Madonna di Loreto - Caravaggio
Sometimes I wish there was a church for poor people, where the homeless and bums could go without feeling conspicuous. A church where no one cared or noticed what you were wearing or if you had shaved or were in need of a haircut. A church where no ID was required. A church for losers and sinners.
You would love St John the Evangelist in Center City Philadelphia. It's run by Franciscans and in their lower church they offer Adoration 6 days a week. There are always homeless people sitting there when I go to Adoration or confession and so long as people are not disruptive (one guy stood up once at the start of the Gospel and started yelling blasphemies) no one ever seems to bother them. I wonder some days if those men and women aren't the only company Our Lord has as He waits in the monstrance. Merry and Blessed Christmas to you Terry Nelson. Joyce
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Boston I went to the Franciscan shrine there too - it is the same.
DeleteMerry Christmas Joyce.
5pm Mass at Cathedral Basilica St. Louis on Sundays - no one seems to give a farthing what you're wearing and I love that.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd still feel slightly intimidated by your bow-tie... ;)
DeleteMerry Christmas poodle.
Yes, what a wonderful idea - I would be able to go to That church when deeply depressed and not have work my face into falseness, nor meet anyone's eye. perhaps There we could all see each other as we really are, as Christ sees us, in our weakness and vulnerabiltiy. A church where we do not feel self-conscious about being dressed in old clothes, and worn down sneakers....you have Christ-like inspirations Terry.
ReplyDeleteYou need to come to New York City, Terry. We have thousands of homeless, and they are always welcome in the churches, at least the ones I go to. This may be modern Babylon, but where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. So you can imagine how much grace we have here.
ReplyDeleteI love NYC and other big cities for that reason. NYC is very Catholic.
Deleteand Merry Christmas!
DeleteYou're right about NYC. There are Catholic churches every few blocks, and most of them are very beautiful. 62% of New Yorkers are Catholic, although sadly only a small percentage, about 20%, are practicing Catholic.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours.