Tues: Opting out of Chartres and dinner with Mary

Monday evening, during "cocktail hour" with Michael, we spoke about going the following day to visit the Cathedral at Chartres.  I had visited Chartres twice and Dad had spent time there when he had vsited Michael a few years ago.  For both of us, the days had been cloudy and so we thought we hadn't had the advantage of a good viewing of the famouse stained glass windows.  Chartres is at quite a distance from Solemes so it would be a full days outing.   Speaking of this Monday evening, Dad suggested we leave "first thing" but I was reluctant to miss morning Mass... and as long as we were back for Vespers...

May 26

Another grey and rainy day.  But this time it was raining for real.  We didn't meet with Michael after Mass but instead grabbed our gear and our car and began our drive to Chartres.  It continued to rain.  

Already on the A11 and about 20 minutes into the drive, we opted out.  It was a long drive.  It was raining. Dad had memories of finding it difficult to park near the Cathedral.  I think we really just weren't "into" wanting to spend a whole day away from Solesmes.  We retraced our steps and headed "home".

And this is what we missed:

Chartres Cathedral (full name Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres) is located in the medieval town of Chartres, about 50 miles from Paris.

Not only is Chartres Cathedral one of the greatest achievements in the history of architecture, it is almost perfectly preserved in its original design and details. Chartres' extensive cycle of portal sculpture remains fully intact and its glowing stained-glass windows are all originals. Chartres is thus the only cathedral that conveys an almost perfect image of how it looked when it was built.

In addition to its architectural splendor, Chartres Cathedral has been a major pilgrimage destination since the early Middle Ages. Its venerable history, exquisitely preserved architecture, and centuries of fervent devotion make for an atmosphere of awe and holiness that impresses even the most nonreligious of visitors.

It was ok, though.  Because, as I said, we really just wanted to stay in Solesmes.   And the day turned sunny and warm as pulled into the parking area and walked back to our little house.

We spent the afternoon reading.  But this day I took my book out to the courtyard, on the stone area with table and chairs and enjoyed the sun and warmth - finally!   Lisette: here I began "The Six Wives of Henry VIII". 

Reading meant taking breaks.  Coffee breaks.  Bread and butter breaks. Bread and cold cuts breaks.  Walking breaks.

During the afternoon I  "broke" to take a walk here and there,  through different areas of Solesmes.  Dad was luckier.  Michael had given him the combination of the gate through which one enters the cloistered areas of the Monastery.   Both Dad and Brent had stayed in Solesmes as "guests" of the monks and so were able to roam around the gardens that, as the flyer stated, "are condusive to relaxation and prayer".  Both had found the reading bench and both used it often.  So this is where Dad would wander from our house when he needed that break.  

Vespers at 5.   And all day I had had it in my head that I wanted to ask Michael for a Mass intention the following day for our Anniversary.  

6:00  We met for cocktails in the courtyard and Michael brought linens for the "big house" so that we could make up the beds for Aloise and Mercedes who would be arrriving the following evening.   Dad had lingered outside the church after Vespers and by the time he joined us, he announced that we had dinner plans with Mary, who asked that we join her for cocktails at her house and then dinner at the Grand Hotel.

Mary.  She is an elderly ( but very sprite) Englishwoman who, in her own words, "Sold my house and my gardens" to move to Solesmes.  She's been in Solesmes for 3 years and her house is right up against the Monastery.  In fact, the house is owned by the monks.  She rents it; they keep asking her to buy it.  :)

Mary's a kick.  She is on good and familiar terms with all the monks and seems to know everything that goes on with them, with the Monastery and with most in Solesems.   One of her favorite pastimes is music and already she has managed to gather older residents of Solesmes to join her in "little concertos" at her house, each playing their favorite instruments.  (During dinner she tried very hard to have Dad commit to a visit and  "trying out the fiddle", to which he strenuously objected, he never, ever wanting to play when he is rusty and out of practice).    Clare and Brent were also treated to dinner at the Grand Hotel by Mary.  I don't think she ever misses an opportunity to "visit" with family and friends of the monks.

In any event, an offer for drinks and dinner had been made so off we went.  It was a pleasant evening.  But it all happened so quickly that I had forgotten to ask Michael about the Mass intention.  I went to bed wondering if there might not be a way for Dad to get a message to Michael before Mass the next morning.

Grand Hotel.  It's located down the street from us, just before you cross over to the Pastry shop.