No better time to say it.
These votives are at the entrance of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City. People write their messages or prayers with Sharpies and then light them. When we were there, Della and her friend walked around them for a long time. Despite being surrounded by some pretty incredible ecclesiastical art, these candles and their homespun messages captivated them. What gets me about them is that they are messages to us as well as the departed. Whatever the writing, the candle says, "Love me. Please." How not to?
Wordless Wednesday
35 Comments
oh, wow.
ReplyDeleteand I don't know the story, Sandy.
but this just breaks me nonetheless.
Nice thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThese photos are powerful. They go straight to the heart.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful imagery and powerful message.
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
Beautiful and powerful indeed! You do capture the very best of both always, Sandy! Enjoy the rest of your week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I always liked lighting candles. Beautiful.
ReplyDeletejust beautiful.
ReplyDeleteinteresting, never knew people wrote messages on the candle holders...
ReplyDeleteI always thought that one of the most beautiful things about Catholicism was the prayer candles in every Catholic church. Do other Christian churches do prayer candles as well?
ReplyDeleteIt is odd how lighting a candle can be so soothing.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of the candles are beautiful. I've been to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It's a beautiful cathedral.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing such humbly important genius!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
indeed!
ReplyDeleteThat message really got to me.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. really moving.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
Beautiful photography and writing.;) Very touching...
ReplyDeletexoxo
That one message in front is quite touching. It is interesting how one's attention can turn from high art to simple messages...
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing. Heart warming yet tragic and sad.
ReplyDeleteMy Wednesday Post: INCOMING!!
that is a brilliant idea!
ReplyDeleteYou always have such great insight. You are right they say "love me."
ReplyDeletewow, that photo speaks volumes.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots. Powerful.
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that! Yep-I could stand there till I read them all : )
ReplyDeleteSo moving! Doesn't it make you want to stand near by and give out hugs?
ReplyDeleteVery uplifting images. Beautiful.
ReplyDeletenice photo!
ReplyDeleteIt is truly breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteWHAT - we must have missed each other by just a few days, Sandy.
ReplyDeleteI only just returned from NYC after a brief visit with the entire Authorblog family - and yes, we caught up with DarylE in Times Square!
In Borneo, in the Roman Catholic churches, we have lots of candles. We wrote notes on paper, put in a slotted box, and give some coins to light a candle.
ReplyDeleteWhat powerful pictures!
ReplyDeleteit has truly left me wordless... beautiful capture.
ReplyDeletesuch a lovely reminder. I remember the first time I lit a candle in a church was in Paris, a lovely memory.
ReplyDeleteSuch messages as "I miss you dad..." make me so sad, thinking of all the people who died in the past few years.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very beautiful post!
Beautiful, Sandy.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully touching post, Sandy. There really are no words.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteYour post helps me understand, much more than before, the aching and the purpose of the votives in those cathedrals.
Thanks to Hilary for pointing me here.
Thanks for being here.