A Lunchtime Visit to St Patrick's

Well in my ongoing quest for inner peace and
happiness I decided randomly that today I
would visit St Patrick's Cathedral during
my lunchtime. I have always observed this
grand structure from the outside, and I
have always said that I wish to see it from
the inside. So I went and paid a visit.

What can I say of my first time experience?
Do I need to tell how beautiful and splendid
this cathedral is? Now for the record, I am
not catholic, I was raised pentecostal by my
family, and today I practice no religion at
all. However I do respect and seek to learn
of all the teachings that these practices
bring us. I am very open minded in this aspect
and can certainly appreciate the beauty and
devotion of the church and it's congreation.

Most noticeable to me where the high arched
columns. At first they appear to be just
that columns, however should you follow
them to the top with your eyes you would
see that they come together at the top
and form an arch. This pattern is consistent
all across the cathedral. I noticed the various
"shrines" to saints, I observed the candle
offerings and folks going on their knees to offer
a prayer to St. Michael or St Elizabeth after
lighting a candle and making a contribution.
Should you walk the length of the building you
would see the walls have designs in them, I
followed one which followed the crucifixion
of christ. "Jesus is sentenced to death",
"Jesus if made to carry his cross", "Jesus
drops the cross a 2nd time". I could not help
to think how this religious event has been
blended into our american language.
Statements such as "that is the cross I bare"
have come from this historical event. Most
interesting.

I took notice of the confessional rooms, and
wished I could enter. For there are many things
I wish to be absolved of. I wish that perhaps
the priest could guide me. One can't help but
notice the tinted glass, various images of christ,
his apostles, the saints paint on these windows.
Again given that I am not catholic I could not
fully appreciate this, as I do not know who is who,
however the beauty of it much like other overwhelming
images made my eyes water. I wonder why things like this
affect me so? I believe that my readings create
visualizations of these images for me, and when they
are realized when I do visit the places and I am just
filled with joy to experience it, see what perhaps a
fictional character was said to see, or that which was
described so beautifully by an author. Perhaps this
is the cause.

Well after walking I sat on the pews for a little
while. I offered a silent prayer to God asking for
guidance in my life. Asking that he help me make
decisions that are rational.

Finally I observed a woman being asked to not take
pictures of the "chapel of our lady of mercy, where
the sacred sacrement is". I do not know what this
is and I will research it. Prior to leaving I
purchased a book that claims to challenge the
Davinci Code, (.1 seller), I purchased a cd of
beautiful organ music from the cathedral, along
with 2 miniature ornaments (Baby Jesus) and
(St Michael) which I will add to my home shrine.
They will join my indian buddha, and my chinese
buddha's on the shrine.

I was left at ease when I left the cathedral but
alas I returned back to the crazy hectic NYC
lifestyle. Right now even as I type this
"a fire alarm has gone of on the 15th floor".
The people on the 15th and 16th floor are being
asked to proceed to their emergency exits in
case of trouble. So I ask myself why am I still
sitting here? Should I leave? More than likely
it will be an error, however what if it isn't,
then I guess this would be my final essay.