L.A. Cathedral
A view of the pews.
posted by Quintero at 1:35 PM
Aug 27, 2005
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- Name: Quintero
- Location: East L.A., California, United States
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6 Comments:
One of the more unfortuante (i.e., unfixable problems) in the Cathedral's design that this perspective illustrates is the placement of the choir and organ. It is impossible to move them to the rear of the church or into a choir loft. Most churches (even the wreckovated ones) still have their choir lofts. Though they go unused and cantors draw attention to themselves next to the altar, we at least have a place that we hope they eventual move back to.
Mike
Mike-
You are correct. According to the Church's liturgical norms, the choir is not supposed to be in the presbyterium, but with the assembly, whether that be in a choir loft (my preference) or somewhere else among the assembly.
There is also no symmetry in this building which is very disconcerting from any vantage point. There is really no central focus. It's bizzare. I hate it.
I have been to the cathedral twice and I don't care if I never go back again. There is really nothing there that inspires devotion. The building -- everything about it -- leaves me feeling dead inside. It's hard to explain.
I understand that people can have a wide range of opinions about such things, but, honestly, how anyone can say, as Mahony himself so often does, that this cathedral is "magnificent," and "beautiful," is beyond me.
Uh, what pews?
Well, to be fair, there are real pews with real kneelers in the catawampus nave way off in the distance in this particular photograph. The chairs you see in the foreground are in the presbyterium and are either occupied by concelebrating priests or lay folks depending on the Mass. The chair do not have kneelers.
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