
The foundation stone was blessed by Bishop Eugene in 1852. Work on the building was to last 40 ears. The colossal neo-Byzantine building was consecrated by Eugene’s third successor to the See of Marseille. It is 140 meters in length and the dome is 60 meters high inside. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Mary Major.
eternal rest. One of the graces I had during my few visits to Marseille was visiting this cathedral and the chapel with the Tomb of Our Saintly Founder. Simply I couldn’t resist visiting him every time I was coming to the city. The highlight of my time in Marseille was the Mass I celebrated on his Tomb. During his life he insisted that his Oblates would spend 30 minutes every evening together as a community before the Blessed Sacrament. The service called Orison is still practiced in Oblate Homes. For Eugene it was the way to connect with his spiritual sons. He would say: “At Orison, when we gather around the Lord we are close to each other too.” Celebrating the Mass at his Tomb I did feel the closeness he promised us.