[Magdalen] Suzie and Center Aisle

[Lesley de Voil]

Our local RC cathedral had a 'modernisation' some years ago. One of
the more unfortunate results of putting the freestanding high altar in
the crossing of a Gothic building was siting the pipe organ on the
East side of the crossing ( where one would originally have expected
to see a rood screen) so that from the nave the sight of the organ
behind the altar resembled some Protestant church.
However, this monstrosity hides a gem. Behind the pipe organ, that is,
the area that originally housed the altar ( the East end), is now the
Blessed Sacrament Chapel, with Reserved Sacrament. The walls on three
sides are patterned glass panels, ceiling to floor, leading to a moat
about one foot wide and some inches deep containing water that has
flowed from a tropical clam-sized and -shaped baptismal font. The area
is doubly cool, from both the water and the faint plashing sounds.
This area  also abuts the Confessional. As one sits quietly, one can
easily feel the effect of coming through the water of rebirth after
forgiveness.  A welcome haven for private prayer.

Regards
Lesley de Voil

On 6/30/15, Lynn Ronkainen <houstonklr at gmail.com> wrote:
> Many newer  RC churches built in the last 3+decades have immersable
> baptismal areas that are highly visible and audible (running water)... I
> wonder if this is a response to the scriptural references?
> Lynn
>
> website: www.ichthysdesigns.com
>
> When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I have not a
>
> single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything You gave me."
> attributed to Erma Bombeck
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Sally Davies" <sally.davies at gmail.com>
> Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 1:35 AM
> To: <magdalen at herberthouse.org>
> Subject: Re: [Magdalen] Suzie and Center Aisle
>
>> Thanks for sharing, that was lovely.
>>
>> I was struck by the comment about making the waters and grace of baptism
>> more visible in  our churches - such a simple point but so relevant.
>>
>> We are very far from the "here is some water, why can't I be baptised"
>> question that is the climax of my favourite story in Acts. Instead,
>> baptism
>> involves an entire fal-de-rol, a special service, and I guess for an
>> older
>> catechumen, a process of teaching first. It's just not available to
>> people
>> in the same way that Communion is.
>>
>> Even my Pentecostal friends whose chuch makes a huge deal of adult
>> baptism
>> and performs a lot of them, has to prepare a great big baptismal bath and
>> set up a service for that purpose.
>>
>> Perhaps our churches should have an inner courtyard with a fountain or
>> water pool, like the house churches of the early Christians that have
>> been
>> excavated in Asia Minor.
>>
>> Sally D
>>
>>
>>
>> On Monday, June 29, 2015, James Oppenheimer-Crawford <
>> oppenheimerjw at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I was a bit overwhelmed by the power of Susan's message.  How wonderful
>>> that she was the one to be there for that young lady.  Grace and Sophia
>>> was
>>> there -- indeed it's hard to say where it was not.  The grace that
>>> called
>>> that lady to make her bold move. The grace imparted to Susan in the
>>> immense
>>> privilege of being the one to answer that call.
>>>
>>> We are used to an economy of scarcity, but the divine economy is one of
>>> abundance, like the loving mother who opens the screen door of her back
>>> porch and calls all the kids in for milk and cookies. And the cookies
>>> and
>>> milk will never ever run out.
>>>
>>> I don't understand the Eucharist at all, and am beginning to realize that
>>>
>>> I
>>> shouldn't worry about that. It's still there. Period.
>>>
>>> James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
>>> *“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not
>>> preserved,
>>> except in memory. LLAP**”  -- *Leonard Nimoy
>>>
>>> On Sun, Jun 28, 2015 at 11:55 AM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com
>>> <javascript:;>>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> > I have just finished reading and commenting on Susan Buchanan's
>>> > opinion
>>> > piece in Center Aisle, the Dio. of Virginia's General Convention
>>> > newsletter. It is beautifully written and makes a strong case for open
>>> > communion. I commend it to you:
>>> >
>>> > centeraisle.net
>>>
>