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I am in Washington
DC where traces of the sniper whisper in the air. Before
me is the National Cathedral - a beautiful monument to Gothic
architecture, but where is the divine mystery? I thought
it more like a shopping Center. What was missing? As I think
of it now, maybe death? Maybe death was missing. Death in
which Life shines in opposition. Where is the reminder of
immortality over mortality - Life's triumph?
Now, what is interesting
to note is that there is not much artwork in this environment
- the more "moving" rooms were downstairs. One
was St. Joseph's Chapel. Both the chapels that stirred me
a little contained murals that affected the mood of the
space. Isn't that interesting? Overall, the place was a
bit too perfect and void, albeit architecturally magnificent.
It was no different to me than visiting the many castles
I have visited. Those too, were amazing structures of wealth,
will, and design. There was another chapel downstairs that
was darker, allowing light to pierce the air. That room
was intriguing, but it was not a room inspired - maybe more
the feeling of a class room of long ago where some great
knowledge would be given to hungry initiates.
Next stop was St Matthew's Cathedral, the seat of the Arch
Bishop of Washington and also where J.F.Kennedy's Requiem
Mass was held. Unfortunately, the entire Cathedral was under
cleaning and the interior was solid scaffolding. Still -
a warmer presence added to a more spiritual sense than I
felt at the National Cathedral. St. Mathew's is a hybrid
Byzantine / Romanesque Cathedral - and has a quantity of
art contributing to its interior environment - with out
it, even the colored marble throughout the interior could
not save it from being just an institutional building. (if
it sounds like I am making an argument for the value of
art and its worthwhile expense, I am). It was unfortunate
that the building was mostly covered up for renovation and
cleaning - maybe I would have a different impression otherwise.
The greatest amount of time was next spent at the Basilica
of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the
largest Catholic church in the Americas and numbered among
the largest churches in the world. The
internet does no justice to the power of the environment
(again, after previewing the Shrine
on the internet, my enthusiasm was low - I was wrong).
All I can say about the Crypt Church and the Great Upper
Church is that they are ALIVE WITH TEARS. The difference
between the National Cathedral And the National Shrine (of
the Immaculate Conception) is the difference between a government
building, and one that reflects active supplication. All
though I don't, from my studies,find evidence that leads
to intercessory favor of Saints or the Mother Mary as intercessor,
I was moved by this Church, filled with chapels and alters
to the venerated Virgin - each different - each a shrine
built in honor of the Mother of God, and in honor of her
Immaculate Conception as she is honored by the titles she
has carried over the centuries and around the world. There
are more than 60 chapels representing the multi-ethnicity
of the Catholic Church. Each different in design and decor
to reflect that ethnicity, or that place form the world
that shrine is dedicated. The church is AN INVITATION TO
PRAYER. I can't say enough about it. Even my friend who
took me there, a professed Atheist, felt moved and acknowledged
a sense of something beyond the intellectual or the emotional.
People were coming and going, kneeling and praying, lighting
candles, in silence, and crying - appealing to God.
The Church was built on Faith. "Faith," according
to the New Testament Letter, Hebrews, "is the realization
of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen."
Sounds like my Freedom ART Project.
This is a quote from the
Shrine web site: "...Bishop Shahan promoted his vision
of establishing a national shrine in the capital city. The
inaugural issue (of Salve Regina )referred to it as 'a monument
of love and gratitude, a great hymn in stone ... as perfect
as the art of man can make it and as holy as the intentions
of its builders could wish it to be.' "
Basilica of the National
Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a verb.
November continued
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Light So Sharp My Tongue Bleeds From Tasting the Stillness
>>11.21
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