"And if there is a Christ who must come, for whatever reason, to judge the quick and the dead, then let us hope and pray that he can be reminded that he is – as he has always been – his mother’s son."
This piece reminded me of a beautiful song I hadn’t listened to in years. It had been so long, I couldn’t remember the singer who wrote it and had to get creative on Google. I think you’ll like Patty Griffin’s “Mary.” Griffin was raised Catholic and has recorded a gospel album, Downtown Church, that I just discovered and am enjoying so far.
Thanks, Rona. It’s beautiful. Love this from the chorus: “While the angels are singing praises in a blaze of glory, Mary stays behind cleaning up the place.”
Love this, Adam. You hooked me with your insight about reverent preparing of spaces. I also thought of “Let It Be,” a song that came to me when I needed it most and stayed until I could, at last, let it be.
My italian ex wife dragged me to many unassuming churches in rome to see some of these incredible masterpieces about which she was somewhat obsessed. other than marvelling at the insane skill of these artists (and the memory of a very very long tiring and hot day and very uncomfortable feet coated in purple staining tincture of some sort) they dont hold a special connection for me. The Ecstasy is particularly stunning though, and quite unusual in sculpture, so i believe, for the inclusion of the golden ecstatic bolt.
There are many reasons I converted from the Christian church I was raised in to atheism, but then from atheism to Catholicism, but Mary is one. It is liberating to have a mediatrix who is not a God, but just a regular person who loves and mourns.
One of the things I grew to understand on the Camino was the how and why of the saints. or at least I think i began to understand. It seems to me now that they are each doors into the Mystery somehow. You have your natural point of entry and I might have mine. "Mediatrix" is the idea I think. Catholicism a house of many doors. My childhood faith had a house of very few doors. It gave me an appreciation for their function. Feel free to correct me if I have this entirely wrong, but "a regular person who loves and mourns" is exactly who we all are, mighty or low. And Mary in that statue is Every Mother at least in so far as she represents the purest love for another.
The essay might have an easy Female=Good, Male=Bad, but it's more than that, or that's not what I'm interested in. I'm more interested in something that mediates between rigid, intellectual structure and expansive freedom. The two need to be in balance. I'm a little off topic and the rails here, but ti helps me to talk through it, too.
If there's any more you're comfortable sharing here, please do. It won't be just me that's interested, and I'll go read your link now.
This piece reminded me of a beautiful song I hadn’t listened to in years. It had been so long, I couldn’t remember the singer who wrote it and had to get creative on Google. I think you’ll like Patty Griffin’s “Mary.” Griffin was raised Catholic and has recorded a gospel album, Downtown Church, that I just discovered and am enjoying so far.
I'd heard of Patty Griffin, but I didn't know anything about here really. Stunning words:
"Mary she moves behind me
She leaves her fingerprints everywhere
Every time the snow drifts, every time the sand shifts
Even when the night lifts, she's always there"
and
"you're covered in birds"
Beautiful. A poet.
Thanks, Rona. It’s beautiful. Love this from the chorus: “While the angels are singing praises in a blaze of glory, Mary stays behind cleaning up the place.”
“Faith like all deep passions should be treated with dignity.” Beautiful.
I read the first part of your series. Fantastic, Holly. Different "voice." Spiritual Journalism.
Trusting in love above everything else. So simple yet so hard for humans to do.
It definitely lays the rules bare.
Love this, Adam. You hooked me with your insight about reverent preparing of spaces. I also thought of “Let It Be,” a song that came to me when I needed it most and stayed until I could, at last, let it be.
That could be the soundtrack (although Rona's Mary is stiff competition. Another stunning song. Did you know her music?)
No! It’s a great song, on my playlist now. ❤️
have you seen the ecstacy of st theresa?
I hadn't until you sent me looking just now. Beautiful. Does it have a strong personal connection for you?
My italian ex wife dragged me to many unassuming churches in rome to see some of these incredible masterpieces about which she was somewhat obsessed. other than marvelling at the insane skill of these artists (and the memory of a very very long tiring and hot day and very uncomfortable feet coated in purple staining tincture of some sort) they dont hold a special connection for me. The Ecstasy is particularly stunning though, and quite unusual in sculpture, so i believe, for the inclusion of the golden ecstatic bolt.
There are many reasons I converted from the Christian church I was raised in to atheism, but then from atheism to Catholicism, but Mary is one. It is liberating to have a mediatrix who is not a God, but just a regular person who loves and mourns.
One of the things I grew to understand on the Camino was the how and why of the saints. or at least I think i began to understand. It seems to me now that they are each doors into the Mystery somehow. You have your natural point of entry and I might have mine. "Mediatrix" is the idea I think. Catholicism a house of many doors. My childhood faith had a house of very few doors. It gave me an appreciation for their function. Feel free to correct me if I have this entirely wrong, but "a regular person who loves and mourns" is exactly who we all are, mighty or low. And Mary in that statue is Every Mother at least in so far as she represents the purest love for another.
The essay might have an easy Female=Good, Male=Bad, but it's more than that, or that's not what I'm interested in. I'm more interested in something that mediates between rigid, intellectual structure and expansive freedom. The two need to be in balance. I'm a little off topic and the rails here, but ti helps me to talk through it, too.
If there's any more you're comfortable sharing here, please do. It won't be just me that's interested, and I'll go read your link now.
Also, I wrote more about grieving mothers, the Virgin Mary, and powerlessness in the face of horrible policies that lead to more children dying here:
https://doctrixperiwinkle.substack.com/p/stabat-mater-dolorosa