#5: Holy Name Cathedral

The 40x40 project is intended to inspire me out of my comfort zone to try new things. Last week I spent time in Chicago for my organization’s annual conference and between preparation and participants arriving, I had a few free hours on Sunday morning. Typically I would use that rare free time to either sleep in or head to the hotel fitness center.

Instead, and inspired by 40x40, I forced myself to wake up early and walk deeper into the city to attend a church service.  I go to church almost every Sunday so that in itself does not constitute material for 40x40, yet there were several new experiences embedded in the morning. I took a 25+ minute walk, each way, alone into Chicago – and it wasn’t related to shopping on Michigan Avenue. And I visited a stunning, world-renowned cathedral – again, alone (not sure I’ve ever been to a church service without the company of family or friends). Achieving those things were my original justification for the post. However, I quickly realized that what I was experiencing was so much more.

You see, although I was born, raised and will always be a Christian, I had never attended a Catholic Mass. I have many Catholic friends and have been to several Catholic weddings, but I realize now that I have never truly understood the core differences between Catholic and Protestant worship.

I love – and feel very comfortable in – my church. We have a band and we sing the same songs I hear each day on the radio in my car. Our pastor often wears jeans and almost always tells jokes to emphasize his points. We laugh and we cry. We pass a tray for communion and a plate for offering and celebrate baptisms with applause. I guess you’d consider us contemporary with a few traditions sprinkled in.

What I experienced last Sunday – while no better or worse – was different.  The kneeling and standing, presence and authority of the church leaders, traditional hymns, formal communion and overall serious tone caused me to think about the ceremony of religion. I admit I felt a little uncomfortable – not because of the rituals, but simply because I felt like an outsider, unsure of what to do or say.  

I must acknowledge and thank the stranger beside me who seemed to sense I was new and silently made attempts to help me through – gesturing towards the program in the pew, motioning me in the right direction for the walk forward for communion and prompting me when it was time to turn down the kneeling bench. I followed the cues of those around me and awkwardly wobbled thru the service, most at ease when scripture was read and slightly intimidated by the unfamiliar Holy water, making of the cross sign and genuflection. Are those traditions reserved for Catholics – or should I participate as a visitor? Was it disrespectful if I didn’t join in? I had so many questions, but then it occurred to me that Catholics might feel the same uneasiness if they visited my place of worship, Compass Christian Church. Maybe someday I’ll have the chance to be that stranger helping a visitor find their way.

While I acknowledge we have some fundamental differences in beliefs, we all worship the same God and believe in the same Word.  And although I had never before said ‘Peace be with you,” to those worshiping around me, I’ve certainly felt that sentiment.

I appreciate Holy Name Cathedral opening their beautiful doors to all worshipers. I enjoyed and was enlightened by the experience.