A step back in time to our recent past...
...the day is All Souls Day. November 2, A.D. 2003. The place is the original home of
Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church.
Take a few steps closer to the Altar, as Fr. Moore prepares for the Consecration of the Sacred Species.
Altars are the sacred place where time and eternity meet. There are altars dating back to the catacombs beneath the streets of ancient Rome. There are altars along the side of roads. Magnificent altars can be found in great European Cathedrals, and in cities around the globe. And there are altars that speak of the holy in simply inspiring parish churches...
...like Our Lady of Walshingham Catholic Church.
Our Lady of Walsingham is an 'Anglican Use' parish - a part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galveston-Houston, TX. At the end of our website's cyber tour of this church, you'll have a link that will take you to Our Lady of Walsingham's website, so that you might learn more about this unique parish and its history. But first, let us take a closer look at the setting that inspires the faithful at this parish in Houston, TX.
The outdoor shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham has attracted and uplifted many souls. With a field of grass and green trees - the color of hope - as a setting, the shrine invites the visitor to come, rest, pray and refresh. Benches are arranged near the shrine. But many visitors or parishoners choose to stand or sit near the fountain or on the steps.
A closer look...
The shrine features a multi-level fountain of water, to our left from the statues. This sets a tone of serenity and is a reminder of the baptismal waters that bring us to new life (see 1 Peter 3:21; Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:37-38 among many verses relating to the saving waters of baptism) in the Spirit. The shrine featuers Our Lady of Walsingham, with the young Jesus being presented to us on her lap. As if to remind us of what is to come in the little Lord Jesus' life, to our right from the statues is the Crucifix, the sign of His Sacrifice for our Salvation. You will learn more about these and other religious symbols in the pages ahead.
Just as there are many levels in our lives, so too there are many levels in our spiritual journey and development. This is suggested by the many levels one sees in the shrine. The wood at the top, the trees nearby - all remind one of the wood of the Tree of Life - the Cross - that is found here. On special occasions during the year, this parish presents to the faithful a relic of the True Cross of Jesus Christ - one of many treasures to be found at Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church.
Let's return to the original church, starting at the altar...
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