An Installation, Not a Liturgical Space

Iwas prepared to love the restoration of Notre-Dame in Paris. Creating a pathway around the perimeter of the cathedral to introduce the great stories of Scripture to those unfamiliar with the faith seems an excellent plan; it will provide an informative and enlightening experience for tourists and visitors. Meanwhile, highlighting the direct pathway from the baptismal font to the altar in the center of the church makes a strong statement concerning the living Catholic tradition. A church is not a museum. It is a place where the Christian people gather to celebrate the sacraments of Christ. The liturgical act stands at the core of a church building’s whole reason for being. The Second Vatican Council affirmed this when it said that the liturgy is “the summit toward which all the activity of the Church is directed, and the font from which all her power flows.” Read Full Article »