Lighting candles

I was in New York City recently, to visit with a neice and break up the tedium of winter.  The weather was slightly milder than home, and Manhatten has many, many indoor venues to distract and entertain.

One tradition I have when I travel is to visit a Catholic church.  It's silly, as I am what I call a roamin' Catholic, one who has lapsed from the religion and doesn't follow the sacraments anymore.  But while you can take the girl out of the church, you really can't take the church fully out of the girl.  I grew up with CCD classes and mass and no meat on Fridays, and some of those ideas have probably helped make me the person I am today.

I don't attend mass when I visit a church, but I light candles for those who have passed.  Lit candles dotted both my trips to France, where even the tiniest village had the sweetest church.  I take a few moments to remember good experiences with those lost loved ones, take measure of the current moment, and use the few minutes for reflection.  When I visit New York, I stay near St. Patrick's, a large and imposing structure.  One good thing that can be said about Catholicism is the beauty of their churches. 

Wandering around towards the back of the altar one time I discovered a chapel devoted to the Madonna.  It is lovely, small and decorated with roses and thistles in the wood carving.  A statue of Mary is the focal point, and of course, there are candles to be lit.  This has become my spot for reflection when I visit New York; a quiet place in a congested, noisy area.

I'm not alone when I visit on a weekday morning.  There appear to be many that prefer the smaller chapel to the big cathedral setting on the other side of the alter.  All ages are there, and one very interesting type of worshipper.  More often than not, I will see a gangbanger in full colors, tatts and chains and heavy boots, kneeling with his head on his hands, praying to the Madonna.  He kisses the floor as he genuflects when he leaves.  I'm left to wonder where he is going, and why he also prefers the Madonna chapel, and praying to a sweet mother saint instead of sitting in the somewhat overwhelming main church.  I am reminded each time that while we all face unique challenges in life, we seek solace in many ways that are the same.  We have our differences, yet we share many of the same needs.

My New Years resolution this year, as it is each lately, is to be less judgemental and more open hearted.  And sometimes the universe offers me the perfect example.