Be Still Before the Ashes: Waiting with Him in the Cathedral

I arrived more than an hour early today. I wanted the gift of unhurried time — to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries and sit quietly with Him.

In the stillness of Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, silence itself feels sacred. The vaulted ceilings stretch heavenward like stone prayers. Light spills softly through stained glass, and I find myself reflecting on the centuries of craftsmanship that surround me.

In every age, God has inspired creativity and mastery. The great cathedrals stand as testimony that beauty can preach. That architecture can proclaim glory. That human hands, moved by divine inspiration, can give visible form to invisible truth.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” — Proverbs 2:6

There was a time when the heights of human achievement were most visibly expressed through sacred music, art, and architecture. Today, our accomplishments extend into other realms — science, medicine, automotive innovation, artificial intelligence. Extraordinary advances. Leaps and bounds.

And yet.

There is nothing more satisfying than sitting in an almost empty cathedral on Ash Wednesday morning. A few worshippers scattered quietly. A holy hush before Mass begins. The gentle expectancy of repentance.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Ash Wednesday brings us face to face with truth:

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” — Genesis 3:19

It calls us to reflect on His goodness, His life, His suffering, His death — and what it means personally, intimately, to each one of us.

I feel deeply blessed by His hand in my life. Whatever material challenges I carry, they cannot compare to the greatness of His mercy. The mercy that moved Him to come to us — as one of us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” — John 3:16

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. — John 1:14

A pure and sinless soul in Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself “becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” — Philippians 2:8

Through Him, we have access to the Father. — Ephesians 2:18

He is the one mediator between God and humanity. — 1 Timothy 2:5

He is the bridge.

And as I sit here, before ashes touch my forehead, I am simply overwhelmed.

Awesome.

Amen.

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Written in prayer at Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, Montreal, on Ash Wednesday.

God Bless🙏❤️