I decided to head up to the Basilica gift shop over the lunch hour yesterday, so I was also there in time for Mass. Because the staff was decorating the main church, Mass was held in the crypt, or undercroft, chapel. The original builders misread the plans of the church and installed the arches in upside down, if I'm understanding correctly, so the crypt chapel was never used. But during the renovation, modern builders were able to re-establish the area through excavation and now Mass can be said there. It is most interesting - an area of brick floor and brick arches that are low and solid looking and rise periodically out of the floor. It feels very closed in and I can see that someone with claustrophobia would not like it at all. At the same time, it has a most mysterious, ancient feel - and you do expect to see burials in the little niches along the back of the arches. But there are movable wooden chairs - the kind that have a kneeler attached to the back, so you're kneeling on the kneeler on the chair of the person in front of you - and a simple altar and ambo. It is all very intimate and the Mass was quite moving. I'll see about posting photos. I'm planning on taking Paul down to the Basilica again over Christmas break and catching a noon Mass. I've posted a photo of Paul and I at the first Mass held in the Basilica following the renovation. We were able to go because I work for the Archdiocese.

Although the structure is different, the crypt church reminded me of the crypt church at Charte, where we were able to hold Mass when we were in France with the bishops. When we were in Charte, I remember being awed that we were holding Mass where Mass had been said for 1,000 years. This is truly the meaning of awesome.

And, oh, the manager of the gift shop is beginning to recognize me. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not :)