Photos: Cathédrale Saint-Michel de Carcassonne

If you've been frequenting the Badger Catholic lately, you've seen I've been posting photos from some pretty beautiful pilgrimage sites I was blessed to visit this past summer. Next on the list is the Cathédrale Saint-Michel de Carcassonne.

Carcassonne is a pretty interesting town in Southern France. It was once a stronghold for the Cathars--an interest sect of ascetic heretics from the middle ages. Like all heresies, it eventually died, and the cathedral is gorgeous.

Laura and I in front of the cathedral. This might be our only picture from France where nobody in the background is holding a baguette. 

Stunning beyond words

I can't remember who, but there's a bishop buried near the alter.

Pieta

More of the stained glass windows

Rose window

A history of the local diocese

St. Dominic preached here in 1213--in the midst of the Cathar heresy.

Statue of St. Dominic

I lit a devotional candle for my Godson Dominic

Photos of St. Joseph's Oratory Basilica in Montreal

Two weeks ago I posted photos of the shrine at Lourdes for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. That led me to post photos of some other basilicas I visited during the pilgrimage.

Continuing with that general theme, I thought I'd post some photos of St. Joseph's Oratory, which I had the opportunity to visit during a work trip to Montreal back in September. Not only is the Oratory a beautiful church, but it's also the home of St. André of Montreal, a lay brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross whose intercession is credited for thousands of miraculous healings.

Known as "Brother Andre", the saint was a doorman known for his great devotion to St. Joseph and was canonized by Pope Benedict in 2010.

The basilica's exterior from the parking lot

A timeline of Brother Andre's life and canonization

Just a few of the many crutches left by believers healed at the oratory

The interior of the church

The sanctuary

The Alter and Tabernacle

The Crucifix from the back of the Sanctuary

I am always deeply moved by the Crucified Christ hanging in agony

The chapel where St. Andre lived and prayed

The interior of the chapel

More crutches and engraved plaques commemorating miracles granted through the intercession of St. Joseph

The living quarters of Brother Andre

Another view of Brother Andre's living quarters

One More from Spain: Photos from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia

While we visited Barcelona primarily to visit the Segrada Familia Basilica (part one, part two), we also made time to visit the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia. This cathedral is also quite beautiful. It's also quite a bit more traditional than the Segrada Familia Basilica. Take a look!

Now this is a beautiful gothic building!

The altar, crucifix and stained glass windows of the cathedral

Numerous side altars display beautiful scenes from Sacred Scripture and the lives of the saints

Another side altar

The cloister is something of an island inside the cathedral, complete with a gorgeous view of palm trees and the building's exterior. (How many buildings offer a beautiful view of the exterior form inside?)

How many buildings offer a beautiful view of the exterior form inside?

More from the cloiser

Photos from the Segrada Familia Basilica #2

Earlier this week, I posted photos from a pilgrimage to the Segrada Familia Basilica this past summer. Here are shots of the church's interior.

The ceiling is truly remarkable to behold.

The Crucifix is definitely interesting. Our group was divided on its beauty. Overall, I like the portrayal of Christ hanging in agony.

The columns are designed to resemble palm trees extended toward Heaven.

Another shot of the ceiling

The unique stained glass windows create glorious natural lighting unlike anything I've ever seen.

It's quite difficult to describe how tall this church is!

Natural light, stained glass windows and a great deal of intricacy contribute to the unique feel.

A larger-than-life spiral staircase

I couldn't get enough of the windows.

 

Architect Antoni Guadi's cause is being pursued for beatification. His tomb is located in the basilica. 

Photos from the Segrada Familia Basilica #1

Last week, I posted pictures from Lourdes in commemoration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. During the same pilgrimage, I had the opportunity to visit another holy site I've long admired: The Segrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain.

It's one of the most interesting--and perhaps the most unique--churches in the world and has been under construction since 1882. (Architect Antoni Gaudi once remarked about the long construction period ""My client is not in a hurry.") At one time, it was expected construction could take more than 400 years. It's now hoped that the basilica will be completed by 2026--in time for the hundredth anniversary of Gaudi's death.

I've got a (metric) ton of photos, so we'll split this post into a two-post series: one of exterior shots and one of interior photos.

A ground-level view of the iconic gothic towers

The "Nativity Facade"

The "Nativity Facade" incorporated a level of intricate detail I found difficult to photograph.

Another shot of the Nativity Facade

Unlike most churches, the Tree of Life incorporates color into the exterior design.

The portrayal of Christ's crucifixion on the "Passion Facade"

Christ is arrested on the Passion Facade.

Judas betrays Christ. 

The Scourging at the Pillar

More from the Passion Facade

The Resurrected Christ triumphs above the Passion Facade

The basilica dominates the skyline from a nearby park