Serendipity: Part Two

Driving through Bars-sur-Seine I stopped for a break outside the target impressive Église Saint-Etienne. I'm so glad I did. 

It's a weird place. The rear half of the church looks like desolate ruin, but the chancel area is gleaming. There is pristine stained glass alongside dusty, neglected statues. Judging from the scaffolding and other clues it looks like the place is partway through a huge restoration. I hope so, as it's gorgeous. 

And clearly in regular use. There's music playing (chant and gentle hymns in French) and other signs that people have been here worshipping today. It's open all day, and there are little notes and signs for the benefit of visitors. And it feels prayed-in, it invites prayer. I gladly joined the long, long life of prayer here for a while. 

And in the choir stalls, two (two!) huge books of chant! I've never seen the like outside monasteries. I hope someone here is using them ...

///luxury.proficiency.gust