Day 4: Gaming, Austria

On Wednesday of our first week here, we took an afternoon tour of the city of Gaming.  The Kartause is somewhat on the outer part of town, so you have about a five to ten minute walk into the main part of town.  It was a beautiful day!  It was warm, the snow was melting, we didn't need gloves or hats or heavy coats.  It was great!  This post will mostly be pictures, probably, because so much of Gaming is more or less something you feel with your heart.  The place is just beautifully quaint and homey.  The only sad part is that Europe, despite its gorgeous Catholic churches and great history of Catholicism, is not very religious as a country right now.  In fact, the local parish has only one Sunday Mass, and only two days a week where daily Mass is available; another nearby church only offers Mass "or a service of Word with communion on the first and third Sunday (every month)" at one time on those days.  I think it's a tragedy of the Faith becoming viewed as merely a part of the Church in Europe's history and not relevant here and now.  Praise the Lord that daily Mass is offered here for us in the Kartause!!

So, allow me to introduce you to...GAMING!

The parish church of Gaming: Sts. Philip and James

Gaming's cemetery.

The cemeteries in Europe are very beautiful and well-kept.  The flowers on the graves are always real and are replaced often, and the candles are always lit.  I think it's wonderful that people take such good care of these resting places for those who've gone before us.  I think, honestly, that the European and American cultures can really learn from each other.  This is one of those things, in my opinion, that America needs to learn more.  America needs more reverence for the past; Europe, on the other hand, needs to live out its religion as more than a cultural part of who they are and, instead, as a way of life that transforms the person.  

This is the altar from St. Philip and James Church, where we had Mass on the day of our tour.  The smaller painting above the one behind the tabernacle depicts the two Apostles for whom the Church is named.  Behind the tabernacle is a painting of the three Persons of the Trinity.  The statue of Jesus topping the tabernacle is also very beautiful.  I know I use that word for a lot of things, but it's one of the best ways to describe the artwork here.  It's amazing! 

This is the traditional ambo.  I love the metalwork of the Holy Spirit that is on the ceiling.  

This is the side chapel to Our Lady of Carmel.  

Interestingly, this is one of the only stained glass windows that I've seen here.  I think a lot of the traditional windows of the cathedrals and chapels here were smashed out in the second World War...but I'm just speculating.  

St. Sebastian.  I've seen a lot of him in Europe. :) As well as Sts. Peter, Paul, and Michael.

The organ of the church.  Mozart played on it when he was 6 or 7 years old!!

The side altar on the left.  The painting is St. Florian; the statue on the left is St. Roch/Rocco (patron against plague); the center statue is St. Anne; and on the left is the patron of cattle, whose name escapes me.

The side altar on the right of the church.  The statue on the right is St. Benedict, and on the left side is St. Bruno, the founder of the Carthusians.  These two are renowned in this part of Europe because they founded two prominent Eastern orders: the Benedictines and the Carthusians.  I can't remember who the painting is of, or the other statue. 

This one's for you, Emily.  I touched the keys. ;)

The road back to the Kartause.