The church and the Church – Our Permanent Refuges

The church as a physical place of worship and the Church as an institution have been providing refuge for Catholics for two millennia. They were always there for our ancestors, they are here for us today and will be here for our descendants. They are always available for us whenever necessary and ensure we are never alone or without support.

When we go into an empty church there may be nobody else around but we know we are not isolated. We are surrounded by familiar objects – the altar, the crucifix, the stations of the cross, the images, the confessional box – that bring comfort and reassurance.

When we go to confession we come face to face with an individual, a priest who is not only Christ´s representative on earth but also a link to St. Peter on whom Jesus founded his Church. As Catholics we are part of this great institution and can rely on it to speak up for us. The Vatican may be one of the world´s smallest states but it has enormous moral power and the Pope has a global recognition and status few political leaders have. For our part we should support it and refute the constant negative media coverage of the Vatican.

When we go to the church for mass we know we will be surrounded by fellows believers. We are no longer alone but part of a local congregation that in turn is part of a global congregation that encompasses around 1.2 billion souls.

Every time we go into a church, for whatever reason, we should ensure that we leave feeling better than when we entered. I believe we should use the physical church as a place of refuge and the institutional Church as a fortress of defense for us and our faith.  If you cannot go to the church then make a special place in your home. If you don´t have much room then choose a corner, a shelf or small table. Put a crucifix or statuette there and leave a rosary and candle next to it with some pictures of saints or prayers on the wall. Spend some time there every day in contemplation or prayer. Keep a Bible by your bedside. Not a heavy intimidating tome that needs a crane to lift but a smaller edition. Don´t feel obliged to read it every day but just leave it there and pick it up when you feel like it. Read and reread your favorite passages and psalms. Insert bookmarks and write your thoughts on the back of them. This small space won´t replace your parish church but will form your personal halfway point between the church and the Church.

As for the Church as an institution pay attention to it at parish, national and international level. Keep up to date with what is happening in your diocese. Follow the Vatican news sites as well as the Pope´s Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Let´s keep in touch with the church and the Church.

© John Brander Fitzpatrick 2026