Spiritual Insights from the Waldsassen Abbey Basilica

Reflections from Thursday October 10, 2024 in Waldsassen Abbey Basilica, Waldsassen, Germany

It was a misty morning as I sat in the Abbey’s huge Basilica in Waldsassen, Germany. The Basilica from the baroque period is incredibly ornate – the most lavish I’d seen yet. They have the literal skeletons of saints displayed in glass cases in lavish alcoves surrounded by statues of Jesus and angels.

The thought that impressed me was how those who crafted this visual explosion of religious art went to such great lengths to feel close to God and to bring Deity into the physical world to be remembered and honored.

Cloud of Witnesses

There were so many statues of angels, apostles and saints that the “cloud of witnesses” spoken of by Paul came to mind (Hebrews 12:1). Photos of children were placed by one saint’s statue – I assume St. Nicholas as the patron saint of children.

The opulence of these sanctuaries can seem foreign to Protestants or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In fact, the grandeur of this Basilica would not be found in the areas of Germany and Switzerland where people followed Martin Luther or Huldrych Zwingly and left Catholicism behind. In fact, the Swiss Reformists went to great lengths to remove reference to saints and the art and sculptures from the sanctuaries.

Looking for Common Ground

It’s interesting how common themes run through religions and manifest differently. As I reflected on the art, I felt somewhat of a kinship to those who worship in the Basilica. I thought of my own faith and the artistic craftsmanship of our temples. In the Catholic Cathedrals, Peter is always shown holding keys – Priesthood keys. My faith also places an emphasis on Priesthood authority or Priesthood keys.

Unlike my faith, I could see the Hellenistic element with the myriad of saints that one might communicate with to advocate for one’s cause. But then I thought of how I sometimes speak to my mother in my mind, knowing that if she has some power in her heavenly realm, she may have some influence with God on my behalf. While this isn’t a practice of my faith, it is something I find myself doing at times. So, as different as my faith is from Catholicism, I could at least relate to some of what I saw.

Celestial room in the Rome, Italy temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

I also appreciated the stillness in the Basilica. It’s not the same as a Celestial room in a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is much more visual commotion going on in the Basilica to distract the thoughts. But I did appreciate the beauty, the art, the sculptures of angels, and the obvious devotion these people must feel to God.

I felt very grateful sitting there in the silence of a long-gone era where people tried so hard to reach God – perhaps extending beyond the mark, but still, they were trying. Especially, the ordinary people who came there to worship were trying.

God’s Love Is Where We Overlap

I thought of this quote from Karl D. Hirst:

“Our Saviour’s love is the ‘highest, noblest, strongest kind of love,’ and He provides until we are ‘filled.’ Divine love never runs dry, and we are each a cherished favourite. God’s love is where, as circles on a Venn diagram, we all overlap. Whichever parts of us seem different, His love is where we find togetherness.”
“God’s Favourite” Karl D. Hirst, October 2024

Encouragement from the Father

As I prayed, reflected, and journaled, I felt God sending me the following:

“As you sit in this place where centuries of individuals have sat, prayed, cried and worshipped, you sit amidst My favorites, as one of My favorites. Jesus’ love is that intersection point where you all come together and have access to Me through the blood and sacrifice of My Only Begotten.

You are learning to simplify to find Me. The monks and nuns pursue a similar quest. There is something in the lavish extravagance that does convey a positive message to the soul. To the farmers, villagers, teachers, basket weavers, glass blowers, and gardeners it says, ‘I, God, have all the riches of the universe to lavish upon you – worlds without end.’ But it is in the quiet solitude of the heart that peace, love, and joy are found. They are found in a personal connection to the Savior Jesus Christ. Without that connection, all the gold, finery, statues, intricate carvings and the dry bones of saints can never bring you home to your eternal connection with Me.

Christ is always at the center of the heart of it all. The finery surrounding Him is a message to know that I have all abundance to give you. Yet, remember to avoid pride and dependence on the finery because it is nothing without Him at the center of your soul. The cloud of witnesses – saints, ancestors, disciples – remind you that devotion is where you access the power of God to work miracles. But do not let the images of saints. the shrine, the gold, or meticulous artistic creations distract you or make it difficult for you to find Him. They must not become your focus. Only Jesus Christ can bring you home. He is at the heart of it all.”

Messages from the Grandeur

In summary, the grandeur of the baroque Basilica seemed to convey three important messages to me:

Spiritual support – You have spiritual support around you – Jesus Christ, angels, disciples, and faithful ancestors are your cloud of witnesses and the angelic army that is with you.
Heavenly Opulence – The riches of eternity are in the Father’s hands. He makes His abundance available to those who follow His Son, and there is no shortage of resources where God is concerned.
Beware of the World’s Noise – Don’t let the noise and opulence of the world distract you from your focus on Jesus Christ. Let Him be the center of your worship and devotion.

My time in the Basilica helped me see how Jesus truly is the One and Only Being who can unite us all. Even as religions have split, fractured, and fought, He is our doorway back to God, and in the process back to each other.