Payden Carter - Church Visit #2

Church Name: Holy Angels Catholic Church

Church Address: 180 S Russell Ave, Aurora, IL 60506

Date Attended: March 20, 2016

Church Category: Tridentine Mass

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

When examining worship style and place of worship, the Tridentine Mass that I attended at Holy Angels Church had similarities and differences in comparison to my traditional worship practice. Aesthetically Holy Angels was more ornate from my usual place of worship. The Church had beautiful stained glass, and wood beam structures throughout the sanctuary. Also the preaching style in worship was vastly contrary to the style I have become accustomed to. The preacher spoke entirely in Latin throughout prayer. However, there was a brief ten minute sermon in English. Aside from the language of the preaching, the preacher had his back to the congregation throughout the prayer portion of the service, emphasizing the importance of worshiping God in contrast to the service or person leading the service. The service was similar to my regular context primarily through the layout and structure of the place of worship. There were two sections of pews, and a small stage.

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

The worship service at Holy Angels was able to challenge my, often, narrow perception of Christianity. By participating in a worship service in a dead, and sacred language I was able to become more aware of the vast amount of time Christianity has covered. Also the worship and prayer was theologically sound, and through this aspect of worship I was able to participate in prayers that Christians have been praying for many years. By visiting a Church that had a different context from my own, I was able to see how diverse and complex religion is as I saw the reverence and awe of the congregation at Holy Angels. Therefore, I was able to learn that when discussing Christianity on a global scale one must do so humbly because individuals are typically only exposed to consistent worship practice growing up. As I prepare to engage with Christianity on a global scale in the future I have been able to understand that the past of Christianity has helped shaped its’ current form.

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

In the midst of the differences between my worship context, and that of Holy Angels’ I was most importantly able to have my identity as a Christian illuminated. People long for identity, as do I. Without being strong enough to challenge one's own identity one will not grow to one’s full potential. By attending the service at Holy Angels I became aware of the fact that my identity as a Christian is not simply my own, but a title that millions have help throughout time. Also I was able to realize that the title that drives my life, Christian, is one that is special and allows me to approach life with a humble posture in the midst of diversity. Regardless of my worship context, and the context of others, Christians must seek to embrace the identity they hold to so that we all can grow in acceptance and fellowship, instead of pride and division.