72. Church of the Holy Family

(mass times & church info last updated 03/20/2016)
Address: 315 E. 47th St.
Phone: 212.753.3401
Weekend Mass Times: 
Sat: 5:30pm (English)
Sun: 8am (English), 11am (English High Mass), 3pm (Korean/English), 8:30pm (English)
Weekday Mass Times: 
Mon-Fri: 8am, 12:10pm (both English)
Sat: 12:10pm (English)
Tue: 1:10pm (French Mass, September-June only)
Confession: 
Sat: 11:55am-12:05pm, 5pm-5:25pm
Sun: 10:30am-10:55am, 8:10pm-8:25pm
Mon-Fri: 11:55am-12:05pm
Church Constructed: 1965
Links:
Official Website
About the Organ
The Holy Family

What's with all these modern east side churches? It was unintentional visiting three in a row, but it's worked out nicely, I think, these three taken together - they make a nice sort of trilogy.

Holy Family is a beautiful modern church - and though you know I like classic architecture better - this one has a simple yet commanding elegance that hits you as you enter the doors. There is a colossal resurrection Jesus sculpture that towers above the altar, something reminiscent to me out of The Fountainhead (though I must admit to never reading it, I have stared at the cover often.)

This is the official Catholic parish connected with the United Nations. In fact, Monday, September 14th they held a Mass for the opening of the 64th Session of the U.N. General Assembly (I wish I had attended.) I have a feeling these yearly Masses are special celebrations and a real chance to come together and share prayers of peace for our world, its many nations, and leaders.

They will also be holding a Mass for Climate Justice on September 20. What a great idea to bring further prayer to such absolutely important concerns. All churches, religions and institutions of faith should be so open to this type of prayer for our planet.

Here, at Holy Family, there is a beautiful painted relief mural of the stations of the cross - the likes of which I've never seen in a church before.

This is one of the benefits of the modern-style church, when a parish has truly beautiful and amazing art interpreting those elements and stories we have visited time and again in our faith.

In addition, I learned this from The Spiritual Traveler, (pages 149-150):

"Pope Paul VI conducted an interreligious meeting at Holy Family on October 4, 1965, marking the first occasion that a reigning Roman pontiff visited a parish church in North America."

There is also a meditation garden to the right of the church, St. Mary's Garden. Though I did not enter, I did look at it through the fence and it was lovely.