This was my first Catholic service since my college roommate’s wedding. I came away with so many thoughts and questions, and I’m excited to share my experience. I attended what was referred to as the “solemn mass” on the Fifth Sunday of Lent. This cathedral was built in the late 1800s on the foundation of the original cathedral that was destroyed by a fire in Charleston. You might be asking yourself what is the difference between a cathedral and a church as I did…this is what I found:

Answer #1 – The cathedral is a much larger place of worship than a church and is run by a bishop. A church is run by a group of clergymen or priests. The bishop usually resides on the cathedral premises.

Answer #2 – A church becomes a cathedral when a cathedra is placed within it. A cathedral holds a cathedra. A cathedra is a permanent seat/chair/throne/bench upon which a bishop sits during services.

Answer #3 – As cathedrals are the seat of a bishop, they are central church of a diocese. Only those Christian denominations that have bishops have cathedrals. Cathedrals can be found in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican as well as some Lutheran churches.

So, the gist is because the bishop and his cathedra are there, it is a cathedral. 

Everything from the minute I entered this Catholic service felt regal, reverent and embodied everything I perceive as “holy.”  This is the first church I’ve attended so far in Charleston that didn’t have marble memorials on the walls or mentions of previous members on the windows. Each stained-glass window was either a Saint or an Apostles/ Scripture story.  The other immediate thing I noticed were the stars on the ceiling. I was enchanted with how it brought you into the service and that moment this Sunday morning. It was the first service where I was also a bit nervous as I wasn’t sure what was happening or if I would immediately be identified as a non-Catholic. Most everyone else I saw entered the sanctuary went straight up to the altar and did the sign of the cross and then came to their pew.  Most of the crosses and other items at the altar were covered in a purple cloth, which  I assumed had to do with Lent.

The service started with lights turning up, creating an immediate energy change in the sanctuary. The procession was fascinating:  many men in various colored robes, young boys as the altar boys carrying candles and then a steaming device. A quick google search tells me it is a thurible, and it is burning incense. They then pounded their chest in citing a rite of some sort . The only other time I had seen this was when Scarlett’s Mom (Miss Ellen O’Hara) in Gone with the Wind had done it at their nightly prayers. Don’t forget – the O’Haras were good Catholics. 

When the priest (I might be using inaccurate terms, but the bulletin didn’t identify the participants) read the gospel, the other gentleman brought out the thurible again and all members did the sign of the cross as he read. Most of the service is in Latin, so it was harder to follow along. I also wasn’t clear if the rest of us were supposed to sing  The choir sang (and it was beautiful), but I found the song selections and music harder to follow than other services. I did read that the church was offering 40 hours of prayers over the next five days (part of Lent) and five (5!!!!) times to confess.

The members dressed casually – this surprised me. I expected “Sunday Best”;  instead I saw a lot of jeans, khakis and relaxed attire in contrast to the formality of the service itself.  It was the first service that conducted an offering during the hour, and they used unique baskets with long handles to reach into the pews. The communion was a significant portion of the service and taken very seriously.  It is only the bread, no wine. When members go up to the priest to participate, many had their arms crossed over their chest and then meekly offer their hands out in a cupped position to receive the sacrament.  After the communion was completed, the head priest did a robe swap (purple to white) and then a walk about the entire church with the full group in their robes, a cross, the incense—and all the members stayed kneeling THE WHOLE TIME. There is a majesty to a Catholic service that is nearly overwhelming.

The history fan in me can’t help but wonder why over the centuries Catholics have been so worked up when other religions formed.  Did it take money from their offering plates? Is it as simple as that?  Think about the wars and lives lost in Europe specifically in the 1300s-1800s over Catholics vs. _______.  Was it worth it?  I found myself doing a lot of questioning of the Catholic faith after reading Davinci Code and visiting Italy my first time. And yes, I know Davinci Code is a fictional book, but it does propose some interesting theories. When you’re in a Catholic cathedral in Italy and you look up at the demon faces who are looking down on you in judgement and prompting fear it makes you question the original intent. Was it to make members feel blessed in their faith, or fear the church so much they make a weekly offering and attend mass multiple times a week?  I don’t know the answer but it does prompt a lot of questions for me on their ultimate goal.  It is to serve God, or serve the church?

I want to do some deep dives on Saints and Catholics – the connection and history.  And that, kids, we’ll cover on another day.