Mission Basilica

Mission Basilica in Monterey Peninsula, California is also called the San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission. The mission started in 1771 in order to bring God to the faithful people of Monterey. Today the parish is still used for daily and weekly services. The mission is set up like an Abbey or Monastery in that it has a rectangular design with the buildings protecting an inner courtyard.

Mass schedules are available online and at the Basilica. They hold at least six services on Sunday with English and Spanish. They also have a Saturday evening mass, and weekday masses from 7am to 5:30pm. These masses can be held at Mission Basilica or at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The chapel is part of the Mission grounds, but is relatively new compared to the older Mission.

Carmel Mission is part of the Junipero Serra School, which connects other Missions in California into an elementary school, with concentrations in general education and religion.

There is a museum on the premises with a variety of artifacts from the original mission. Each displayed item has a rich history, both in spiritual and natural elements. The museum has a catenary ceiling that has 30 foot reredos and 5 foot thick walls.