The Mission of the Archdiocese of St. Louis
To be His Church and live His Gospel… joyfully striving to fulfill our Baptismal calling by prayer and worship, teaching and sharing our faith, serving others, and fostering unity in diversity, committing ourselves to be responsible stewards of all God’s gifts.
Our Impact
Below is the 2026 statistical data for the Archdiocese of St. Louis
Total Population: 2,275,000
Total Number of Catholics: 442,228
Percent of Population that is Catholic: 19%
Bishops: 2
Diocesan Priests: 279
Religious Priests: 263
Religious Sisters: 818
Religious Brothers: 94
Permanent Deacons: 266
(2026-27 school year)
Elementary Schools (K-8): 86
Elementary School Enrollment (K-8): 20,476
Pre-School Enrollment: 3,856
High Schools: 24
High School Enrollment: 10,365
Elementary PSR Enrollment (2025-26): 9,985
Number of Parishes: 139
Baptisms (Age 0-6): 4,039
Received into the Church (including Baptisms Age 7+): 1,266
First Communions: 4,649
Confirmations: 4,580
Catholic Marriages: 878
Interfaith Marriages: 279
Total: 1,157
Funerals: 3,019
Our Patron Saints
St. Louis, Missouri, honors three patron saints: Louis IX for his virtues and Christian influence, St. Vincent de Paul for compassion and service, and St. Rose Philippine Duchesne for missionary spirit and education. Together, they inspire a community rooted in faith, compassion, and service.
St. Louis, King of France
“I think more of the place where I was baptized than of Rheims Cathedral where I was crowned. It is a greater thing to be a child of God than to be the ruler of a Kingdom. This last I shall lose at death, but the other will be my passport to an everlasting glory.”
St. Rose
Philippine Duchesne
“I am where God wills me to be, and so I have found rest and security. His wisdom governs me, His power defends me, His grace sanctifies me, His mercy encompasses me, His joy sustains me and all will go well with me.”
St. Vincent de Paul
“We cannot better assure our eternal happiness than by living and dying in the service of the poor, in the arms of Providence, and with genuine renouncement of ourselves in order to follow Jesus Christ.”
Our History
The Archdiocese of St. Louis has a rich history dating back to its establishment as a diocese on July 18, 1826, when it was carved out of the Diocese of Louisiana and the Two Floridas. The diocese was elevated to archdiocese status in 1847, reflecting its growing influence in the region. The early Catholic presence was shaped by French and Spanish settlers, and the archdiocese played a crucial role in the expansion of the Church in the Midwest.
Throughout the years, the archdiocese has been a center for Catholic education, healthcare, and social services, and has been led by notable figures, including Cardinal John J. Glennon and Cardinal Joseph Ritter, who played pivotal roles in advancing civil rights. Today, the archdiocese continues its mission of faith, education, and community service, serving a diverse and vibrant Catholic population in the Missouri region.
Coat of Arms
The blazon and significance of the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, as written by William F. J. Ryan to Rev. Msgr. John P. Cody, on September 12, 1946:
Archdiocese of St. Louis Shield
“Shield is ornamented with a large gold cross, as the central figure. The Latin cross fleury is displayed in honor of the French origin of the city of St. Louis. This cross is replete with significance; the French missionaries; the penance, fasting, and heroic sanctity of Louis IX of France, saint and King; a commemoration of the true Crown of Thorns and a portion of the Cross of Calvary in Jerusalem, and their reservation in St. Chapelle in Paris; the two crusades of St. Louis.
The crown fleury represents Louis IX as King, rather than as Saint.
The tinctures, blue and gold, are those of the arms of Pope Leo XII who established the diocese. A crown, also, is contained in this coat-of-arms of Pope Leo XII.
The bar wavy, of course, is for the Mississippi river.
The silver crescent has a double significance. It is from the coat-of-arms in the Seal of Missouri, and also represents our Blessed Mother, Patroness of the United States under the title of the Immaculate Conception.”