Our visit to St. Faustina's Shrine of Divine Mercy was excellent. The chapel was set up on a hill about a quarter mile from the parking lot. The chapel itself was simple and beautiful. It was wonderful seeing so many nuns at prayer. Very close to the chapel was a very modern looking Church that many of us thought looked like a space ship. It was an interesting contrast to many of the much older Churches we had seen. While I tend to prefer the more old-fashioned architecture, I thought that the modern Church served as a sign of the current vibrant state of Catholicism in Poland.
I have a bit of a different view on the architecture than Jack...here is a brief article that I wrote for Hope's blog:
A Marvel and a Simple Joy: Holy Architecture in Poland
In general, churches in Poland are awe-inspiringly gorgeous. There is so much history filling each one to the brim! From ancient artworks to relics of the saints, each holy place held its own treasures. Altars dedicated to polish saints and the Blessed Mother topped with black and gold intricately carved decoration flanked the sides of many churches. In America we are used to just one main altar; in Poland, they do not limit themselves to one, or even to five! The incredible artistic detail and impressive scale certainly drew me into these churches, and all the decorative elements served a greater purpose to pull one’s eyes heavenward. The most elaborate intricacies and extravagance was always reserved for the tabernacle area, often including legions of adoring angels. What a beautiful way to draw our hearts to Christ!
That being said, occasionally the extensive decorative elements of the churches served as a sort of distraction to me in prayer, and instead of bringing my mind heavenward, led me to simply marvel at the works of man. For this reason, sometimes I found myself praying more easily in some of the simpler chapels. Probably the most modest church we visited, and also my personal favorite, was the Chapel of the Sisters of Our Lady of Divine Mercy. This convent holds a special place in my heart because it was the home of St. Faustina Kowalska, probably my favorite saint because of her great humility and trust in Jesus as each day she strived to love Him more. Her diary, “Divine Mercy in My Soul” is my current favorite book (although I have yet to finish it!) and each time I pour over its pages, I find new insights that Jesus through Faustina always teaches me. What a gift to be there in this place where St. Faustina prayed! Where her body is now laid to rest! To me this was an unforgettable and precious moment to be so close to one I hold so dear
The Shrine of Divine Mercy overpowered me. The presence of countless people in prayer, religious throughout the church, the rosary, adoration, and the Divine Mercy. I felt the power of God here more than most anywhere else. Our journey to this church was enriched by the class we had had back in Lublin on Divine Mercy from a seminarian from the MIC, Thaddaeus Lacton.
Could I also give a shout out to Anna for changing our schedule for fit this into the schedule? :)
Our visit to St. Faustina's Shrine of Divine Mercy was excellent. The chapel was set up on a hill about a quarter mile from the parking lot. The chapel itself was simple and beautiful. It was wonderful seeing so many nuns at prayer. Very close to the chapel was a very modern looking Church that many of us thought looked like a space ship. It was an interesting contrast to many of the much older Churches we had seen. While I tend to prefer the more old-fashioned architecture, I thought that the modern Church served as a sign of the current vibrant state of Catholicism in Poland.
ReplyDeleteI have a bit of a different view on the architecture than Jack...here is a brief article that I wrote for Hope's blog:
ReplyDeleteA Marvel and a Simple Joy: Holy Architecture in Poland
In general, churches in Poland are awe-inspiringly gorgeous. There is so much history filling each one to the brim! From ancient artworks to relics of the saints, each holy place held its own treasures. Altars dedicated to polish saints and the Blessed Mother topped with black and gold intricately carved decoration flanked the sides of many churches. In America we are used to just one main altar; in Poland, they do not limit themselves to one, or even to five! The incredible artistic detail and impressive scale certainly drew me into these churches, and all the decorative elements served a greater purpose to pull one’s eyes heavenward. The most elaborate intricacies and extravagance was always reserved for the tabernacle area, often including legions of adoring angels. What a beautiful way to draw our hearts to Christ!
That being said, occasionally the extensive decorative elements of the churches served as a sort of distraction to me in prayer, and instead of bringing my mind heavenward, led me to simply marvel at the works of man. For this reason, sometimes I found myself praying more easily in some of the simpler chapels. Probably the most modest church we visited, and also my personal favorite, was the Chapel of the Sisters of Our Lady of Divine Mercy. This convent holds a special place in my heart because it was the home of St. Faustina Kowalska, probably my favorite saint because of her great humility and trust in Jesus as each day she strived to love Him more. Her diary, “Divine Mercy in My Soul” is my current favorite book (although I have yet to finish it!) and each time I pour over its pages, I find new insights that Jesus through Faustina always teaches me. What a gift to be there in this place where St. Faustina prayed! Where her body is now laid to rest! To me this was an unforgettable and precious moment to be so close to one I hold so dear
The Shrine of Divine Mercy overpowered me. The presence of countless people in prayer, religious throughout the church, the rosary, adoration, and the Divine Mercy. I felt the power of God here more than most anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteOur journey to this church was enriched by the class we had had back in Lublin on Divine Mercy from a seminarian from the MIC, Thaddaeus Lacton.
Could I also give a shout out to Anna for changing our schedule for fit this into the schedule? :)