Went yesterday to St Francis' Chapel, Boston, which is run by the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. It is a small chapel in Prudential Tower, Boston and reminds me of the Gower St chaplaincy chapel.
The crucifix is a replica of the San Damiano crucifix which has a special meaning for St Francis (check this site for the story, click here to see my photo of the crucifix in St Francis'). To the left is a rondo of the Madonna and child, statues of St Francis, St Joseph and St Jude are around the walls and (electric) candles burn beneath. The US is more into candles and veneration of Saints than is Singapore. It is peaceful and quite still; strong sense of prayer. The choir was just two people- the cantor and the organist who sang the second part. But I thought the simplicity of the singing suited the chapel well.
The sermon was interesting. The priest quoted (extensively) from Bishop Fulton Sheen - that Peter sought to separate Christ from his cross, i.e. the glory without the sacrifice without realising that the two were one. He then likened the cross-less Christ to western societies in which greater laxity had crept into society on the grounds of self-fulfilment; the Christ-less cross was likened to the former communist countries where rules were harsh and compassion limited. I liked these points but did think that the extensive references suggested the sermon was put together in a hurry!
Anyway, after mass we went shopping in Prudential Tower. It is very convenient with everything we need in one spot. So it looks as though (aside from its other virtues) we will be coming back to St Francis fairly frequently :-)
I liked your summary of the homily. I thought the priest made his point very well about the cross-less Christ. The glory without the pain. I would sure plead guilty to wanting that too so it's a useful reminder that life is really otherwise. No pain no gain.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I liked that chapel a lot the couple of times I've been there. It was just a bit far from where I was living so didn't make it there very often. I tended to go to the nearest one which was run by the Franciscans nearer the financial district. Also very nice but I agree, the St Francis Chapel has a quiet serenity and elegant simple beauty that's very appealing and restful to be in.