Pardon me while I play catchup: In celebration of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, occurring in early October, services of worship are held internationally at local churches blessing animals ranging in size and species, from turtles to elephants. In the sleepy hamlet of Ivoryton, a series of canines were present as prayers were read, medals were placed over their necks and awarded treats for their new doggie souls.

There was something very heartwarming floating around in the air on that grassy knoll.

Oh, gilded church with your decorative inlaid ceiling, your formidable angelic statues and towering vaulted heights, one could quickly surmise why the meek and meager of a less sophisticated time heeded the power of God.

The golden sky of St. Peter’s Basilica is awe-inspiring to say the least.

Churchgoers pray before gilded shrines at Igreja da Trindade in Porto. Having gone to Catholic school for fourteen years and being generally detached from organized religion, it’s amazing to see what a stronghold one’s faith can have on a life. For these people, this is their mediation. Devoted, with heavy heads bowed slightly, not a single stir disrupted their stance.