What happens when the pressure is on -- so many presents to wrap, food to cook, Christmas music to practice, school work to do, not to mention the usual Cooking, Cleaning, and Laundry®? Leave work undone and head out of town.
Eldest Daughter was told that the
Toledo Museum of Art had one of the best collections of Classical art in the country, so there we headed. Indeed we were not disappointed. The museum is open for six hours a day during the week, but one day isn't enough time to get through all the exhibits and the Glass Pavilion across the street. Indeed, we didn't see the pavilion at all, and had only a cursory glance at much of the main museum. The cafe had only "fancy" food, meaning that the grilled cheese sandwiches were made with large pieces of thick sourdough with multiple kinds of cheeses. The salads were made with organic baby greens with roasted fruits and nuts, and all for the low, low price of $4.99 or so. Certainly a very good deal.
Random girl poses in front of statue. I was amused, so a photo was snapped.
On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at
Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral. The cathedral was the most incredibly beautiful place I've ever seen personally. (I'm sure St. Peter's is great, but I've haven't been there
yet.) Please take a few moments and see the virtual tour, which still doesn't show the real beauty of the place.
The PA turned the lights on for us so we could snap a few pictures. The organ is on the right behind the tallest candlestick.
When we stopped, the cathedral was locked
of course, but the Pastoral Associate (
nota bene: a man!) kindly let us in and gave us a tour. As luck would have it, the cathedral organist was practicing for Christmas. What a treat!
One of several excellent side altars.
As the PA explained that the center ceiling artwork, from back to front, displayed salvation history, it was all I could do to keep from breaking down in tears. So much beauty! So much truth! Some work still needs to done; inexplicably, the tabernacle is located to the side of the altar in the baptistry, and the baptismal font is located under the baldacchino. They'll be switched soon, thank goodness.
Another fantastic feature, located on the ceilings on each side of the church, are various paintings depicting scenes from the New Testament with the corresponding prefigurement from the Old Testament. For example, half of an arched ceiling section shows Abraham readying the sacrifice of Isaac on the mountain (Genesis 22), and the other half depicts the crucifixion.
Descent of the Holy Spirit, and (we think) the pillar of fire that led the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 13.)
I was particularly impressed with a statue of the Blessed Virgin with Jesus in which she is smiling. Lovely!
The next morning, we stopped at the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation. I've heard about this place for years, but never had the opportunity to visit. Just as at the cathedral, we were the only visitors.
Side altars depicting Our Lady of Consolation.
The church was very dark, so this is the only decent upstairs picture.
Time was quite limited, so we quickly viewed the church, then went downstairs to the lower church where the collection of relics is held. Many prayers and supplications were made.
My pal from childhood, St. Pio.
Many relics. And I didn't get a picture of the case that had more relics and a skull.
We weren't able to see the spacious grounds and park; this gives an excuse to return for a longer and more fruitful visit. (The reason we had such limited time is because I needed to be at The Job, which is one hour from my house, at 4:30 p.m.)
A few days later brought Christmas Eve, in which I played for one service at 5:30 p.m., then was retrieved and transported via the Silver Bullet (my nickname for the poor unfortunate van; she used to be known as Catherine Sienna, but she's degraded enough that I feel bad about using a saint's name) to the next city north, where we caught the 7:30 p.m. vigil Mass. The family then took me back to the church job, where I commenced playing at 10:30 p.m., and finally finished at 12:40 a.m. After being approached by a man who insists that he will be my first organ student, Oldest Daughter (who stayed to keep me awake on the drive home) and I quickly stole away and finally arrived home at 1:40 a.m. For a person (me) who starts yawning at 9:30 p.m., it's quite a feat.
Thank you, Jesus, for safe travels.
