Holy Innocents Parish, Long Beach

Holy Innocents Parish was founded on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12, 1923. Pius XI was pope and John J. Cantwell was bishop of the then Los Angeles-San Diego Diocese. Calvin Coolidge was President of the United States.

Holy Innocents is one of 288 parishes that make up the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Archbishop José Gómez is our shepherd in communion with our Holy Father, Pope Francis.

Our parish has been the home to a future canonized saint as well as a Prince of the Church. Venerable Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament, foundress of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart, came to Long Beach in 1927 as a refugee from the fierce persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico. While she was here, she attended Mass in our parish church and taught catechism to the parish children.

Let us pray for the beatification of Mother Luisita and ask of God many favors through her intercession. See the "Prayer for the Beatification of Mother Luisita" at the bottom of this page.

Additionally, His Eminence Cardinal William Levada, Prefect Emeritus of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was baptized in our parish church and spent the first 11 years of his Christian life as a member of Holy Innocents Parish.

Over nine decades, Holy Innocents has undergone many changes. One surprising fact is that our "little parish" is now the second largest in Long Beach in terms of overall population (St. Anthony's is the largest). Moreover, our expansive parish boundaries circumscribe one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the United States.

Click the links to learn more about Venerable Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Cardinal William Levada.

PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF MOTHER LUISITA

O Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, King and center of all hearts! Look with merciful love on the petitions we present to You through the intercession of Your servant, Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

(Pause and request your petition)

We humbly beseech You to glorify her who was always such a fervent lover of Your Sacred Heart by granting us these favors if they are for Your greater honor and glory. Amen.