Awesome

"How awe-inspiring this place is! This is nothing less
than a house of God; this is the gate of heaven!"

Genesis 28:17

 

 

This weekend at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the re-dedication of the Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln. It is a solemnity for us here on the Hill.

The church was constructed beginning in 1899, and was dedicated and officially opened in 1907. There have been two major renovations--in 1968, and again in 1997, both of them quite extensive, particularly with the last. While the exterior of the church looks much the same as it did in 1907, the interior looks quite a bit different than it did originally--though the architectural integrity has largely been kept intact.

Of course, the feast is about much more than the building itself. Through this celebration, we commemorate all those "living stones" who have joined their prayer to Saint Meinrad Archabbey--whether as monks, students, oblates, or guests--within the larger Body of Christ, yesterday, today, and forever. In this spirit, let us pray as Solomon did upon the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem--recounted for us in the first reading for Sunday's Mass:

O Lord my God, listen to the cry and to the prayer your servant makes to you today. Day and night let your eyes watch over this house, over this place of which you have said, "My name shall be there." Listen to the prayer that your servant will offer in this place. Here the entreaty of your servant and of Israel your people, as they pray in this place. From heaven where your dwelling is, hear; and, as you hear, forgive.

-- 1Kings 8:28-30