How to Read Churches...a book to travel with...!

How to Read Churches: A crash course in ecclesiastical architecture, by Dr. Denis McNamara is an essential resource for anyone that maintains an interest in studying the history of architecture as it applies to Christian churches. The book is essentially an indispensible tool to decipher the nuances of ecclesiastical buildings that provides a wealth of information to the reader on the historical, liturgical and architectural importance each little detail holds as part of the Christian heritage. Covering the history of architecture from the Temple of Solomon right up to the present day of post modern church construction, Dr. McNamara shows through brief explanations and associated illustrations the purpose and usage aspects of all of the fine details contained in ancient, medieval, gothic and modern churches. The book has another great value as well, its size allows the reader to carry the book around as a companion when exploring various churches of Christian denominations while on those vacations that allow exploration of various ecclesiastical sites often included on tours and other pilgrimage excursions. The fine points of historical architecture that cannot be answered by tour guides or docents can be solved by making Dr. McNamara’s pocket book part of every excursion that requires information on architectural and liturgical points of design and function.

Dr.McNamara has published multiple books on Christian architecture. Currently he is assistant director of The Liturgical Institute, University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Ill. The book is published by Rizzoli International Publications, http://risoliusa.com and can be purchased directly from their site. The cost of the book is $17.95, and is an investment well made for the nascent architect, liturgist or historian.

As one that is always interested in understanding the form and function of various parts of church structures, this book provides a synthesized but deeply accurate field source to assist students, and anyone interested in learning more about the way Christian churches have evolved and the symbolism that is active from ancient times to our contemporary age. Make this book part of your required resources; it will become a faithful, dog-eared companion that enriches architectural explorations for many years.

Hugh J.McNichol is a Catholic author and journalist that comments on Catholic topics and issues. Hugh studied both philosophy and theology at Philadelphia's Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. He is currently in an advanced theology degree program at Villanova University in suburban Philadelphia. He writes daily at http://verbumcarofactumest.blogspot.com , http://catholicsacredarts.blogspot.com . Hugh writes on his Irish Catholic parochial experiences at  http://graysferrygrapevine.blogspot.com.
He also contributes writings to The Irish Catholic, Dublin, British Broadcasting Company, and provides Catholic book reviews for multiple Catholic periodicals and publishers, including Vatican Publishing House.
Hugh lives in Delaware's Brandywine Valley with his wife and daughter.
Hugh welcomes your comments via hugh.mcnichol@verizon.net.

Good Friday...makes me shiver!

The Chill of Good Friday!

The Chill of Good Friday!

Good Friday always make me shiver. When I think of the interior of my Catholic parish on this day, the cold realization of Jesus' suffering and death surrounds me. The Altar is stripped, the sanctuary is bare and the Eucharistic Lord's absence in evident by the open tabernacle doors. The intense sacrifice made by Jesus on the Cross is felt keenly in a Church sans Jesus in the tabernacle.

The quietness of the sacred space echoes faint, "Hosannas", and loud shouts of, "Crucify Him."Here in the parish Church ,in the shouting silence of the empty space, We Catholics begin to feel Jesus suffering and death. That is because we participate in His death through our own initiation at Baptism. Our common Baptism unites all of us and permits us to share in Jesus' Eucharistic sacrifice.

Good Friday does not mark the end for Jesus, nor for us…rather it a sign of hopeful expectation. That expectation transcends the historical and harsh reality of Jesus' crucifixion and death. The expectation is felt in Jesus' complete submission to the will of the Father, and the subsequent Father's power that raises Jesus from the dead. Most Catholics don't usually think of death as an expectant resurrection. Most Catholics separate Jesus' total dependence on the will of the Father from His suffering and death. Most Catholics forget to recall it is the Father that raises Jesus from the dead. We are too lost to think of these aspects of redemption. Too surrounded by the cold darkness of the power of evil. Too overcome with the physical death of Jesus. We don't like to think of a Church without a Eucharistic presence, without light and joy.

However as Catholics we need to focus on not just Jesus' death, but His impending resurrection. The impending resurrection is the theological extension of Jesus' faith in the Father. He suffers the Cross, because He believes in the Father's love. We too need to recognize the same in Jesus. We share in the mystery of Jesus' death because we are faithful of resurrection. The harsh reality of death undergoes a transformation in perspective when there is a belief in the resurrection.

God's love and power transforms the cross from a symbol of shame and death, into a true realization and expectation of new life. Jesus knows this. He trusts in the Father. The Father exhibits faithfulness to His Son and raises Jesus from the cold and empty tomb. It is only after I think of the cold reality of Good Friday am I able to sense the Father's incredible warmth and power. That's what makes us believers in faith. We know that we will not be abandoned in the solitude of death, but will participate in the Paschal glory of the warmth of the Resurrection.

When I remember that the Good Friday story has another lesson to communicate, is it possible to understand that my parish Church will be transformed on Easter Sunday morning. The liturgical reenactment of Jesus' passion is the beginning of the story, not the end. As believers, we have hope in God's power. We anticipate God's resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. When we realize this, shivering stops and I am acutely aware that there is life and warmth in the Resurrection, for Jesus, for us all.