What it is about being in a Church that is so moving?

kerry4sam

Could someone tell me what it is about being in a Church that is so moving?

Every year, from as long as I can remember, my Late Loving Dad (now Resting in Peace since 20 December 2013) & I would do the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday in our local Franciscan Friary.
It didn't matter if
~ I was working early (Dad would wait until I finished and then we would both go)
~ I was working late (Dad would ensure he drove me to work that day so we could do the Stations of the Cross together before I went into work)
~ I was working a split-shift (Dad would collect me on my break and drive me back to work afterward)

until this year!
Every year from as long as I can remember, ... , until this year!

I set my alarm real early yesterday to ensure I had more than sufficient time to do the Stations of the Cross in our local Franciscan Friary on Good Friday before I visited his grave, before I went into work the late-shift.

All throughout I felt this presence, like he was walking with me, it was surreal. At each cross I could feel myself welling up, though never cried. Others around me notice the tears in my eyes by the way they looked at me, but thankfully never said anything. They just left me be.

What is it about being in a Church that is so moving; that brings emotions to the fore; that is soul-searching...

I can't quite put my fingers on the words I am looking for and hopefully someone in here can assist.

Thanking You,
kerry4sam

FISMA

kerry4sam wrote: »

Could someone tell me what it is about being in a Church that is so moving?

Perhaps, the presence of God?

Benny_Cake

Sorry for your loss. That's a really nice memory to have of your Dad and it's not surprising that doing the stations without him for the first time would trigger a powerful emotional reaction.

As to why churches are so moving in general...I'm not fully sure. God is present everywhere after all, but I find it moving in a place of worship to think of all the generations of people who worshipped there, marking the joyful and sorrowful moments of their lives. I'm no longer a Catholic but I really appreciate the fact that many Catholic churches still keep their doors open all day. There's nothing like sitting in the silence of a church in a busy city centre - it's good for the soul if I'm having a mad day.

Turtwig

Put simply, you felt the essence of God. In a similar way to why people are reluctant to wear the clothes worn by a serial killer. Certain objects and environments are associated with essences by us. For most Catholics who visit a church that's God.

Lovely post to read, OP.

nagirrac

Really nice, although heartrending, post. One of the hardest things about existence is when a parent dies and in addition to the loss of a loved one you have to confront your own mortality, in many cases for many people for the first time or at least for the first time truly seriously. I lost my own Dad many years ago but still feel his presence always with me, especially doing things we did together like gardening or watching hurling matches. I can never watch a hurling match involving Galway even today without the vivid memory of his face when the final whistle blew in 1980 and finally Galway won an AI. It was a huge weight lifted off his shoulders and all the years of swearing from behind the fence or at the television were forgotten in an instant (to make it even better a young lad from his own home place was MOTM).

I am firmly convinced that memories (for want of a better word) are somehow imprinted in places. I have been in a few buildings where I have been overwhelmed by dread, hair standing on the back of the neck stuff, and just want to run out of there. Conversely, although I am not a frequent visitor, I get the same feeling as the OP in places of worship that at times can be overwhelming. Although the skeptical may have a pop at this statement, I do think the only logical concept of God is expressed in bidirectional love, not from an egotistical standpoint, more like the love we have for an 8 month old and the love we perhaps imagine they have for us. There is simply nothing more rewarding that I have encountered that comes close to the first smiles from a little wobbly head.

I can't explain it either, but feel no need to try and do so. Life at times is something to be experienced rather than analyzed.

Geomy

I was raised a Catholic but now I'm non practicing.
I am more into new age spirituality, I have always felt more peaceful in Church of Ireland church's rather than Catholic Churches.

And there's more serenity in ruined churches than modern day church's.

gillmelly

To answer the OP, the joy and peacefulness you felt overcoming you is a sure sign of the holy spirit.
I know that feeling, and nothing else really compares to it.

I was raised a Catholic and now I'm practicing
Never got nothing but an empty and suspect feeling from new age spirituality
I've always felt most peaceful in Catholic churches, especially in the real presence of Christ, I love the artwork and beautiful stained glass windows found in most Catholic churches.
I've always found other denominations churches to be bland and soulless places, some of them remind me more of courthouses than chapels.

ryan101

The stations of the cross is a very spiritual and much underrated devotion.

I love going into the chapel on my own and meditating at each station and saying a few prayers, it brings great comfort to know whatever you are going through, Christ went through worse for us. Some of the artwork on the old stations and stained glass windows are amazing. Very spiritual, each with their own story to tell.

A lovely memory to have of your father OP, and what a great way to pass the faith onto you. God rest him.