St. Francis Xavier Basilica and New Melleray Abbey

These two spaces have many similarities and differences. They both have the distinct features that make them Catholic churches. For example they both have altars, ambos, tabernacles, crucifixes, and icons of Mary. These similarties make it possible for a non-Christian to see that both of these spaces are indeed Christian. The differences lie only in the overall styles of the two churches. The Basilica's outside and inside architecture is very ornate. It's murals and statues remind one of the majesty of God. It's design draws one's eye upward toward the murals of angels painted on the ceiling, perhaps to give a visual of angels and Heaven existing above us. The mural above the altar also has this effect, portraying Heaven with the angels and saints surrounding God. In contrast, the church at the monestary was very simple and plain. There were no murals, no statues. The walls were just the plain limestone and if one looked up they would see no paintings, only the plain wood ceiling and the wood braces supporting it. The church's architecture is not supposed to distract a person. In fact, it's supposed to free one's mind allowing a person to focus on prayer.

I started off thinking that I would most likely prefer the Basilica and it's gradeur above the monestary's church. However after visiting both I now find myself preferring the monestary's church with it's simplicity and plainness. I was stuck by the realization that the design of the church reinforces the way of life the monks live. During our tour, their belief of simplicity was continually pointed to us in different examples. The monks even find the bolts on the ceiling braces of their meeting room to be too ornate. As part of the materialistic world outside the monastic world, I would never have even had that thought enter my mind. When I made the connection that the church's designed reflected the lifestyle of the monks, I much preferrred the
monastary's church.