Holden Thompson - Church visit 2

Church name: Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church
Church address: 180 S Russel Ave, Aurora, IL 60506
Date attended: 3/20/16
Church category: Tridentine Mass

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

The church building was large. Right by the entrance of the main sanctuary there was a big fountain with holy water in it. All the pews were made of wood, and the backs of them had pads you could pull down to kneel on. Along the sides of the sanctuary were beautiful mosaic windows portraying different scenes from the life of Jesus, as well as pictures of certain Saints. Unlike the Greek orthodox church I visited, there were not many golden objects at the front of the sanctuary, nor were there a ton of priests. Everyone was fairly well dressed who was attending, and many of the women wore cloths on top of their heads. This service was much shorter than the orthodox service, and it seemed to revolve around holy week. Many members of the congregation had been giving palm leaves, which the priest assured them had indeed been blessed. Of course the service was in Latin, and we were given pamphlets to help follow along. I still had a rather difficult time being able to tell where we were at in the service, but it was interesting to note how the more experienced church goers knew exactly when and how to respond to the priest. Their were black drapes covering 3 or 4 statues near the front of the sanctuary, statues of Jesus and Mary presumably. I was wondering if they remain like that for all of lent, and then are unveiled on Easter. Towards the end of the service the congregation was invited to participate in communion.

Hows did the worship service illuminate for you the history and contours of global Christianity?

This question is harder for me to answer than it was for the Greek orthodox church, because I could understand the words being spoken at that service. However, even without understanding the words, it was easy to sense a higher level of reverence for the worship service than my regular context. I think this level of reverence is actually the norm for Christians around the world. People were dressed well, and kept a certain solemn demeanor as they participated in the service. Also, they bowed when exiting the pew towards the front of the sanctuary. I'm not sure if them bowing is a sign of reverence towards God, or the priest, or both, or something completely different. But the ritual and tradition of the church fathers was much more important to them that it is for me. Once again, I think this is also true of the church at large around the world.

How did the worship service illuminate for you your personal identity as a Christian?

Having grown up at a Bible church, I never really considered the traditions of the historical church as important to me. However, since coming to Wheaton I have been challenged by my professors to consider the value of looking to and practicing the traditions of those who have come before us. This worship services once again made me consider that perhaps I miss out on something when I neglect the traditions of the historical church. At the very least it would seem that I lack a reverence for God that in hindsight seems very appropriate to have for the creator of all that is seen and unseen. The early church would have considered it a pleasure and a joy to worship God, and I think the beauty of Catholic churches, and the intricacy of the rituals and services reflect this joy at their core. This service was all about worshiping God, and bringing honor to him. Many services I've been to have just been about taking away three main points that will help us live better lives. But the joy of serving and worshiping God seems to be sucked out of these types of services. I want to be a Christian who finds it a pure pleasure to worship God freely, not one that is trying to get something out of God when I go to church.