Sunday, December 18, 2016

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."

***

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.


Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning
 

Judy

19 comments:

Terra said...

I love this post with the beautiful architecture; I can see why the first church is designated a basilica. The building would be right at home in Paris, a great compliment. And then fish and chips, a nice celebration for you.

Linda said...

Beautiful churches, indeed!!
You have some seriously COLD winters!!! It was 16 degrees here in North Texas this morning and that's MOST unusual!! It never got up to 32 degrees today! I do not know how you handle such cold weather! We must be a bunch of wimps down here! Still, I do love weather events and it's been kind of fun to experience some truly cold temps!

Elizabethd said...

What beautiful photos of some stunning architecture.

podso said...

I enjoyed seeing them all, inside and out. This is totally something we would do. Glad you stayed in and kept warm. The kitties are always fun to see. Keep the pics coming!

Susan said...

Thanks for the tour. There is something about old churches.....or is that stating the obvious.

Marcia said...

Lovely to see the churches decked out for Christmas.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Amazing! And it looks beautiful with the Christmas wreaths. The weather is crazy for most of the country. And for some odd reason, we are above normal. I won't complain though! Take care and find something else to bake to warm the kitchen! Sweet hugs, Diane

Tired Teacher said...

Happy Anniversary and thanks for taking and posting photos of your outing.

Anonymous said...

Such interesting information about Basilicas etc. I'm going to check and see if there are any out here on the pacific northwest. Your anniversary trip sounded very nice. I'm hankering for some fish and chips now!

MadSnapper said...

They are all beautiful churches no matter what they're called. Absolutely gorgeous buildings. I took from all of this at Church By Any Other Name is still at church. The two kittens warmed the cockles of my heart and made me smile really big. I almost started to shiver when I read your temperature. And I started to feel guilty because I complained all day yesterday about our Heat so much so that I had to turn on air conditioning.

Heide at ApronHistory said...

We were a balmy -2 yesterday! The churches are beautiful. I wonder if any of our Episcopal churches have the lessons and carols services. I will have to check.
Last night we watched Max Lucadio's The Christmas Candle (via Amazon). I think you will like it. It is set in 1890's England about a small village. Your comments on Advent reminded me of it.

Stay warm and hang in there! I hear a heat wave is coming, in the mid 20s later this week!

Jenny Woolf said...

That basilica is a particularly handsome building inside and out. Thanks for the pictures. I don't envy you with such cold weather. I don't mind extreme weather for about a day and then it starts to bug me too, but luckily we rarely have anything too extreme there. Had family members who used to live in Minneapolis though and it does sound mighty cold. They then moved to Arizona (!) :D

Terri D said...

We have one of the 69 Basilicas right here in Central Florida: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Mary,_Queen_of_the_Universe

And I have been to Mass in this one, too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Cathedral_(New_Orleans)

Your photos are beautiful of all the churches you visited. I am so sorry you couldn't go back to enjoy the concert because of the cold weather. Stay warm, my friend! Stay warm!

Linda Kay said...

Judy, churches are beautiful and the kitty's are so cute. Have a very Merry Christmas this weekend!

carrie@northwoods scrapbook said...

Love it Judy! What a fun post - and that basilica is gorgeous!! My Hubby and I have special memories of St. Paul's Cathedral in the Cities. We've been there for mass and through the years have loved popping in there. Such a big old gothic Cathedral feel in there. We have a painting of it in our home that we usually have on top of our fireplace if you look back in photos. ;)

Thanks for sharing the tour and cool info!! Stay warm - at least this week that's a little easier to do. xoxo

NanaDiana said...

That basilica is just gorgeous, Judy. I did not know the difference between a cathedral and a basilica-that is interesting. Oh- It is so so cold here, too. I am just never ready for it--now maybe if I had some sweet little kitties to keep me warm.......... xo Diana

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Beautiful buildings to house the church, Judy. We always enjoy visiting houses of worship--big or small. Your weather is making me shiver. I know you have a warm fire and sweet kitties to keep you warm. Merry Christmas to you and your family. ♥

Lowcarb team member said...

Just had to stop by to say ... the architecture is wonderful in your photo's, and also to wish you, and your family a merry Christmas.
Enjoy this most special time of year.

All the best Jan

Devilish Angel said...

Wow...Majestic...

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