La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
I know I’m a bit late to make a decision. Lent ends on the 17th, after all. But I’m not even a Christian anyway… nor am I anything else, religiously. Still, I’ve decided: For Lent, I’m giving up. Period.
Well, that’s what I’d like to do some days, but I’ll just keep plugging away, thankful for the life I have, where I live and have lived, thankful for my successes and even my failures (because I survived them and because some of them, at least, make for good stories), thankful for my special friends and family, for how much richer my life has become since I started blogging, for the comic relief I get and the love I have for The Kid Brother, and for so many other things. And thankful, especially, for San Geraldo, my patron saint, my muse, and the butt of my jokes (and for being such a good sport).
Given it’s holy week, it makes sense to share photos of a church I explored on my recent day at the museums, especially since inside the church I saw three pasos that had been delivered to the church from the brotherhoods and readied for the processions this week. The Church of San Francisco was just a few minutes from the museum. But I recognized SG’s 22-greats grandfather, Fernando III (Ferdinand) posed on the facade. He’s always easy to recognize. The church, declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1982, was one of a dozen founded by Ferdinand III in the 13th century . Renovated in the 18th century it now looks more Baroque than medieval.
I must admit I always have mixed feelings when I visit one of these churches. the architecture and artwork, sculptures and paintings, and the amount of gold, silver, and precious gems are all spectacular. The obscene wealth and the money spent to show off this wealth (most of it ill-gotten) makes me a little (more) crazy. But, as my uncle Aaron used to say, what are you gonna do?
Sé que llego un poco tarde para tomar una decisión. Al fin y al cabo, la Cuaresma termina el 17. Pero ni siquiera soy cristiana… ni soy nada más, religiosamente. Aun así, he decidido: durante la Cuaresma, me doy por vencida. ¡Punto!
Bueno, eso es lo que me gustaría hacer algunos días, pero seguiré adelante, agradecida por la vida que tengo, donde vivo y he vivido, agradecida por mis éxitos e incluso mis fracasos (porque los sobreviví y porque algunos, al menos, dan para buenas historias), agradecida por mis amigos y mi familia especiales, por lo mucho más rica que se ha vuelto mi vida desde que empecé a escribir en el blog, por el alivio cómico que encuentro y el cariño que siento por El Hermanito, y por tantas otras cosas. Y agradecida, especialmente, por San Geraldo, mi santo patrón, mi musa y el blanco de mis bromas (y por ser tan buena persona).
Dado que es Semana Santa, tiene sentido compartir fotos de una iglesia que exploré en mi reciente día en los museos, especialmente porque dentro de la iglesia vi tres pasos que habían sido entregados a la iglesia por las hermandades y preparados para las procesiones de esta semana. La Iglesia de San Francisco estaba a solo unos minutos del museo. Pero reconocí al 22 tatarabuelo de SG, Fernando III (Ferdinand) posando en la fachada. Siempre es fácil de reconocer. La iglesia, declarada Bien de Interés Cultural en 1982, fue una de las doce fundadas por Fernando III en el siglo XIII. Renovada en el siglo XVIII, ahora parece más barroca que medieval.
Debo admitir que siempre tengo sentimientos encontrados cuando visito una de estas iglesias. La arquitectura y las obras de arte, las esculturas y pinturas, y la cantidad de oro, plata y piedras preciosas son espectaculares. La riqueza obscena y el dinero gastado para mostrar esta riqueza (la mayor parte mal habida) me vuelve un poco (más) loco. Pero como decía mi tío Aarón ¿qué vas a hacer?
• El claustro fue parcialmente demolido en el siglo XIX y convertido en plaza pública. Sus materiales se reutilizaron para la construcción de un hotel y para una casa solariega.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar
Thank you so much for these wonderful pictures, Mitch ;-)!
Oops, anonymous was Jan from Perth.
Jan from Perth:
Thanks for appreciating them!
I remember kids at church being into the Lent idea. Jesus didn’t die so I could suffer…
I was so destined to be an agnostic skeptic 😂
-Adam
NEKORANDOM.COM
Adam:
I remember so many kids giving up chocolate for Lent. Never!
Good on you for writing down the good things, and the bad things that make the good things look even “gooder.” I’m glad I found your spot in the blog world asnd SG and The Boys and the KB, too.
I, too, love a church, the building and not what goes on inside, and not the possessions and the display of wealth which proves those churches believe possessions are their god.
I will put away my soapbox lest i fall off and break a hip.
Bob:
I look forward to seeing you (and Carlos) here every day. Get up on the soapbox whenever you like. I promise to be there to catch you (or at least I’ll try my best).
Those catholics certainly knew how to spend the poor people’s money – “so they could have something beautiful to look at” as one guide told us. Like you I am not of a religious bent but for lent long ago I gave up obligations.
sillygirl:
They created so many beautiful things but so many people gave up so much for them to be able to do so.
I share your mixed feelings about the display of stolen wealth in whatever form it takes (churches, cathedrals, private homes, in history or today) paid for by the exploitation and suffering of others over generations.
Debra:
I try to push those feelings aside when I see these stunning creations, but I’m never successful.
Our world is so much richer for having you in the blogosphere. Fight on!
David:
Ditto! Thank you so much!
I, too feel slightly nauseous to think of all the Aztec and Incan gold and silver treasures that must have been melted down to furnish these churches and cathedrals – just to show off. Baroque architecture and ornament is, however, quite the spectacle to behold! Jx
Jon:
And the cultures destroyed for the treasures. But, yes, it’s incredible to see.
A visit to the Vatican at age 18 pretty much opened my eyes about religion. I mean- Jesus wept. “Obscene” is the word.
As to giving up for Lent, I so wish you and I could go get coffee. I’m there too.
Let us blunder on.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
I couldn’t even bring myself to visit the Vatican. And, OK, let’s agree to at least keep trying to not give up. And coffee with you would be my idea of heaven. Are you SURE you don’t want to visit Spain. We have much better coffee.
Of that I have no doubt.
Boud here, yes, remembering Irish clergy defending the gold in church as ” nothing’s too good for God”, talking to people living day to day. Nah. Jesus didn’t hang out with the rich guys.
And belatedly saying we need you here.
Boud:
And the rich guys claim to be all about Jesus.
You’re not alone in having days of wanting to give up. Period. For me it’s every Monday, LOL; but I put one foot in front of the other and keep on Moving like Mitchell.
Shirley:
Moving like Mitchell means there’s a good possibility you’re going to pack your bags!
Lent is almost over…so no giving up after Saturday. The church in Chimayo, New Mexico where many pilgrims will be headed this week, has a much more humble decor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Santuario_de_Chimayo
Frank D:
Looks like I’ll miss my chance to give up this year.
My body gave up periods in April of 2011. What a coincidence! TMI? When I was a kid I used to wonder why people were giving up things for the stuff you brushed off of your clothes. I’m gladd you’re in the blogosphere, Scoot. Hugs.
Deedles:
I wondered if anyone would pick up on that Period. I should have known I could count on you. Your body gave up periods just as we were packing up for our move to Spain! Convenient. I’m SO glad you’re in the blogosphere Deedles. Hugest hugs back to you. Scoot
Don’t give up, Mitchell! (Though I need to remember that line since it made me laugh.) You have much to be thankful/grateful for (as do I). Dwell on the positives!
All that glitter and gold is something else. I admit it’s beautiful, but a little too ostentatious for my taste.
Kelly:
It’s tempting, but I haven’t given up yet. I was thinking of redoing our apartment to resemble one of those pasos. What do you think? Truthfully, I would LOVE one of those statues on the terrace. I wonder if they sell any second hand… i.e., super cheap.
Ha! Yes, don’t give up entirely! (I haven’t even thought about Lent and doubt I’ll give anything up. I never do. But then, I’m Presbyterian, and we’re Calvinist to begin with.)
I don’t mind all the ornamentation in churches. Rather than see it as riches, I think of it as the only method earlier civilizations had to funnel their creative energies. It’s the culmination of centuries of devotion and artistic skill, and as long as it’s on public display it still does the world some good. (Easier for me to say than someone who’s hungry, I’ll grant you that.)
Steve:
When I was a kid, my friends all seemed to give up chocolate. One of my college friends gave up drinking and swearing. She told me all about her “fucking goal” when we were belly up to the bar. Many of the churches do a lot of good (or claim to) for people in need, using the money they collect for displaying all that artistry and wealth. That helps, I guess.
What a good Catholic boy you would have been!……..says one who was convinced otherwise by Jesuit professors at the Catholic University I attended.
I am forever in the debt!!
What a magnificent church this is! Got to admit they really can do opulence perfectly.
Jim:
I was certainly raised with all necessary guilt!
I too have mixed feelings about the ugly realities that lie behind so many beautiful cathedrals and palaces and mansions. One nice, mitigating reality is that it created gainful employment to the many artisans and craftsmen who worked on those structures.
Kirk:
You’re right and I do remind myself of at least that. (Although if the Orange Menace had work done, he wouldn’t pay.)
What a sweet post from a sweet guy.
I am very anti-church and will avoid stepping foot it one at all costs.
Sassybear:
Given the number of spectacular churches around here, I enter very few. I used to love going with our friend Judy. She had hilarious comments about everything.
Love the photos!
As a lapsed catholic (I went to catholic school all through high school but it never really stuck, natch) I really appreciate all the ornaments and the Baroque attraction old churches have.
I love the pomp and circumstance they try to inspire and know for sure that all the apparent riches were ill-gotten. But hey.
They are beautiful.
I’ll forever covet one of those wood angels for my own, though…
XOXO
Sixpence Notthewiser:
Yes, those wood angels!
Thanks for keeping plugging away. I enjoy your blog and I have enjoyed getting to know you over the years. When I went to the Vatican this summer I was taken aback by the amount of wealth that the church had accumulated. It made me a bit mad actually.
Michael:
Yes, I was in Rome a couple of times and couldn’t even set foot in the Vatican. It does make me angry. The opulent lives of the pope, cardinals, and bishops are excessive for anyone, especially for those who “give up their lives to God.”
It is so hypocritical isn’t it?
I gave up for Lent and won’t be finished by the 17th. Not sure when I’ll get out of the hole I’m in. That’s quite a church those thieves and pedophiles have.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
I probably shouldn’t go inside any more churches. It just pisses me off.
Spanish Christian Churches do go over the top, same for the Churches in Latin America, very close to paganism. In Canada our churches went the other way to the point of being plain and boring. Lovely traditions you can observe throughout the week. I have noticed in Canada that it seems we are no longer mentioning Easter, the holiday now is called Earth Day. We are so PC it hurts.
Laurent:
I thought Earth Day was separate from Easter. How strange!
Earth Day is every year on April 22. Easter moves around because of the equinox, I believe. I think Easter is downplayed, yes.
It’s always a joy to see through your eyes! Food! Fun! Opulence! Cats!
Speaking of cats, one of our neighbors has a new one. It paid us a visit yesterday, boldly taking a cat nap in our back yard. Tasha saw it and barked, but lost interest quickly.
Walt the Fourth:
Do you suppose Tasha and the cat would end up being friends?
And then there was this: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedS0iHRYiGaZ6wtO8EuYirVbmK28U_Ihew8y-O80LlEWYt6Ycpb9dnwVX-ewg8mCuTNJUmTKOgl5LX_ZFOGo8pjOnuDGJaiPAXP9vQILo9pVMzqPphUFT8OfYu3TznqKkXrxJDHZGckSsyAT-uJEZtOVIpnpWApqhkzlyvOD1UGIx_XmtR52BcRklSgo/s709/BD72B9E0-3A5E-46B3-9E0B-130285BB565F.jpeg
sillygirl:
That made me gasp. Sadly so true!