Day One:
Numbers
20 long rows of benches, 10 and 10.
16 short rows, 8 and 8.
16 crosses.
8 large windows. Simple. Natural light. 4 windows blocked by drapes.
8 flower arrangements.
6 statues of saints.
6 candlesticks. 2 tables filled with little candles burning.
5 sets of doors.
4 large paintings on the walls, 1 one the ceiling.
4 red velvet chairs.
2 chandeliers.
1 small bell on the wall.
1 dome.
1 person, me.
Sounds
Sirens of an ambulance blare outside. A horn honks. Cars race around. Noise from the outside world bleed through the walls. Inside, a woman’s heels click on the tile floor till she seats herself. A cell phone rings. Rummaging through bags. The door squeaks open and closed, quiet footprints. Soft breathing. Otherwise, silence.
Patterns and Colors:
Symmetrical. Octagons and squares uniformly placed and around the painting on the ceiling. Squares and diamonds uniformly placed on the floor. Warm color, natural golden sunlight shining in. Fairly simple furnishings, but extravagant gold details around the altar, ceiling, and chandeliers. Red and gold flickering candles on one side, empty chairs on the other. Pews aligned slightly diagonally facing the front, each a little longer than the one before.
Day Two:
People (observations on rituals with little previous knowledge of the religion)
Outside: 8 sitting on the stairs. One woman peels an orange, others visit on the steps. Three men ask for money next to their sleeping bags. 27 pigeons.
Inside: 27 people today! How unusually crowded... 28.
The woman who walked in with me:
- Dips fingers in holy water outside the door. 29, 30.
- Kneels on back bench. 31, 32, 33, 34.
- Silences cell phone.
- Kneels on bench in front. Chandeliers light up now.
- Looks around the room.
- Clutches wood beaded necklace with crucifix symbol. 35, 36, 37.
- Looks at cross at the front of the room.
- Finishes prayer, takes a seat on the bench. 38, 39, 40!
Observations of Other People in the Room
4 people reading books. A man rests his head in his hands, the places with his beaded necklace. The woman from before kneels again. A nun comes in and bows. A young girl, maybe 16, ties her scarf. Two more pull out books to read. Ah, the mass begins. That explains the crowd. Are the people singing in Polish? It can’t be French or Latin. People are singing from their heart, my heart is touched.
Day Three:
Photo
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