Prayer Group
I recently read this story in a collection of inspirational readings by Max Lucado, taken from his book, “In the Eye of the Storm.” I found it uplifting and thought I would share it with you. In Santa Fe in New Mexico there is a small but beautifully constructed building called the Loretto Chapel. It took five years to build and was completed in 1878, modelled on the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. It was in the Gothic style, simple yet splendid against a background of desert hills. The sanctuary contained an altar, a rose window and a choir loft. However, there was a problem. The Mexican carpenters had finished the interior to their highest standards – flooring, carved doors and pews. The choir loft was also ready but could only be accessed by a ladder as the chapel was too small for a conventional stairway. The best builders and designers in the area were consulted but they all pronounced it impossible. There just wasn’t enough room. The Sisters of Loretto, for whom it had been built, did not want their dream place of worship to be spoiled so they did the only thing they could – they took it to God in prayer. They prayed for nine whole days, which is called a novena. On the final day a Mexican carpenter whom they had not seen before arrived and told them he had heard about their problem and had come to offer his help. He was given permission to go to work which he did with basic tools, great patience and skill. After eight months the prayers of the Sisters were answered. The stairway was a masterpiece of carpentry – two three-hundred and sixty-degree spirals of thirty-three steps led from the floor to the loft, held together with wooden pegs and no central support. It was made of a variety of hard fir, not found in New Mexico. It was perfect! 18