Sacred Doors

All of you photographers who are participating in Jientje's "Doors" challenge know immediately that I did not steal this photo from Mr. Google. It's woefully off-kilter and not a good photo. But these doors on the west facade of Notre Dame in Paris evoke powerful memories, and for me, that's what photos are supposed to do. When I visit Paris, I try to attend either Mass or Vespers here at least once. An interesting 'pilgrimage' for someone who isn't even Catholic! But, I adore the music and the feelings I experience in this magnificent cathedral. Even when surrounded by throngs of tourists, entering these doors takes me to a special place within myself. Yes, I even had a vision on my very first visit! It was during prayer (I know, I should have been praying instead of having visions!) when suddenly I could see in my mind's eye, thousands of faithful feet over the centuries. Feet marching, standing, processing on these same floors. Feet clad in wooden sabots, hard leather boots, delicate satin; feet of the poor, the homeless, the wealthy elite, and the ruthless. All there, just like me, to worship. That connection with history startled me momentarily, but soon gave way to delight.

On Easter Sunday 2007, Marie and I attended Mass here with thousands of others. As we left the Cathedral, its bells began ringing joyfully; all its doors were flung wide open. The miracle of Easter spilled out onto the parvis, an experience I'll never forget.

These doors, then, open onto the sacred and in turn, let the sacred flow back out into the world.