We actually kept on with the Creativity theme a bit longer as we went into Santa Fe to see some of the work of local artisans and a couple of interesting worship spaces. We visited the historic plaza (Santa Fe is 400 years old this year) and went to the Roman Catholic Cathedral, dedicated to St. Francis. Much of the devotional art there is infused with the style of the southwest and was quite beautiful. A dedicated but also aggressive member of the congregation interacted with several of us (among the other hundred or so visitors) to ensure that we were not using flash photography and that we were being respectful. We did our best. We also visited a local artists’ street market and the Loretto Chapel.
The Loretto Chapel, strictly speaking ceased being a chapel in the early 1970s as the order of nuns who administered it had to close it and withdraw. It now is a museum, really, and not a worship space at all. However, it is here that there is a remarkable spiral staircase that an anonymous carpenter built without pay, so the story goes. No nails either, apparently. The staircase has puzzled observers and architects for many years for its simple design that has no obvious means of support – neither a central column nor external supports. Additional elements have been added over the years (such as a bannister and a few external supports in recent years), but it stands as a remarkable piece of creative work, at the very least.
From Santa Fe, we drove on. We passed through Tucumcari, NM, and said hello to Fr. George’s old church (one of them, anyway).
Then, on to the Helium Capital of the World, Amarillo, TX and partook of local cuisine at the regional chain “Taco Villa.” Our destination here was the Quarterman Ranch, the local Episcopal Church camp and Fr. Andrew’s once-upon-a-time spiritual homebase (where he went to camp and worked at camp from 1978-1994 or so). We stayed at the Ranch House, which is the historic home when this property was originally a ranch. Showers and air conditioning for all — yay!
We discussed here a theme of sacrifice – but looked at this term in its root form: to make holy. We also looked at the impulse of love which is at the heart of sacrifice in the Christian use of the word (God’s sacrifice for us; our sacrifices for one another) and spent time in prayer and reflection, alone and one with another. We shared Eucharist in the Chapel (of all places) and then shared, very intentionally, with each other how we had come to love one another and what we appreciated in each other. Though this was time-consuming and on into the night, it was worth that sacrifice. We all need to hear that we are lovable and, as importantly, why we are lovable. It was a powerful night. The adults then collapsed into sleep and most of the pilgrims began a game of sardines.
