Churches of Minneapolis

When we woke up Sunday morning, it was -24 F, but it warmed up to a balmy -10 F. during the day. We did some Bible study, stayed close to the fire, and made Christmas cookies and candy (and played with those cute kittens). With the nice Christmas music of Carols From Trinity and also Tingstad and Rumble, it was a pleasant day altogether. After a few days of this ridiculously cold weather, though, I'm beginning to feel antsy.

Ignore the picture of the kittens if I've already posted it. It's just that the days are all starting to seem the same.

ANYWAY...

Last week, for our wedding anniversary, we drove to Minneapolis and toured The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. Not your idea of a romantic getaway?

Well, just in case you ever wondered what the difference is between a basilica and cathedral, the following is from a website with the very long explanation.

"The word basilica is derived from a Greek term meaning “royal house.” In the Catholic world, a basilica is a church building that has been accorded special privileges by the pope. There are two kinds of basilicas. The world’s four major, or papal, basilicas are St. John Lateran, St. Peter, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Mary Major, all in Rome.

"Minor, or lesser, basilicas are significant churches in Rome and elsewhere in the world that meet certain criteria and are given special ecclesiastical privileges. Minor basilicas are traditionally named because of their antiquity, dignity, historical value, architectural and artistic worth, and/or significance as centers of worship. A basilica must “stand out as a center of active and pastoral liturgy,” according to the 1989 Vatican document Domus ecclesiae. 

"Because designation as a basilica indicates a special bond of communion with the pope, the parish must celebrate “with particular care” the feast of the Chair of Peter on Feb. 22, the solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul on June 29, and the anniversary of the pope’s election or his inauguration into his pastoral ministry. In the case of Pope Benedict XVI, those dates would be April 19 (his election) and April 24 (his inauguration).

More than 1,580 churches worldwide have been honored as basilicas. As of last year, 325 basilicas had been designated in the Americas; there are now 69 in the United States. 

 

"Three physical signs indicate that a church is a lesser basilica. The first is the presence of the conopaeum — a silk canopy designed with stripes of yellow and red, traditional papal colors. The second is the tintinnabulum, or bell. It is mounted on a pole and carried processionally, along with the conopaeum, at the head of the clergy on special occasions. 

"Third, minor basilicas have the right to display the papal symbol—crossed keys—on banners, on furnishings, and on the seal of the basilica. In addition, the basilica’s rector may wear a black mozetta, or cape, with red piping, buttons, and buttonholes in the exercise of his office."

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I wonder how  many people actually remember all of this. I hope we're not going to be tested on it.  But anyway, the Basilica of Saint Mary is a beautiful building, and as we entered, I asked the janitor if it was OK that I took photos. Just so you know.

Westminster Presbyterian on Nicollet Avenue

Then we drove a few blocks to Westminster Presbyterian, where we had to buzz at the front door, state our cause, and wait to be admitted. I felt kinda like a spy. But...Nicollet Avenue is all torn up in frozen road construction, but I suspect they'll try to get it finished this next summer. It's really a mess. Any construction has completely ceased for the time being.

Westminster Presbyterian is a beautiful building, but...

 Westminster Presbyterian, Minneapolis, sanctuary

And then there's St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, which we had planned to attend for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday evening. Needless to say, with the frigid temps we weren't going anywhere. Photos from 2013.

And of course we had to stop in at Brit's Pub for fish and chips before leaving the Big City.

The people to the left of the fireplace are merely ornamental.

I hope everyone's had a good weekend. I hear that the average temperature for the continental U.S. was 16 degrees F. today! Stay warm, everyone.

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