The Feast of St Benedict, 21 March 2004 was indeed a triumph of the Sacred Heart for on that day our Bishop Monsenor Ricardo Tobon Restrepo celebrated the Consecration of our monastic church in the presence of many friends of the community. Each received a card with the following text of explanation:

The Motives for the Architecture of the Monastic Church of the Benedictine Monastery of the Divine Paraclete in the Diocese of Sonson Rionegro, Guatape, Colombia.

Introduction: In common with all Christians, we Benedictine Nuns live within a tradition of a divine Cult. As all Christians do, so do we also as Benedictine Nuns ­ we express this tradition of a divine cult in the way we build our churches. In the ceremony of Consecration this church is dedicated exclusively to divine worship within the Christian and Benedictine tradition. For this reason the motives for the architecture of this new benedictine church are diverse.

The First Motive: This church has been built as a homage to our holy Father Benedict, here in Colombia. It is a monasterial church in the style of a small Basilica. St Benedict lived in the fifth century, the century in which Christians built this type of Basilica. Benedictines, following the steps of St Benedict, in medieval times and even until today have continued to build in this same style. The word “Basilica” is Greek and signifies the place in which the King ­ “Basileus” ­ had his throne in a great hall with pillars or columns. Christians in the first centuries adopted this basilical style for their churches in which Christ “our true King” is enthroned in the liturgical celebrations. (Cf.Prol RB)

The Second Motive: Vatican Council II promoted a return to the authentic sources of christian spirituality. In the spirituality of our benedictine life these sources or fountains flow from the liturgical life nourished by the WORD and SACRAMENTS. In their turn these find expression in the importance given to and in the architectural concepts of the churches of benedictine monasteries, as in this present church in particular. Here the very construction seeks to express clearly the most ancient principles of the Christian liturgy. This is not a matter of fashion. It is a question of principle.

The following is an explanation of some aspects of our church with these motives in mind:

a) The Atrium:- This covered portico is a space where we can pass some moments of silence as we prepare to enter into the temple, - the holy place of prayer and praise of the Lord, as in the Temple of Jerusalem. “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, God of hosts! My soul is longing and yearning for the courts of the Lord!” (Ps 83:2-3)

b) The Door:- The great main door without lock or handle on the outside and painted green is the symbol of Christian hope. Christ says ­ “I am the DOOR.”

(Jn 10:7)

c) The pillar of Holy Water:- This is found immediately after entering the main door, standing alone. It is the symbol of Baptism and of the purification of soul which we all need before entering into the holy place of prayer and the Eucharistic Sacrifice.

d) The Grille and the Choir:- According to the tradition of the Church these symbolise the enclosure of cloistered Benedictines providing them a special place in the Church to dedicate themselves completely to prayer, adoration and praise of our God who is Three and One.

e) The Ambon:- This is found ­ looking from the altar ­ on the left, near to the grille. The Ambon is the place where the WORD of GOD is proclaimed and celebrated, according to the ancient traditions. The term “WORD ­ PALABRA” is feminine, and the left side is also considered to be the feminine side. In the liturgical life of Benedictine nuns the WORD of God is proclaimed seven times daily and once more during Holy Mass each day.

f) The ALTAR:- The Altar is the most sacred element in the whole Church. It represents Christ, and thus represents the Head in the Body which the entire church construction expresses.

The entire interior space of the church is ordained towards the ALTAR as to its principal focal point. For this reason ancient tradition situates the altar at the EAST, or the oriental extremity of the building. To orientate the altar in a church invites us, Benedictine nuns to keep constant vigil in prayer and adoration awaiting the holy encounter with Christ our SUN who “comes to visit us from on high” (Lk 1:78)

g) The Baldachino:- This large square canopy supported by four columns covers the Altar and designates and surrounds the most sacred space in the manner of a throne ­ almost enfolding the Altar. It draws attention to and expresses the mysterious presence of the holy God. The Baldachino or “Ciborium” in ancient Christian tradition is both a canopied shrine and a receptacle for the Holy Eucharist shaped like a shrine. For this reason it is here, within this ciborium, over the Altar that the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in this Church of the Divine Paraclete.

h) Tabernacles for the Holy Eucharist and Holy Oils:- These are placed close to the Altar on either side of the Sanctuary to express the primarily eucharistic and sacramental nature of the Christian, monastic liturgy.

i) The Celebrant’s Chair:- This is found at the back of the Sanctuary, is fixed and positioned to facilitate the presidency of Christ’s Minister at liturgical celebrations, especially the Eucharistic Sacrifice.

This is a brief explanation of the meaning of the architecture of our new monastic church of the Divine Paraclete in Colombia. “My House is a House of Prayer for all nations, says the Lord.” Please pray that this may ever be true of this new church and monastery. And may we all become ever more profoundly true Temples of the Holy Spirit wherein the Father is worshipped in spirit and in truth. Amen ­ Alleluia!