St. James cathedral pictures

Patrick and I took the day off work today (ostensibly to recover from Halloween, but since we didn't do a whole lot other than staying in and watching movies while avoiding trick-or-treaters, there wasn't a lot of recovering to do). We eventually got up and moseyed our way down to the union to pick up his music for the next concert, then went over to the cathedral for some leisurely exploration.

I love Catholic churches. They always smell so lovely. I'm not sure what the particular type of incense that they use is, but it's great stuff. This particular cathedral is just gorgeous. It has gigantic vaulted ceilings, a holy water font that's so clear it looks like there's not even any water in it, a darkened Mary shrine lit only with candles, a fascinating little candle high up in a red holder that defies explanation when you wonder how they light it, and many other intriguing features. We took pictures of some of them, so here they are:

People praying in the meditation/adoration shrine. It is golden and designed to look like the burning bush. The inscription says venite adoremus, which according to the internet means "O come let us adore him" or something very similar. Not sure what's inside the box. Maybe the ten commandments? I like the wrought iron gate particularly.

Inside the chapel near a Mary statue. These lit candles are all prayers from the faithful.

Me observing the Mary shrine. These lit candles are also prayers.

Me looking at the candle I lit for my friend Madame's husband, along with other worries and hopes.

The candle I lit.

A lady praying in the Mary shrine. It gives me chills to hear prayers whispered in the shadows filling the various shrines of this cathedral. I guess it's a combination of the smells and the audible whispers. The flickering candles don't hurt, either...

Looking toward the altar from the main entrance. Font of holy water is in front with the baptismal pool. What you see in the back is a set of giant organ pipes and the choir loft. See how clear that water is in the bowl! It just looks like a stainless steel bowl, even up close, until you dip your fingers in to cross yourself. Then the water ripples show it for what it is. The glowing circle in the ceiling is a huge skylight with words inscribed around the edges. I'm not sure what they said, as it was kind of hard to see with the brightness. The tall white thing on the right is indeed an enormous candle. It's way taller than I am!

Statue of some saint. Sadly I don't know which one. Maybe St. Francis? There are many of these statues in alcoves around the main cathedral hall.

Some of the stained glass windows. We tried to show details, but it's hard. The statue is Mary. Oh and yes, that is the top of my head down there at the bottom of the picture. This place is enormous! Everything is just immense.

Stained glass windows again. See? Too bright.

The outside of the adoration shrine. I do not know how they light that candle on the left. It looks to be nearly two stories up and it's on a sconce thing that doesn't appear to move. Maybe they have a huge ladder? Or a really long lighter?

Looking back toward the main entrance from the altar. That is a second set of organ pipes, along with the loft where Patrick played a series called Great Music For Great Cathedrals. Apparently they did it every year.

I hope you all enjoyed these pictures. We tried to get some detailed ones of the stained glass, but they're really hard to see. If it's bright enough to see all the colors, it's also bright enough to make the camera on his phone go wonky. Rest assured that there are many beautiful stained glass windows here! They're very detailed, and it's amazing to see what must have been hours upon hours of work. 

This is the cathedral where two or so years ago (I forget exactly) I went to hear a Requiem Mass. It was lovely. (Patrick has also played the Requiem in this cathedral.) They had a full orchestra (I think, sounded like it) and choir, and everything was in Latin, but the leaflet things they gave you had the translations so you could follow along. There is one tomorrow evening as well, and we might go. I find them fascinating. I think Patrick has a cold though, so maybe we will stay home... Not sure. We'll see how he feels. I'd rather he didn't infect the entire cathedral.

Both of us had the idea to take some pictures of me in the Mina dress inside this place. This will be a good idea particularly if it takes long enough to show up that all the leaves have fallen off the trees for the year. Also, it is a lot warmer inside than it would be in a graveyard! Brrr...