My mom was visiting this past weekend, and we went to visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. I’ve been several times, but we’ve managed to live here seven years without Kassie or my mom seeing it. The immensity of the building is striking, and I find it to be quite beautiful on the outside. The mosaic theme is taken way too far inside, and visiting always reminds me why I am not Roman Catholic: “To Jesus through Mary” is inscribed above one of the chapels to the Virgin, and that is the theme of the entire building.
But the “best” discovery on this trip was in the gift shop. I’m not sure if this is A Little Leaven blog-worthy, but I found it humorously revolting. Just drop the girly-girl tiny angel in water and watch her grow!
As for me, I prefer the ugly, bad-[expletive deleted] angel with a sword protecting me:
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I remember visiting this place during my summer in Balitimore. It has been stuck in my head for thirteen years as the cheesiest catholic kitsch store known to man. I’m glad some things never change.
Heh, that made me laugh. I would definitely prefer the second angel to the first.
Now I must do homework for a class I haven’t had yet. o_O
Father Esget,
Love that woodcut! I ought to print that and hang it above my bed as a visual aid to “Let Thy holy angel be with me that the wicked Foe may have no power over me.”
I agree with you completely….I can’t stomach feminine or infantile angels. I prefer the angels depicted in the Durer woodcut at the introduction to the FC in the Reader’s BOC. Serious angels for serious work!
incredible!…and the 16th century in many respects much better understand “spiritual warfare” than most Christians today, as illustrated in the woodcut.
{ 1 trackback }