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Thresholds. The arch is a structural form that identifies a passageway. In religious buildings it marks the journey of the worshiper from the tedium of the everyday world into a more liminal state. A lintel is an overhead horizontal beam that has the same Latin root as limen, which is the threshold of a physiological or psychological experience. Whether it is a gateway to a Shinto shrine, or the archway leading to a mosque, an encounter with a threshold signals the first crossing over from the outside into the hallowed grounds of the worship space. This architectural crossing can prompt a subconscious, or even conscious, experience of transition or conversion in someone's personal life. On another level it can simply add to the excitement that accompanies the arrival at the sacred place. Plazas. The main purpose of a plaza is to foster the ingathering of large numbers of people. Such exterior gathering spaces are found near many older places of worship in areas unencumbered by vehicular traffic. The immense Zócalo in front of the metropolitan cathedral in Mexico City, and the plaza next to the new cathedral in Los Angeles, are in many ways similar to the outer precincts of the Jewish temple, and the area surrounding the Ka'bah in Mecca. These are places to mingle and meditate. In San Antonio, the parishioners of San Fernando Cathedral use the public Main Plaza in front of the cathedral to enact their Holy Week dramas. The new plaza in front of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco encompasses a labyrinth inviting pilgrims to take this particular walk in search of peace and harmony. Engaging with others can be a rewarding segment of public liturgy. The space in front of the main entry to a worship space can foster this experience. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Contents |
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