The Physical Church: Beauty and Intentionality

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus is breathtakingly gorgeous. Basilica Mass is packed both on football weekends and during daily Mass, faithful from all over the world make pilgrimages to the Basilica every year, and it is rumored that the wedding waiting list is years long.

We are incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to worship in such a beautiful space. A particular feeling of peace overwhelms me when I step through the massive front doors; the calm brought on by the stunning murals, the certain scent of incense, and the hushed whispers remind me that I am very much in the presence of God. What makes a space like the Basilica so conducive to this overwhelming recognition of the presence of Christ? This week I had the opportunity to speak with the rector of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Father Peter Rocca, C.S.C. Let’s explore what he has to say about the layout of the Basilica and other Catholic churches and why we worship in the spaces that we do…

Picture from Notre Dame Campus Ministry

Our line of sight and the Sacraments of Initiation

In the main entrance to the Basilica stands a water font. This is filled with holy water and symbolizes the sacrament of Baptism, an event that marks the entrance into Christian life. The sacrament of Baptism is the gateway to the altar and the reception of the Eucharist, so the placement upon immediate entrance to the church is fitting. When Catholics enter the church, we dip our hands in this holy water (there may be smaller holy water “stoops” in chapels and churches) and make the Sign of the Cross, reminding us of our Baptisms. (Fun fact: the wooden part of the font in the Basilica is from the font Father Sorin built!)

The next “big thing” we run into on our way into the Basilica is the ambry. This is a beautiful case that holds the holy oils: Chrism, Oil of Catechumens, and oil for anointing of the sick. These oils are used in Baptism (Chrism) and Confirmation (Oil of Catechumens), adding one more sacrament of initiation represented by the physical entrance into the church.

Finally, as we walk around the holy water font and past the ambry down the center aisle, we see the altar directly in front of us. This is where the liturgy of the Eucharist occurs and where we gather together as a family to share in and “give thanks” (Eucharist) for the gift of Christ. All three of the sacraments of initiation are represented in our literal walking into the Basilica, which reminds us of our choice to “walk into” our chosen way of life as Catholic Christians.

Picture from ttamba.wordpress.com

Three focal points

There are three main focal points at the front of the Catholic church: the altar, ambo, and presider’s chair. These are the three locations where most of the action takes place during Mass. The altar is the table of the Eucharist, the ambo is the table of the Word, and the presider’s chair is where the priest stands for the majority of Mass, leading the congregation through the Liturgies of the Word and the Eucharist.

Additionally, all Catholic churches should have one principle crucifix, or a cross portraying the crucifixion of Christ, at the front and visible to the congregation.

Picture from The Daily Domer

The Tabernacle

One of the most important elements of any Catholic church is the tabernacle. This is where the consecrated Eucharist is stored, or bread that has been transformed into the Body of Christ through the process of transubstantiation, which takes place during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The tabernacle in the Basilica is particularly stunning. The tabernacle and a sacrament tower make up the altar of reservation, which fills the space in the Basilica beautifully. The tower is designed after Revelation 21, which portrays the vision of the heavenly New Jerusalem. The tower is twelve-sided, representing the twelve gates to the New Jerusalem, each side inscribed with the name of one of the twelve apostles and complete with an angel (see Revelation 21). The tabernacle area in any Catholic church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved is complete with a sanctuary lamp, which burns constantly before the Blessed Sacrament within the tabernacle to indicate the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Picture from blogs.nd.edu/oblation

Picture from The Spirit of Notre Dame by Dorothy Corson

The atmosphere: stained glass windows and murals

One of the most notable features of the Basilica are its rather innumerable stained glass windows and spectacular murals on the walls and ceiling. The images in both of these mediums largely depict angels and saints: holy men and women. As Catholics, we believe that these men and women participate in the Mass. Just before we sing the “Holy, Holy” during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the presider might say, “And so, with the Angels and all the Saints we declare your glory, as with one voice we acclaim” – so we, as a people of faith, actually join in the worship of the angels and saints, real men and women who have gone before us.

Many churches are decorated with stained glass windows and murals, and many portray saints. These holy men and women serve as role models, intercessors (we ask them to pray for us, just like we would ask a living family member or friend to pray for us), and members of the heavenly assembly whom we join in worship.

Picture from Stephen S.'s flickr

Picture property of Luigi Gregori

Next time you’re in the Basilica or any church, keep the elements of the physical church and the intentionality behind them in mind. The layout of any church is significant, from furniture to decorations, and we only covered a small portion of those in a Catholic church in this post. The Basilica is a great example of extreme attention to beautiful detail when it comes to worship spaces. For an online tour of this beautiful church, click here!