I agree with the person who said that the people accusing her of babbling were not understanding…read morethe point. I also think it's likely that she chooses who she wants to read based on their energy. I came in around 4:30 without an appointment. I first talked to her husband Allen at the front desk. She was on the phone with a client and he said I could ask her when she was done if she could do a reading for me. It was $200/hr but I heard wonderful things about her from locals in the community and thought it was worth it for an authentic experience. She did not disappoint. When she came out at first she talked to Allen for a few minutes as if I was not there. I patiently waited and looked around. Not long after she welcomed me back. She started just by talking generally. I could tell this whole time she was sizing me up. I was open, respectful and patiently listened, but didn't give out anything about myself. After about 15 minutes she started the reading. I could tell her demeanor changed in what seemed to me like she was at times being talked through, channeling in different connections. This was not the rambling of an incoherent person or on drugs, as some ignorant, insulting reviews said. I observed her in typical conversation and while channeling spirit and you can see the difference. Yes, it did sound like rambling at times, but everything was highly connected to situations in my life. Also, what person in their 80s isn't going to go on a tangent here and there?! Be respectful, as if you are talking with your own grandmother. At times, she would come slightly out of the channeling and give practical, kind advice, based on what came through... or at least that is how I experienced it. I felt I could tell the difference in her mannerisms when channeling vs conversations. This went back and forth, reading, channeling, guiding, for 2 hours. We both lost track of time and since I asked for an hour she did not give me a set price and only said to pay what I felt was fair. I respected that incredibly. Not everything she said was polite or great news, but everything was incredibly real and relevant. News flash: life isn't always polite, good news. At times we laughed together. At times I cried and I felt empathy from her. I felt a genuine connection and looking in her eyes saw a pure soul. Although it was far from what I expected or experienced in any other type of reading, it was a beautiful experience that I'm grateful for. We ended after 7pm when Allen came to get her for dinner. I asked to take a picture with her at the end and she allowed me to. I felt truly privileged to experience her gift. I'll never forget some of her most practical advice... it's not all about me. :) Thank you, Mambo Miriam.

Not sure of anything, The phone call when I tried to get an appointment (short notice tho,as was my…read moretrip) but since I had an unplanned 2 day stay in Nola and really wanted to get a spiritual reading. I never get to New Orleans on a planned trip. When I got someone on phone, I was kinda harshly, I should have got appointment weeks ahead, I explained why I has not but was treated like a was more of a irritation to ask for that so I just never had someone act that way. So... I took that as a divine sign they are not my place to be or use. Would I recommend? probably not, being the way I was spoken too, i wouldn't want to recommend and they get spoken to in a rude way. But to each its own.

The St. Ann Shrine was a unique experience years ago when I was in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. At…read morethe time, funding was iffy and the Shine did not have regular hours. So, it was hit or miss to experience it. The ladies were great that ran the Shrine for their dedication and conviction to making the Shrine an Oasis in the City. The grounds were beautifully kept and had other statue stations for individual prayer inside and outside the Shrinr. The most memorable ritual at the Shrine was praying the Rosary on your knees up the flight of stairs. This was not easy and knee pads are a must! After you finished the Rosary and were upstairs this is where the actual St. Ann Statue was locared. New Orleans is a very Catholic city and they practice Catholicism in a much more hands on manner than up North where I hail from. I was envious that I did not have such a place in my neighborhood to incorporate and expand being Catholic beyond Church and the Mass. Please do keep this landmark alive for future generations. This is a great example of rich and special religious culture. Thank you Staff of the Shrine for your hard work and dedication !

Walking up the stairs is considered disrespectful; one must kneel while ascending and descending…read morethe stairs. Interesting place.

What a beautiful old church! Whenever I am in town for a Sunday Mass, this is my preferred church…read moreto attend it in. From the outside, it isn't much to look at. Kind of like many of the homes in the Quarter but walk inside and it's Oh My! Immaculate Conception looks just like the Old World Catholic churches in Europe. And as old as it looks and beautiful too it can also be very modern. For the first time in my life I saw a collection basket with an electronic credit card reader! Don't have cash, no problem! Forgot to bring your weekly envelope with a check inside, no problem! Just whip out that plastic, select your amount on the screen and tap! I about fell out of my pew when I saw that this past weekend. Amazing! An usher told me later that it has increased collections because people don't like to carry cash. What a novel idea!

Very happy that on our last day here (Thursday) we found that they open the door to the public. We…read morewalked by this church multiple times on our way back and fort to our hotel and French Quarter and was sad that it was closed to the public for viewing and prayers. Glad that it was open the last time we made our walk back to the hotel. I live church architectural structure. Very unique and just really amazing to look at.

Came here for the free dinner a couple weeks back, and was very impressed. Best Indian food I've…read morehad in Louisiana. Only thing missing was the naan (though the little frybreads they serve made a decent substitute). The line wasn't terrible when we arrived, a few minutes before they opened the doors. The way it works is you take a plate and are served a smallish portion of each dish... and they were all excellent and fully vegetarian. There was yellow dal, rice, salad, vegetable stew, some kind of gram flour dumplings, and an amazing pudding, the ingredients of which I couldn't quite place. And the lemonade provided the perfect palate cleanser. By the front door, they sell extras like dessert and samosas. I tried the latter, and they were as good as any I'd buy in a restaurant. The main eating area is outdoors near a screen where they were showing an animated film. Seconds are allowed, and I got another half plate. I will most definitely return.

This.review is for the sunday dinner they do. Be prepared…read morefor a line and don't park your bicycle across the street. The uptight asshole neighbor hates it when you do that. Tonight he called the cops. What a douche. Anyways. The food is really yummy. Tastes like indian food. It's spicy for the weak but I loved it. Tonight it was white rice, a plain salad, this sort of creamy carrot and corn thing and this really tasty cardamom number with these sort of seitan type meat balls. (see photo) They don't cook meat and they don't use onion and garlic (food of passion). It seemed to start around 6:30 and we got there around 8:30 when the line dies down. But they ran out of one of the items. The food costs what you feel like donating. We did $5 each. I suggest bringing your own containers with lids. They use styrofoam plates. And they don't seem to recycle here in New Orleans. Seating is outside or inside. And there all kinds of different walks of life. I'm definitely going again!! Very friendly people. Very good food.

Father Murphy is a wonderful priest who was so kind to me. He blessed my new rosary and my Bible…read moreand my book of angels. The Holy water was so appreciated. Thankful for the beautiful hands of a priest. The church is historical and gorgeous and certainly deserves a visit and tour. Lovely.

As one of the largest churches in Louisiana, St. Joseph has a history that dates back over 130…read moreyears. It's not just big, but is architecturally impressive for a place of worship, especially in a place in NOLA. In fewer words, it is beautiful inside and out. I attended a wedding here recently and loved it all. It's a church with vintage vibes but on a gramdee scale. The upkeep can't be easy, but the staff has done a great job in maintaining its aesthetic. The acoustics are quite good, there is ample room for all guests, and a good amount of parking. I've been told the masses are well attended, but that it's never too crowded due to the massive space. It's easy to wander around in here and get lost in the various rooms, statue spots, I've seen and been in quite a few St. Joseph churches but this is among the most unique and magnificent I've experienced thus far.

This place is very disappointing. There is no community outreach otherwise there would be an…read moreinfusion of youth and energy in this place. With football games and stadiums full of energy around the country, this place is less than 1/5th Full. It is completely incomprehensible that while stadiums are full, this place has every other bench isle roped off, but there's not even enough people to fill the other seats. If you want to snooze in the middle of the day this is a perfect place to go. Not only does something feel off here, if you're looking for a place full of energy, to keep you awake during a spiritual teaching, this is not the place. I've had dentist appointments that were more exciting than attending this spiritual center. Where is the youth? where are the parents and the children? One hast to ask these questions, because if it church is dying it is dying because of its leadership and it is not bringing in parental units with their children to teach them what is A very productive message. However the delivery must be as exciting as the message itself. I have been here five times and out of those five times there has not been much in the way of different faces or bodies filling the seats. A spiritual center which can seat approximately 300 is seating about 25 people. That tells me not only does this have to do with the ridiculous mandates and laws against spiritual centers and churches and how many people may attend, it also Makes a very strong statement about how the community Embraces or excepts a particular spiritual center. If you're looking for a snooze fest this place is it. What happened to this place? It started out with an industrious and glorious past. It looks as if it's fallen on hard times. This can only be attributed to the inability of leader ship to pull people in from the community. They need great oratory Speakers, not mediocre ones. It would seem they just don't have what it takes to create a level of excitement around a spiritual commitment. In a case like this, soft spoken demure and whisper type oratory does not keep the energy up or the excitement circulating. A lecture is what is done in a college or University Hall. A teaching must be able to reach the congregation on a personal level. Pragmatic is fine, but lacking exuberance and enthusiasm does not keep the attention of your congregation. Possibly, this is exactly why this place isn't Filling 1/5 it's seats. Unity, standing there since probably the 1950s has not progressed to become a leader and its own community. I've had more excitement getting my teeth cleaned in the dentist chair. I guess this visitor to New Orleans is going to need to find another place where the energy is uplifting and the message is clear and the people filling the seats I'm not on their way out, but are on their way in and ready to live life.

Unity is a warm and welcoming place with many classes and activities promoting spiritual growth.read more