Betcha can't guess what I did today -

[kyburg]

No really. (This will really make their brains spill out their ears, trust me.)

I went to Mass this morning at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels this morning. Jim's mother wanted to go to church while she's visiting, and I said sure.

Who'd pass an opportunity to see Cardinal Mahoney officiate?

And I think this is the first Mass I attended in a real cathedral, and it was neat. And just as cold and shivery as any time spent inside a big stone building would be.

But this is Los Angeles, and the choir was fantastic with a pianist and flautist accompanying them. I'd like some of the incense they used - we were hit with the fragrance of woodsy cinnamon when we entered, and it smelled like mesquite and sage were used during services. Very Southwestern -

The inside of the cathedral is like sitting surrounded by sand. There are no stained-glass windows as one is used to - they paned the windows with translucent stone veined with darker sand-colored stripes. The goblets holding the wine for communion were glass, and the red was all the more brilliant for the contrast.

Other than that, Catholic. Duh. As the cradle Protestant, all the ritual and symbolism and bow here, kneel there, repeat this, respond that tends to echo what I know of various Pagan rituals, which I'm sure is not what they had in mind. Oh well. It had been a while, and it's much as I remember.

It's the only thing Jim's mother asked to do while she was here - and it might surprise you that I'll attend services anywhere I'm invited. No, I don't do communion at Catholic Masses - it's offensive to the Catholics, and I do respect other people's feelings on such matters. Now, if you go to church with me, everyone of age is allowed communion; you're on your own to be responsible to know what you're doing and why.

Did we visit the cathedral store afterward? Oh, sure. They have Free Trade coffee for sale there, as well as a number of foodie items that support various monasteries and such.

I also made reservations for brunch at One Thousand Cranes - Japanese buffet in the gardens at the New Otani. It was delicious. And only fifteen minutes away.

I just noticed that the link for Mahoney says "singer" underneath his name. Yes, he does. And yes, very well indeed.

I am taking a nap - then attacking the house again. No rest for the wicked~!

Comments

[ms-hecubus.livejournal.com]

I think that going to mass at a cathedral would be a fascinating experience, but since I don't know any practicing Catholics I'd have to go alone. Heh, I'd have to hope I didn't do anything embarassing like wash my hands in the holy water.

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

It was - but you know, I don't recall seeing the holy water font as I came in....

Best thing to do is act like a bump on a pickle, stay out of sight and be respectful. Watch others for cues. Do what you are asked. Be observant, in other words.

[ms-hecubus.livejournal.com]

There is a gorgeous Catholic Church near me - National Shrine of the Little Flower and I've always been curious to go inside. One of these days I will make it there for mass, just to take a look and experience the ceremony.

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

It's definitely worth the time for the experience -

[joggingguy.livejournal.com]

I went to Mass this morning at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels this morning. Jim's mother wanted to go to church while she's visiting, and I said sure.

You ought to have an entire family of Baptists want you to go to church with them, then sit you down at the table for a "family discussion" like my family did. With the express purpose of getting me to accept jesus or persuading me to get saved. It felt like I was captured by a cult and they were attempting to program me. I will never go to church ever again with any of them.

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

Heh. You didn't grow up in Hemet. I had a whole town try to sit me down and get me to go to their way of thinking.

Problem was, when two would gather in His name, they would fight.

That's when you duck out the back door. :)

(Ijits. They never believed me when I said I knew Jesus and had since I was 7...like it just wasn't possible. Not their Jesus, oh no - ijits. Like anyone owns God - sheesh.)

[vampireanneke.livejournal.com]

I'm catholic, I like church and mass, just feel bad that I haven't gone in forever. (sigh). I miss church. It's so relaxing, and you can just let your mind think. Peaceful...sigh. And YES there is alot of Pagan things in the religion, and why I'm also a Pagan at the same time. They work well together.