October 23, 2024
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The Sisters of Loretto had a problem. The year was 1878, and the construction of the Chapel of the Loretto Academy, a Catholic school for girls in Santa Fe, was almost complete. The problem was that there was no access to the choir loft which towered twenty-two feet above the Chapel floor. To complicate matters, the lead architect who designed the Chapel had just died.
The remaining architects and builders discussed possible solutions. Considering the small size of the Chapel and the height of the loft, a traditional staircase was ruled out. It would take up too much of the Chapel floor and would significantly reduce its seating capacity. The idea of using a ladder to reach the loft was considered. However, climbing a ladder nearly as tall as a three-story building seemed impractical, especially in such a sacred space.
Desperate, the Sisters turned to prayer. They prayed to Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Jesus’ earthly father. In addition to being the patron saint of the universal church, unborn children, fathers, workers and travelers, Saint Joseph also happens to be the patron saint of carpenters. The sisters trusted that God could provide a solution where none seemed possible.
The story goes that the Sisters of Loretto prayed the same prayer seeking divine help for nine days and on the ninth day a stranger appeared. He was accompanied by a donkey and carried a hammer and a carpenter’s square. He offered a solution but insisted that no one be present while he worked.
When he finished, the man disappeared without asking for payment.
The staircase he left behind is a marvel of design and workmanship. Winding in a spiral, it makes two complete 360-degree turns as it rises from the Chapel floor to the choir loft. It has no center pole for structural support. The entire staircase structure rests on the bottom step. It was originally constructed without handrails so there was nothing to hold on to, making it difficult to climb and somewhat dangerous. Handrails were added in 1887. The staircase is built using only wooden pegs, without nails, screws, hardware or glue. The wood used is believed to be a type of spruce not native to New Mexico and it did not come from any local lumber source.
A number of questions surround the construction of what is called “The Magnificent Staircase.” Who was this gifted carpenter? How did he have knowledge of design that is advanced even for our present day let alone the 19th century? Where did the rare wood used in the construction come from? How did the wood get inside the church?
Was this mystery a miracle? Chuck Colson says, “Miracles occur when God acts in human history, crossing the boundary from eternity into time, bringing about what can’t be caused in any other way.” Could it be that the Lord allowed this problem to arise in order to demonstrate His glory?
What if the Lord allowed the lead architect to overlook designing access to the choir loft? What if the Lord allowed the remaining architects and builders to exhaust their human solutions? What if the Lord allowed the Sisters of Loretto to be compelled to turn to Him in faith? What if, in response to the Sisters’ prayers, the Lord sent a stranger who no one had ever seen before and was never seen again, to, while working alone, build a stairway of near divine design and gifted workmanship out of uncommon materials and leave behind what is magnificent, certainly a mystery, and possibly a miracle?
The Loretto Chapel staircase challenges our understanding of what is possible and invites us to believe in a God Who works through both ordinary and extraordinary means in response to the prayers of His children, for their good and His glory.
Although questions surrounding the staircase will probably never be answered, the evidence of the Loretto Chapel staircase is that it exists. It stands today as both a functional structure and a symbol of faith. The Sisters of Loretto prayed to the Lord, and their prayers were answered. As G. K. Chesterton once said, “The most astonishing thing about miracles is that they happen.”
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, the Lord works in ways that remind us of His presence, sometimes through the mysteries and miracles He leaves behind!
QUESTION
Have you ever faced a problem that seemed impossible to solve? What did you do? How did that turn out?
PRAYER
Lord, we come before You in awe of Your power and love, knowing that You hear our prayers and provide for us in ways beyond our understanding. In our moments of need, help us to turn to You with faith, believing that You can make a way when there seems to be no way. Strengthen our hearts to recognize Your miracles, both great and small, and to give You glory for Your work in our lives. May we always seek You, trusting that You are faithful, and that You are always with us.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NRSV)
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
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