1 Anonymous female student Dr. Greenberg World Religions Spring, 2013 Reflection: A Catholic Mass On Thursday, February 21, I attended the 12:10 mass at St. Mary’s Chapel, located behind the altar of the Sacred Heart Chapel, at Loyola Marymount University, and presided over by the Rev. John Galvan. After the service, Sister Joanna Carroll was kind enough to answer any questions I might have. I arrived shortly before the service began, and had ample time to observe my surroundings. The congregation was meeting in what seemed to be the ambulatory of the chapel; the ceiling was vaulted, and ribbed. There were few chairs, as the service was small. The circular walls were white and bare, save for a statue of Mary looking down and to the side, in the direction of the cross, located in the center of the space, behind the altar. This crucifix showed Christ, and was created from muted shades of brown and gold, which made it stand out from the purple cloth hung behind it. Two candles, lit, stood on either side of the altar, upon which was situated a white table covering. Off to the side there was a pulpit, where a bible sat. In towering stained glass overlooking the congregation were biblical figures, including Francis Xavier, Ignatius of Loyola, Mary, St. Joseph, and Jesus—described as the “King of Kings.” The space itself was at the same time intimate and intimidating. The high ceilings and bare walls drew one’s attention skyward, towards the watching eyes of the imposing figures in the stained glass. One came to the inevitable conclusion that one was small and easily seen in the eyes of the Lord. The intimate nature of the space came from the relatively small number of congregants and the relatively small area of the chapel; while, then, one was aware of God’s presence on high, one never came to the conclusion that one was simply a number at a service, but could feasibly commune with God through his emissary, the priest. As the time to begin the service neared, I took my seat at the back of the chapel and observed others entering. Once in the space, many would head to the back of the room; there rested a small table, upon which there lay two bowls, one containing wafers and another, empty. Those entering would take up a wafer and place it in the empty bowl before taking their seats. The mood was contemplative, somber, and quiet, as each person seemed to be in his or her own world of prayer and thought. Shortly thereafter Rev. John Galvan emerged from the side of the chapel and, dressed in purple robes (in emulation, it would seem, of Jesus), he went to the altar and kissed it reverently. Then the greeting was said: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” To which the congregation responded: “And with your spirit.” I noticed from the beginning that this call and response played an important part in the Catholic mass, and it continued throughout the service. Only once did t.

1. 1
Anonymous female student
Dr. Greenberg
World Religions
Spring, 2013
Reflection: A Catholic Mass
On Thursday, February 21, I attended the 12:10 mass at St.
Mary’s Chapel, located behind the altar of the Sacred Heart
Chapel, at Loyola Marymount University, and presided over by
the Rev. John Galvan. After the service, Sister Joanna Carroll
was kind enough to answer any questions I might have.
I arrived shortly before the service began, and had ample
time to observe my surroundings. The congregation was meeting
in what seemed to be the ambulatory of the chapel; the ceiling
was vaulted, and ribbed. There were few chairs, as the service
was small. The circular walls were white and bare, save for a
statue of Mary looking down and to the side, in the direction of
the cross, located in the center of the space, behind the altar.
This crucifix showed Christ, and was created from muted shades
of brown and gold, which made it stand out from the purple
cloth hung behind it. Two candles, lit, stood on either side of
the altar, upon which was situated a white table covering. Off to
the side there was a pulpit, where a bible sat. In towering
stained glass overlooking the congregation were biblical
figures, including Francis Xavier, Ignatius of Loyola, Mary, St.
Joseph, and Jesus—described as the “King of Kings.”
The space itself was at the same time intimate and
intimidating. The high ceilings and bare walls drew one’s
attention skyward, towards the watching eyes of the imposing
figures in the stained glass. One came to the inevitable
conclusion that one was small and easily seen in the eyes of the

2. Lord. The intimate nature of the space came from the relatively
small number of congregants and the relatively small area of the
chapel; while, then, one was aware of God’s presence on high,
one never came to the conclusion that one was simply a number
at a service, but could feasibly commune with God through his
emissary, the priest.
As the time to begin the service neared, I took my seat at
the back of the chapel and observed others entering. Once in the
space, many would head to the back of the room; there rested a
small table, upon which there lay two bowls, one containing
wafers and another, empty. Those entering would take up a
wafer and place it in the empty bowl before taking their seats.
The mood was contemplative, somber, and quiet, as each person
seemed to be in his or her own world of prayer and thought.
Shortly thereafter Rev. John Galvan emerged from the side of
the chapel and, dressed in purple robes (in emulation, it would
seem, of Jesus), he went to the altar and kissed it reverently.
Then the greeting was said: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be
with you all.” To which the congregation responded: “And with
your spirit.” I noticed from the beginning that this call and
response played an important part in the Catholic mass, and it
continued throughout the service. Only once did the priest
intone how to respond: “Lord, on the day I called for help, you
answered me.” Otherwise the responses were known by the
congregants, or could be read from a pamphlet as the service
continued.
After the opening prayers was a reading from Esther, said
by a student, and following that another reading from Matthew,
from which I recognized verse 7:7—"Ask and it will be given to
you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened
to you.” The bible was kissed after this, and the priest went into
a short sermon. “Today’s readings,” he began, “were about
prayers.” Continuing, the priest declared that we’ve all asked
God for things, and that our prayers are not always answered
the way we wish them to be—so why, he asked, does Jesus say

3. knock, and the door will open? It depends, ultimately, on what
we are asking for. Here Rev. John Galvan mentioned something
that struck me: our prayers reflect our relationship with God. If
we ask for something superficial—like a good test grade—then
our relationship is ultimately superficial and egocentric. We
must ask ourselves, then, what it is that we really need to ask
for to be a child of God. Following his sermon, the priest bowed
before the altar and proceeded to more prayers. These prayers,
however, were offered up to the entire room—that is, if anyone
wanted to pray concerning anything, it could be said now. After
each prayer—one person, for instance, prayed to stop human
trafficking—the congregation intoned, “Lord, hear our prayers.”
Communion was held shortly thereafter. The wine and
bread were blessed, and the Lord’s Prayer was recited with
hands outstretched. The priest took some for himself and then
offered it to the first member of the audience who was waiting
at the side of the altar. Then all those who wished to receive
communion went up to the front of the space and took the wafer
and a sip of wine before sitting back down. After this, the
service was finished— Rev. John Galvan bowed to the altar a
second time, took the bible, and left.
Following the mass, I took several questions to Sister Jo. I
asked, first and foremost, why people came in and placed a
wafer in the bowl at the back of the sacred space. She told me
the wafer was actually called the “host,” and was made of
“unleavened bread.” The bowl was used for smaller services, so
that it could be known how many would take communion.
Otherwise the host was found in the main of the Sacred Heart
Chapel, within a tabernacle, or metal box, whose title literally
meant “house of bread.” (This tabernacle holds the extra host, if
any is left after the mass, and is reserved for the sick.)
Following, then, I asked if communion happened at every
service—for, being of a Protestant leaning, I was used to it
occurring perhaps once a month. “Yes,” she said, “it happens
every day around the world.” I asked if the priest had to drink
the remaining wine from the ceremony, and she affirmed—all

4. had to be used.
After, I inquired as to the basic format of prayers. She told
me that this basic format stayed the same in every mass, but that
the “reading and responses” changed everyday. The priest, she
explained, read from a “Sacramentary.” When asked why the
priest kissed the altar, Sister Jo informed me it was a sign of
respect. She then proceeded to explain that at Sunday masses,
extra prayers were added for Solemnities. The “Glory to God,”
which begins: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace
to people of good will;” as well as the Apostles’ Creed, which
begins: “I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth…”
The relationships among the congregants, and between the
priest and the congregants, struck me as very formal—
especially compared with the Jewish service I attended for the
paper previously. Those gathered did not speak during the
service, except when the call and response was required of
them, and they did not address each other upon entering—
merely took their seats quietly. The only time those gathered
did address each other was when, after group prayers, people
gave peace to those around them with the phrase, “Peace be
with you.” The relationship between the priest and those
gathered was, as such, ceremonial and rather reserved—his
robes clearly demarcated him as someone not of the laypeople,
but as a bridge between God and the congregants, and so we
were immediately separated from him. Following the service he
did not stay to speak to anyone gathered, but quickly and
quietly left the ambulatory. Given, as well, the sacred mystery
of the Eucharist, and the knowledge that he could change the
host and the wine into the body and blood of Christ, the priest
was placed on a level of sanctity that seemed to rest high above
the congregants present.
The service itself seemed to be steeped in tradition,
resulting in an overall tone that was solemn and respectful, as if
the congregation was in awe of the power above them (made
aware of this by the space and the architecture) and wanted to

5. do their best to pray to and respect a powerful God. From those
prayers said, I felt that most present sought guidance from the
Father and sought to show glory to Jesus by recognizing the
sacrifice made on the cross.
Overall I found the experience immensely eye-opening. It
was amazing to see the service of a Christian denomination
distinctive from my own, and to notice the similarities and
differences that rested between each. Whatever these
differences, however, it was clear we were ultimately of one
faith, tied by a belief in God and His Son.
First I want you to talk about the temple as if you were there.
The paper should focus on the Humanistic Buddhism and
Buddhism in general and the experience of visiting their temple.
Please Address that I come from a Muslim background and
reflect that in your writing.
*** HERE’s the Assignment general rules. Make sure to address
everything here. ***
“”In your paper, give a brief summary of the experience,
including the date, time, location, and any other details, such as
the particular religion or sect, the type of service you attended,
and perhaps the title and name of the person presiding over the
service or acting as your guide. Then address certain things
such as your understanding of the relationship between the
religious leaders and the congregation. Focus on the way
people address the deity (if applicable) and what their perceived
relationship is with that deity. Focus on the use of space in the
house of worship. Is there more lateral (left-right) space, or
more longitudinal space? Is there much vertical gradation,
suggesting hierarchy and elevation of the deity above the
adherents? What do the worshipers hope to achieve through
their rituals? Is it reconciliation with the divine? Is it
appeasement? Favor? Any other observations that you have,

6. such as the relationship between men and women or children
and adults, during the service, are worthwhile noting as
well. Please limit yourself to 4-5 pages, double spaced, with 1”
margins. “”
Below is the INFO THAT YOU MUST USE and resources to
assist you writing.
Info:
The visit was on Saturday 25th.
Students and the professor met at the front gate and had a
person (tour guide) walk us through the whole temple. They
took donations $2 for each person prior to starting the tour.
Name and Adress:
Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple at 3456 Glenmark Drive in Hacienda
Heights, CA
About humanistic Buddhisim ( you must talk about this
throughout the whole paper)
http://www.hsilai.org/en/eAbt/eAbtHB.php
About the temple. ( you must talk about this too)
http://www.hsilai.org/en/eAbt/index.php
(Explain the experience as if you were there using the website
below. And MAKE SURE to address all of the 6 main stuff in
the temple.)
The temple exploration: Use the 1) gateway 2) Bodhisattava
hall 3) Avalokitesvara garden 4) Arhat garden 5) Courtyard 6)
Main Shrine
http://www.hsilai.org/en/eVt/eVtHLT.php