Sainte Chapelle: Faith Carved in Stone
Masterpiece of Temperance
Built by Saint Louis IX of France, this chapel reflects an extraordinary innocence of soul. We could call this chapel the Chapel of Innocence. Because a soul must be profoundly innocent to conceive this.
Why? Because this chapel causes enthusiasm, no doubt; an enthusiasm without agitation, without overpowering sensations, without producing anything intemperate. The chapel is a masterpiece of temperance. Everything about it is beautiful, magnificent. The enthusiasm the chapel instills is recollected and prayerful.
We can say that each stained glass window is a prayer, each stone is a prayer, each gothic arch is a prayer, surrounding the center of prayer: the altar, where the Holy Sacrifice of Calvary is renewed. Above the altar is a reliquary to display the crown of thorns of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Walking barefoot, asking pardon for his own sins, Saint Louis carried the relics with great devotion from the border of France to Paris. He displayed the contrition of the innocent. As king, he represented his people and asked God to also pardon their sins.
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