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| 2597: Lucernarium
at Moreau Seminary Chapel, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA |
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Mystery
Worshipper: MoboJobo.
The church:
Lucernarium
at Moreau Seminary Chapel, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.
Denomination:
Roman Catholic,
Diocese
of Fort Wayne/South Bend.
The building:
Moreau Seminary is located on the campus of Notre Dame University
and is the major seminary for the Congregation of Holy Cross,
United
States Province. It is a modern multi-purpose building,
with chapel, classrooms, dining hall, library, lounge, meeting
rooms, gymnasium, and living quarters.
The church:
The seminary is home to men who feel called to a vocation in
the Congregation of Holy Cross. Seminarians live here while
pursuing their studies at the University.
The neighborhood:
The seminary is set on the edge of a lake, with a view of the
golden dome of the University and the spire of the Basilica.
The cast:
The Revd Francis T. Cafarelli, CSC, a member of the formation
staff and instructor in faith and traditions, presided and preached.
But the main participants were the two seminarians who were
professing their final vows this weekend: the Shipmate whom
we know as Hart, and his fellow postulant Patrick.
The date & time:
Friday, September 6, 2013, 7.00pm.
What was the name of the service?
Lucernarium with the Blessing of the Symbols of Perpetual Profession.
How full was the building?
The Seminary chapel was quite full, with the families of Hart
and Patrick seated on the two sides at the front. The rest seemed
to be members of Holy Cross – see below.
Did anyone welcome you
personally?
Hart welcomed us personally as we arrived.
Was your pew comfortable?
The pew was conventional, with a cushion.
How would you describe the pre-service
atmosphere?
Quiet, reverent.
What were the exact opening words of the
service?
"Welcome to the Lucernarium."
What books did the congregation use during the
service?
No books. A pamphlet was handed out for the responses and singing.
What musical instruments were played?
Piano and organ. Actually there were multiple pianos and organs in the chapel, although only two were played.
Did anything distract you?
The extensive stained glass behind the altar, unlighted because of the hour, caused curiosity. On a subsequent daytime visit, they proved to be spectacular "slab glass" windows from the 1950s. They depict the patrons of priestly activities: prayer, study, learning, preaching, and worship through music.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip,
happy clappy, or what?
Very dignified, formal – as befitting preparation for a
lifetime commitment. The Lucernarium was based on the office
of compline, which has been described as "high bedtime
prayers."
Exactly how long was the
sermon?
9 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how
good was the preacher?
7 – I'd call Father Cafarelli's style "preachy",
low-key.
In a nutshell, what was
the sermon about?
He listed what he called "the duties of Christians"
as given by St Paul in his letter to the Romans, and paralleled
them to similar passages from the constitutions of the Congregation
of Holy Cross. Jesus said, "Come, follow me," and
that is why we are gathered here tonight. We rejoice that these
two men have committed themselves to begin following Christ,
but it is only a beginning. A religious community is a body
that represents imperfectly the perfect body of Christ. Hart
and Patrick have chosen to be a part of that body. Such a choice
requires the surrender of free will. They have chosen to walk
down a path that will not be easy – but they have the Cross
to guide them!
Which part of the service
was like being in heaven?
The music, especially the singing. The back half of the room
sang like a professional choir. We especially enjoyed the opportunity
to chant in Latin once again.
And which part was like
being in... er... the other place?
Others will comment on how difficult it is to find one's way
around the Notre Dame campus – but trying to do so in the
dark was especially frustrating! There is a general lack of
signage, and what signs there are give little help (we followed
one that read "Smoker" – and it wasn't referring
to incense!). At length we parked in a vacant spot that presented
itself and stumbled on foot toward the light of the seminary.
What happened when you
hung around after the service looking lost?
We met Hart's family, whom we remembered having met three years
ago when he professed his initial vows. There followed a reception
with food and celebration.
How would you describe the after-service
coffee?
Salads, three hot entrees, desserts, wine, and beer.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
3 – A bit formal for us.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a
Christian?
Yes, the lifetime commitment of these two young men is very inspiring.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
The singing, especially, the Nunc dimittis. |
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| The Mystery Pilgrim |
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| One of our most seasoned reporters makes the Camino pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Read here. |
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