Here are a few images from the San Antonio gathering — and it was a tremendous blessing to all of us!
Solemn Evensong for the opening of the "Becoming One" gathering
After Evensong, a reception in the Pope John Paul II Libary at The Atonement Academy
Fr. Jason Catania and Fr. Allan Hawkins
View from the second level of the Pope John Paul II Library
Archbishop Falk greets the gathering
One of our many meals together
Bishop Campese
The view from the choir loft, during the daily Mass
"Becoming One" attendees taking part in the daily Mass
Daily Mass with the Academy students
Fr. Phillips and Bishop Campese
Refreshments in the courtyard
Fr. Scott Hurd addresses the gathering
One of our helpful Academy students
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These are terrific! Thank you, thank you! So, where's Christian Campbell?
More! more!
Deborah
Forgive me if this seem gratutously negative, but whenever I see photographs of this church on the web I cannot help being depressed by it dowdiness. All that brown wood and heavy red everywhere. Writing from England, where most churches are light and airy, it seems claustrophobic to me. Of course, I don't include All Saints', Margaret Street, in the category of light – its as dark a pitch – but light is a quality which most of the Anglo-Catholic churches in London and elsewhere share. And our medieval churches are mainly flooded with light. Are all Anglican churches in the United States as dark as this?
Mr. Bowles, of the descriptive words you might use, I'm not sure "dowdiness" is the best fit. The interior of Our Lady of the Atonement is decidedly not shabby or drab.
But I do agree with your observation about those light and bright medieval churches — nothing lightens up a place quite like zealous reformers swinging hammers and throwing around buckets of whitewash!
Actually, I think if you were to step inside the nave you would find it to be quite warm and welcoming, and the play between the stained glass (especially the great east window) and the rich colours makes for more of a jewel-like impression, rather than simply feeling dark. Most people find it to be a comforting place to pray. The camera lens is not the human eye.
I'm sure they did the best with what they had. Just because one would rather limewash and acres of clear plate glass does not necessarily all architects share that liking. There is a place for dark woods, timbered ceilings, stained glass, rich vibrant colours. Some churches look their best during the day, others by candlelight…
A thoughtfully designed church should, in my view, display a variety of moods and "feelings" to the inhabitants throughout the day, especially in the case of those who work there day after day. From the early morning sun streaming blindingly in the East Window filtered through the rising incense as Saints and Angels forever in adoration of their Lord gaze stedfastly at the elevated Host at Mass, to mid morning blocks of light tracking slowly across the floor, afternoon's lengthening shadows, the dark North corners and alcoves illuminated by these creeping fingers of light, and finally eventide, when "the spent sun throws up its rays on cloud and goes burning into the gulf below" the West Window like a prism of the cosmos bathes the chancel and Altar in the last light of the day and the long orange slivers of waning day stretch across the floor and wink out one by one… the mysterious grey post-twilight as shadows deepen and reading grows dim, the corners intrude once more and blackness gathers strength… as once more the candles are lit… the Angelus bell rings…
…day unto day uttereth speech and night unto night sheweth knowledge…
Side note: Great to see some of the ladies "decently apparelled" at Mass. Reverence and dignity begins with individual choices and an act of the will. I never see women or girls veil in church here. Kind of depressing.
Mr. Bowles, I think the appropriate term is "sacred gloom," and a few more buildings this sort on both sides of the pond would be a great step forward in the restoration of divine worship. In such a place as this, it is much easier for many souls to glimpse the ceaseless worship of the Ancient of Days described in Holy Scripture, the heavenly worship in which the worship of the Church on earth is merely a participation.
As my mother would say "if you can't say anything good, say nothing". I think OLA is a beautiful church.
I use to attend a TEC church that was mostly concrete, all the floors were too. It was very airey though and very stark. The one I attended when a youth was dark and very narrow, very typical of many TEC parishes.
I cannot believe that with such an historical gathering the predominate comments concern the architecture and choice of colors of OLA. "Yes, we speak of things that matter, With words that must be said, Can analysis be worthwhile? Is the theater really dead?"
We need to focus on the beauty of this event "Becoming One"!
As one who was present, who enjoyed the courtesy, the fellowship, the liturgy, (Mass in Latin was oh, so divine), I just say to those absent, "Come and see."
Please remove my e-mail address from the blog post.
GE, I'm not sure what you mean. I don't see any email address on this post. You may reply to me privately at FrPhillips@atonementonline.com. I'm happy to comply with your request as soon as I understand what you're asking to be done.
I am grateful to Fr. Phillips, his staff and the children of the school for hosting this event. It is the beginning of an historic phase in the life of the Church Catholic and I thank God for allowing me to be a very small part of it.
A side commont on OLA; I have not travelled much but I must say it is one of the most peaceful, reverent and inspiring churches I've ever had the pleasure to worship in!
I attended the San Antonio meeting was deeply moved by the worship and the beauty of OLA. The gathering was one of the most inspiring church gatherings I have ever attended. The God-centered conversations both in informal groups and the meetings were enchanced by the reverence of the surroundings. Fr. True.
Father,
I have taken the liberty of adding two of these photographs to a post about "Becoming One" conferences on our blog Anglican Use in the Philippines. Here's the specific post: http://www.theanglocatholic.com/2010/11/some-pictures-from-becoming-one-gathering/ I will delete them immediately if I have taken too much liberty.
Regards,
Bruce Hall
Sorry, I screwed up the link, and the proofreading. Here's the post:
http://anglicanusephilippines.blogspot.com/2010/12/becoming-one-conference-in-kansas-city.html
Bruce, you are most welcome to use these or any other pictures I post.
God bless you!