Mother Mary is such an important and beloved figure in history. She represents an aspect of the sacred feminine that so many people cherish. Churches are places that anyone can visit to have a moment of meditation, reflection, or prayer in her presence. Many people believe she hears everyone's prayers.
St. Patrick's Cathedral is an iconic church and a vibrant part of New York City. It has a museum-like quality to it, as it is rich in history, and it is a public space that is often filled with tourists. It is a bit like a spiritual adventure land there, with machines upfront where they take $1 and $5 for souvenir coins (St. Patrick and Our Lady of Guadalupe with the Cathedral on the back). It is also home to Our Lady of New York and the beautiful Lady Chapel.
I made my way to the very, very back of the Cathedral and suddenly there was this beautiful, magical well-lit small chapel (as compared to the dim cathedral). The energy was palpably different than the other areas. You can truly feel Her presence. You can light a candle or two and sit in prayer and contemplation. The chapel has a stillness to it that makes it more of a liminal experience.
A visit to Our Lady is a bit of a time out from the world, even though she is located on busy Fifth Avenue, near Rockefeller Center. Find out more about St. Patrick's here.