutterbug wants to inspire Catholics and non-Catholics with his multi-year project. He calls it a “virtual tour of these beautiful churches most people will never see.” Masi uploads his photos to online galleries.

Since he started in 2014, Masi has visited and photographed 104 Catholic cathedrals and 59 basilicas. He has 88 cathedrals and 34 basilicas left.

Masi originated the idea in April 2014, while attending Easter Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted work on the project.

“It has been a rewarding experience to visit and photograph these magnificent churches. It helped me to deepen my Catholic faith and build a better relationship with the Lord,” Masi said. “With each visit, I have wonderful opportunities to pray in these beautiful places of worship, take incredible pictures, and meet friendly people.”

Msgr. Sylva calls Masi’s project “a wonderful initiative to share the beauty of America’s cathedrals with people all around the world.”

“The beauty and grandeur of each cathedral draws people from far and wide to the faith of the church. It is the special place from which the bishop’s teaching is shared. The beauty of art expressed in each cathedral draws people to the divine and touches them with grace,” Msgr. Sylva said.

After photographing U.S. cathedrals and basilicas, Masi plans to visit and photograph churches in Canada, Mexico, South America, Australia, and Europe.

View Masi’s galleries of the U.S. cathedrals and basilicas he has photographed so far on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/197740215@N08/albums.
He also hosts Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube accounts.