Classic 60s/70s concrete Catholic church in every way. So what made it so gorgeous? I'm not entirely sure. Inside, there was a lovely balance of colour and shape. One wall was covered with a fantastic modern stations of the cross, all the stations woven together with what looked like threads so they became a single, long story rather than stuttering episodes. And the building was very light and warm.
But what really made it special was passing just in time to see folks greeting the priest on their way in. I planned to scoot down to one of the big historic churches, but didn't know if I'd be in good time for their services. Clearly I could be punctual for this one! So I pulled up and went in.
The priest was very welcoming. I asked if he spoke English. "A little," he said, uncertainly. Then he asked, "Priest?" I nodded yes, not sure how best to explain that I'm Anglican not Catholic. Before I got the chance he asked, "You like concelebrate?"
An extraordinary word to have in a small foreign vocabulary - but also an amazingly gracious offer! For those unfamiliar, in some higher liturgical churches there's a practice of priests sharing together in the celebration of the communion prayer, the breaking of the bread. I was walking in, a stranger, two minutes before the service began and he immediately asked if I'd like to help celebrate the most important part of the service - even though I clearly didn't speak any French.
I demurred, of course, and instead enjoyed a beautiful hour of worship in which, because of the gift of shared liturgies, I knew not one word that was spoken yet followed and joined in with every moment of the service.
Serendipity.
It looks a lovely place, so many beautiful places on this journey of yours and I'm enjoying seeing all of them x Take care
ReplyDelete"And the fellowship (koinonia) of the Holy Spirit."
ReplyDeleteWell indeed!
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