Comforting thought

During our weekend stay in St. Louis we strolled down Lindell Boulevard to the cathedral basilica to see for ourselves what Dcn. Frank at St. Paul’s (back home) had so excitedly shared about his visit years ago.

Massive edifice

Regarded as one of the largest mosaic installations in the Western Hemisphere, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is also known for its burial crypts and its outdoor sculpture, The Angel of Harmony, that epitomizes racial accord.  The massive stone-grey edifice, visited by Pope John Paul II in 1999, is topped by a striking green dome that boldly proclaims its undeniable presence in the neighborhood even from afar.

For me, entering the dimly lit vestibule was like stepping into a medieval masterpiece, only dark and foreboding for lack of white space.  I felt stifled by this looming sense of something bigger than life waiting past the inner doors.  Nothing prepared me for the sensory overload that blinded my third eye, rendering it useless on site (sight) the moment I entered the colossal nave.  My little Coolpix could never do any of this justice! I thought.  I’ll have to rely mostly on Steven’s shots with the big camera.

Comforting thought

I didn’t know what to do.  Steven kept insisting that I “pick a spot.”  But there was so much— too much, really— that, after standing there counting the pews to determine the middle, I chose an outer aisle seat on the left and simply sat.  Immersed in my quiet solitude, I just knew that Sunday morning Mass at St. Mary of Victories would be more in keeping with who and what I am than Saturday evening Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

       

           

       

           

           

           

           

            

       

           

        

Prayers

Fortify me with the grace of your Holy Spirit and give your peace to my soul that I may be free from all needless anxiety, solicitude, and worry.  Help me to desire always that which is pleasing and acceptable to you so that your will may be my will (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini).

Loving God, I give myself to you.  Take my day with its sorrows and joys.  Give me what you wish (James Kubicki, SJ, in A Year of Daily Offerings, 2016).

Most high, glorious God, bring light to the darkness of my heart.  Give me right faith, certain hope, and perfect charity.  God give me insight and wisdom, so that I might always discern your holy and true will.

November 14, 2016

When does God speak to us?  He speaks at all times, especially in prayer.  Prayer is a conversation with God.  But it is not a monologue.  When we pray, then, we should also listen because a good conversationalist is also a good listener (Fr. Kilian J. Healy in Awakening Your Soul to Presence of God).

March 14, 2017

“Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God’s sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God” (Thomas à Kempis).

November 19, 2017

When I wake up every morning I say, “Lord, thank you for giving me another day.  Please grant me the grace to hear and obey you today.”  While it only takes a few seconds, that simple prayer sets the tone for the entire day.

Each new day is a gift from the Lord. Beginning with prayer keeps the distractions of daily life at bay, so that we do not lose sight of God’s plan (Gary Zimak in Faith, Hope, and Clarity: How to Know God’s Will).

Links of interest…  5 of the most beautiful churches in America…  Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis: about / facebook / history / photos / tours / video / website…  Difference between a basilica & a cathedral…  Heavenly St. Louis (tours)…  Mother Cabrini’s first miracle…  Photos: The most unusual churches in the world…  Prayer: lexionary / litany…  St. Louis, king of France: 10 things to know / admirable king / Aug 25 / life (1903 ebook) / patron of barbers & grooms / wise man…  Year of daily offerings (p. 254)…

WP posts…  Heart of hearts…  Noon visit…  Old cathedral…  Sunday morning visit

Old cathedral

October was a good month for travel and heartfelt wishes realized.  While in St. Louis, Missouri, we delighted in sunny daylight hours, lots of friendly folks, and three sacred spaces— the last of which was “the old cathedral,” the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, in the city’s historic downtown area.

      

      

      

      

         

         

         

      

      

      

            

Prayer

O God who called your servant, Louis of France, to an earthly throne that he might advance your heavenly kingdom and gave him zeal for your Church and love for your people, mercifully grant that we who commemorate him this day may be fruitful in good works and attain to the glorious crown of your saints through Jesus Christ, our lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever (James E. Keifer in Justus Anglican).

October 28, 2016

If God sends adversity receive it in patience, give thanks to our savior and think you have deserved it and that he will turn it to his advantage.  If he sends prosperity, thank him humbly so that you become not worse from pride or any other cause, but better.  For we should not fight against God with his own gifts (St. Louis of France; edited).

November 24, 2016

“In prosperity give thanks to God with humility and fear lest, by pride, you abuse God’s benefits and so offend him” (St. Louis IX).

Links of interest…  Fire of 1849: about / Laclede’s Landing…  Gateway Arch…  Heavenly St. Louis (tours)…  Old St. Louis Cathedral: basilica (more) / history / photos / video…  Prayer: lexionary / litany…  St. Louis, king of France: 10 things to know / admirable king / Aug 25 / life (1903 ebook) / patron of barbers & grooms / wise man…

WP posts…  Comforting thought…  Serendipity…  Sunday morning visit