If I was to bring a person into the two different spaces we visited today and explained to them that they were apart of the same religion, I think that people would think that I was crazy because the two spaces are sooo different.
Upon arriving to theBasilica I didn't know what expectations I had. When I walked through the front door, I was blown away by all the colors and "busyness" of the space. In this space it seemed important to replicate every symbol and figure in the Christian faith known to man. This was achieved by statues, paintings, and an "over the top" alter. The Basilica embodies the suffering and many historical events of Jesus. To me, the Basilica was distracting with so much going on. Although it was distracting to me, it represented so much of the Christian faith. I found the Basilica to be so interesting and rich with history.
On the flip side, when we visited the New Melleray Abbey, I chuckled at the simplicity of the space compared the Basilica. The monks who live at the Abbey strive for a life of simplicity and a life of prayer. The chapel was a huge room with stone looking walls, a wood ceiling, a few rows of pews and a large space that the monks occupy when they engage in the prayer services. Within the chapel, there were no statues and no paintings or photos on the walls. I have been to the monestary before but I had never really compared it to other churches. It was interesting today to really compare and contrasts the two spaces. The alter was extremely different that the one at the Basilica. The only photo was a picture of the Virgin Mary and Jesus as a baby located up by the alter. This is in place because the chapel of the monestarys must have a representation of the Virgin Mary.
In the Christian faith, there are many ways to express faith. Looking at the Basilica, it is looked at as a "special" form of a Catholic church. It is expected for it to embody some over the top decorations and statues. With the monestary, it is more of a private place of worship. Although in the Christian faith it is expected to hear the Word of God outloud, it is also perfectly okay to pray in private.
Personally, I would prefer the look of the Abbey over the Basilica. I like to pray more in private and be focused. In the Basilica, I would be so easily distracted looking at things and trying to figure out the meaning of the things used in the space. I guess I just look at it as our lives are cluttered enough with material things and outside factors, it is nice to go to a place where you let all the outside world at the door and pray with nothing stopping you or distracting you. The monks lead a very difficult life but a life that is definitley looked up to. Not many people could strip their luxuries for the lifestyle they possess.
The monk that took us on our tour really made me think we he compared our lives to the walls of the inside of the chapel. He pointed out that the walls were orginally built and then covered up with plaster. He stated that when we are born, we are made beautiful from the inside out by the Lord. As we go on throughout our lives, we cover our beautiful pure selves up with "plaster" aka material things. In 1975, the monestary stripped the plaster off the walls to reveal the beautiful stone work underneath. I will remember that little story forever because it is so true!
Upon arriving to theBasilica I didn't know what expectations I had. When I walked through the front door, I was blown away by all the colors and "busyness" of the space. In this space it seemed important to replicate every symbol and figure in the Christian faith known to man. This was achieved by statues, paintings, and an "over the top" alter. The Basilica embodies the suffering and many historical events of Jesus. To me, the Basilica was distracting with so much going on. Although it was distracting to me, it represented so much of the Christian faith. I found the Basilica to be so interesting and rich with history.
On the flip side, when we visited the New Melleray Abbey, I chuckled at the simplicity of the space compared the Basilica. The monks who live at the Abbey strive for a life of simplicity and a life of prayer. The chapel was a huge room with stone looking walls, a wood ceiling, a few rows of pews and a large space that the monks occupy when they engage in the prayer services. Within the chapel, there were no statues and no paintings or photos on the walls. I have been to the monestary before but I had never really compared it to other churches. It was interesting today to really compare and contrasts the two spaces. The alter was extremely different that the one at the Basilica. The only photo was a picture of the Virgin Mary and Jesus as a baby located up by the alter. This is in place because the chapel of the monestarys must have a representation of the Virgin Mary.
In the Christian faith, there are many ways to express faith. Looking at the Basilica, it is looked at as a "special" form of a Catholic church. It is expected for it to embody some over the top decorations and statues. With the monestary, it is more of a private place of worship. Although in the Christian faith it is expected to hear the Word of God outloud, it is also perfectly okay to pray in private.
Personally, I would prefer the look of the Abbey over the Basilica. I like to pray more in private and be focused. In the Basilica, I would be so easily distracted looking at things and trying to figure out the meaning of the things used in the space. I guess I just look at it as our lives are cluttered enough with material things and outside factors, it is nice to go to a place where you let all the outside world at the door and pray with nothing stopping you or distracting you. The monks lead a very difficult life but a life that is definitley looked up to. Not many people could strip their luxuries for the lifestyle they possess.
The monk that took us on our tour really made me think we he compared our lives to the walls of the inside of the chapel. He pointed out that the walls were orginally built and then covered up with plaster. He stated that when we are born, we are made beautiful from the inside out by the Lord. As we go on throughout our lives, we cover our beautiful pure selves up with "plaster" aka material things. In 1975, the monestary stripped the plaster off the walls to reveal the beautiful stone work underneath. I will remember that little story forever because it is so true!
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