Old churches give a sensory welcome as visitors enter. A dank greeting that often is humid, stuffy warm or clammy cold, musty with the smell of old incense and burnt candles, lets them know they are stepping into a space where worship has occurred. Memories of the guests’ previous prayer services bring life to the heaviness of visitors’ entrance to the church. Gatherings of family, friends and other church members greeting each other. Children squirming and poking each other and parents correcting them with looks and nudges add disturbance to the prayer service. Light, stained-glass windows, movement, music—organ and full-voiced singing, neighbors in Sunday apparel, the pastor raising his voice over the din of the congregation.  As the door opens to the dank residue of the past along with letting in the light of memories of worship services, we acknowledge individuals standing with others in praise of God.

By Mary Reuter, OSB