Day 2 in Paris greeted us with a trip to the Miraculous Medal Chapel where we would celebrate Mass. This is the chapel where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure, a Daughter of Charity, for the first time on the night of July 18,1830. Four months later on Nov 27, 1830, St. Catherine sees the Blessed Virgin with her eyes raised to heaven, presenting to God the globe of the world surmounted by a small cross and representing the entire world and each one of us. Mary asked St. Catherine to create a medal for all. This medal was to depict the Virgin Mary on the front with rays coming out of her hands showering us all with her graces and the words "Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee", and on the back the cross mounted on top of an "M" with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary next to each other on the bottom. Encircling the back of the medal would be 12 stars for the 12 Apostles. This medal is known as the Miraculous Medal. The body of St. Catherine Laboure lies incorrupt in the chapel and she is wearing the same habit worn by the Daughters of Charity until 1964. The Daughters of Charity were founded by St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Merillac. Saint Louise de Marillac also lies incorrupt on the other side of the chapel.
The chapel is so beautifully illustrated and such a wonderful tribute to Mary. Looking at the statues of Mary and seeing the depiction on the walls is very ethereal. There was definitely a grace bestowed to all who entered that sacred place. Ironically enough the words over the arch entering the altar area read, "Come to the foot of this altar; there, graces will be showered upon all."
After leaving the Miraculous Medal Chapel, we went on to The Sainte Chapelle, a gem of high Gothic architecture. The Sainte Chapelle is connected to the Palace of Justice where it once served as the seat of power for French kings from the 10th to the 14th Century. SC was built between 1242 and 1248 in accordance with the wishes of Louis IX to house the relics of the Passion of Christ, especially the Crown of Thorns bought in 1239. The Holy relics had belonged to the emperors of Constantinople and were purchased by Louis IX making his claim to be the "New Jerusalem". The church would sustain a great deal of damage during the many wars in France. The SC was a place where the king could go to worship the Holy relics and control those who saw them. The employees of teh Palace of Justice were only allowed to be in the lower chapel while the relics were in teh upper chapel. The SC is no longer a place of worship, and ironically enough when you enter into, it is devoid of that "church feeling". There is no altar, only stained glass windows and architecture that resembles that of a church. The relics are no longer housed there. They have been moved to Notre Dame.
Following our visit to the SC, we made our way to the famous Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a towering piece of architecture that demands respect. It sits on the bank of the River Seine and is absolutely huge! You get lost when you walk into it. The altar seems so very far away. It is almost symbolic of the journey we must take to prepare ourselves to recieve our Lord during Communion as well as when we see Him in Glory. Throughout the walk to the center, you are surrounded by stained glass windows that tell a story. There are side chapels with devotion to various Saints. It is almost dizzying making your way around the church, however beautiful nonetheless. There was a difference in seeing Notre Dame compared to the other churches, Cathedrals, and Basilicas that we had already seen. I was trying to put my finger on it, and all I could come up with was that Notre Dame is such a "touristy" place that I think something is lost. The other places we visited were famous in their own way, yet still inviting to the lowliest person. We celebrated Mass in the other places which gave it that special meaning as well. It made it feel like it was your church and not just a place where people take pictures. Not sure what to make of it all.
Moving right along, a group of us headed to the Louvre for our last big stand in Paris. We saw the trademark glass pyramid outside the Louvre as we made our way to the entrance. The Louvre was full of sculptures and statues from different time periods and styles. Of course the famous Venus di Milo and Mona Lisa are housed there as well. We walked through Napolean's apartments with their many chandeliers and other extravaganza. I was amazed at the size of the Louvre. Apparently it is like 1/2 mile long with 2 sides. It was originally a palace...I think? Anyway-it was huge which didn't bode well for my tired feet as the last stop of the day. We finished up our day with a walk back to the hotel...yet again...in search of crepes for our last night there! We made it back only to have to pack up for the morning trip to the airport.
We managed to pack a lot into 9 days (10 if you count the day we left). What a wonderful, grace filled, journey into the heart this trip has been. We have been in the presence of so many wonderful and Holy people who were all touched in some unique way by the love of God and His Mother. In such simplicity lies the answer to God's desire for each of us...to live a life of loving service. This trip has been more than I ever imagined it could be. The Sisters have truly shown us the Salesian spiritualty and hospitality that they were founded on. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Please pray for the cause of Father Brisson as his life of service is examined for Sainthood. Thanks for coming on this journey with me!
Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/grtwhthype69/Day9Paris
The chapel is so beautifully illustrated and such a wonderful tribute to Mary. Looking at the statues of Mary and seeing the depiction on the walls is very ethereal. There was definitely a grace bestowed to all who entered that sacred place. Ironically enough the words over the arch entering the altar area read, "Come to the foot of this altar; there, graces will be showered upon all."
After leaving the Miraculous Medal Chapel, we went on to The Sainte Chapelle, a gem of high Gothic architecture. The Sainte Chapelle is connected to the Palace of Justice where it once served as the seat of power for French kings from the 10th to the 14th Century. SC was built between 1242 and 1248 in accordance with the wishes of Louis IX to house the relics of the Passion of Christ, especially the Crown of Thorns bought in 1239. The Holy relics had belonged to the emperors of Constantinople and were purchased by Louis IX making his claim to be the "New Jerusalem". The church would sustain a great deal of damage during the many wars in France. The SC was a place where the king could go to worship the Holy relics and control those who saw them. The employees of teh Palace of Justice were only allowed to be in the lower chapel while the relics were in teh upper chapel. The SC is no longer a place of worship, and ironically enough when you enter into, it is devoid of that "church feeling". There is no altar, only stained glass windows and architecture that resembles that of a church. The relics are no longer housed there. They have been moved to Notre Dame.
Following our visit to the SC, we made our way to the famous Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a towering piece of architecture that demands respect. It sits on the bank of the River Seine and is absolutely huge! You get lost when you walk into it. The altar seems so very far away. It is almost symbolic of the journey we must take to prepare ourselves to recieve our Lord during Communion as well as when we see Him in Glory. Throughout the walk to the center, you are surrounded by stained glass windows that tell a story. There are side chapels with devotion to various Saints. It is almost dizzying making your way around the church, however beautiful nonetheless. There was a difference in seeing Notre Dame compared to the other churches, Cathedrals, and Basilicas that we had already seen. I was trying to put my finger on it, and all I could come up with was that Notre Dame is such a "touristy" place that I think something is lost. The other places we visited were famous in their own way, yet still inviting to the lowliest person. We celebrated Mass in the other places which gave it that special meaning as well. It made it feel like it was your church and not just a place where people take pictures. Not sure what to make of it all.
Moving right along, a group of us headed to the Louvre for our last big stand in Paris. We saw the trademark glass pyramid outside the Louvre as we made our way to the entrance. The Louvre was full of sculptures and statues from different time periods and styles. Of course the famous Venus di Milo and Mona Lisa are housed there as well. We walked through Napolean's apartments with their many chandeliers and other extravaganza. I was amazed at the size of the Louvre. Apparently it is like 1/2 mile long with 2 sides. It was originally a palace...I think? Anyway-it was huge which didn't bode well for my tired feet as the last stop of the day. We finished up our day with a walk back to the hotel...yet again...in search of crepes for our last night there! We made it back only to have to pack up for the morning trip to the airport.
We managed to pack a lot into 9 days (10 if you count the day we left). What a wonderful, grace filled, journey into the heart this trip has been. We have been in the presence of so many wonderful and Holy people who were all touched in some unique way by the love of God and His Mother. In such simplicity lies the answer to God's desire for each of us...to live a life of loving service. This trip has been more than I ever imagined it could be. The Sisters have truly shown us the Salesian spiritualty and hospitality that they were founded on. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Please pray for the cause of Father Brisson as his life of service is examined for Sainthood. Thanks for coming on this journey with me!
Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/grtwhthype69/Day9Paris
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