I visited the Catharine Convent Museum during my vacation which officially ends today. It was not my first visit, but I do not always have the time to post an immediate reflection concerning the places that I’ve visited, and the impressions made on me.

When I visited again last week with my grandsons, I realised how deep and lasting were the first impressions.

As I grow older, I understand better, that precious and beautifully handcrafted ornaments can help to inspire a sense of awe and evoke worshipful responses. I have, myself, gone through a phase of disdain for golden crosses because I thought that they make Christ’s suffering seem somewhat light. I used to feel that many church ornaments, so rich in comparison to the property of many worshippers, can be unhelpful. Now, I generally prefer to wear an ordinary wooden cross (though (I must admit that practice developed only after my handcrafted ebony cross broke!)

On my first visit to this museum of Christianity in the Netherlands, I gazed upon this item (below left) and was transported back to my childhood parish church- St. Patrick’s Grand Bay, Dominica.

As I looked at it, I recalled the singing O Salutaris Hostia. Yes, I knew what the Latin words meant. Just viewing this treasure evoked memories of saints that I knew but who are long gone, and of shared community experiences like Fete Isidore and so much more. Fete Isidore and so much more …

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Christus op de koude steen – Christ on the cold stone

There were also new impressions, of course – like what struck me as I gazed on this stone carving of the lonely Jesus on the stone (above) . The Bible may not refer to it, but it was my glimpse of Jesus in Gethsemane- alone out in the cold! . I was surprised that this struck me in pretty much the same manner, but this time, I was moved to pray for those who earn a living through craft. I prayed for lonely people. I prayed a prayer included in the MCCA liturgy for the Lord’s Day- for “those whose work is not appreciated.” I was truly moved.

Maybe I just love art and craft. Maybe that is more so because when I was in high school, art and craft did not carry enough value for me to be encouraged to learn them. I was, they said “too bright not to study science”. Well, I’ve done that; and here I am, enjoying every bit of art and craft that I come across when time allows for it. I know that I’ll be back to that museum and many others. My Museum Kaart gives me access to over 400 places in the Netherlands where I can feast my soul and enjoy the work of others.

If I live another few years, that will still be short time to enjoy what my predecessors have left behind.