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To: NYer
I make it a point of asking our priests if they received any training at all when they were in seminary on the principles and history of sacred architecture. Did they receive any training during their liturgy classes on what makes a church Christian, what works in worship and why? I have not found one priest who has been trained in these matters.

3 or 4 years ago I went to a relative's funeral in a Roman Catholic church. This building was new -- the last time I'd been through there the lot was a parking lot. (The old building was a more traditional 19th century structure that struck me as needing renovation.) The new structure was a kind of third round design.

I found myself noting a lot of the architectural details. I wanted to quiz the priest afterwards on their significance (in light of what I'd read in the Beale book above), but did not get a chance.

6 posted on 12/07/2014 6:04:03 AM PST by Lee N. Field ("And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" Gal 3:29)
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To: Lee N. Field
The 1/3 rd round design. is "supposed" to be symbolic of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descending on Christ at His baptism in the Jordan.

Matthew 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

Others draw the analogy out to include the Dove returning to the Ark with the Olive branch.

On a side note I do think the designs are nice from an architectural point of view, but hardly "Awe" inspiring or reverential in any manner.

23 posted on 12/07/2014 8:02:17 AM PST by verga (You anger Catholics by telling them a lie, you anger protestants by telling them the truth.)
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