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For an organist in particular, it’s as good as it gets.
Dr. Kim Kasling, former Basilica organist, on the experience of playing at The Basilica
The 2010 Masqueray Ball gala featured a Fund-A-Need to raise money for the restoration of The Basilica’s 14 leather doors. Through the generosity of that evening’s participants, The Basilica Landmark raised the $45,000 needed to complete this important project.
Two of The Basilica’s leather doors (one restored, one unrestored) appeared on stage that night as part of the presentation. As the doors were illuminated by stage lights, these words were heard over the sound system:
Here we stand, the portals into our beloved Basilica. We’ve grown old, more than 85 years old. Our Spanish leather is cracked and faded, our bronze-headed nails, tarnished. We’ve stood strong since our designers, Slifer & Abrahamson, created us to replace the original simple oak doors.
Imagine what we’ve witnessed in 85 years.
Through us come the thousands of people each week who worship and rejoice through beautiful music, prayer and community, the young and old, rich and poor, healthy and sick.
Through us come the needy, the impassioned, and the suffering, seeking social justice, comfort in their sorrow, easing of their fears, and reconciliation with their God and their sisters and brothers.
Through us come those who feel alienated, alone and unworthy, in need of forgiveness or spiritual direction.
Through us come the thousands of joyful brides, like Diana Gulden, Lynn Bowe, Lara Bujold, Jackie Millea, Janet Soderberg, Michelle Pohlad and Ann Christensen; and the babies to be baptized, and children from all over the archdiocese for first Eucharist and confirmation.
Through us come the remains of those at the end of their journey, among them Rudy Perpich, Carl Pohlad, Officer Mark Bedard, Tiny Tim and Jon Hassler, and the fathers, mothers and children of many in this room tonight.
Through us come the exuberant young people enjoying the Basilica Block Party, those who will become the brides, parents and sustaining members of our parish.
Through us come concert-goers, to revel in the glory of hearing music in our magnificent space, the music of the Minnesota Orchestra, National Lutheran Choir, choirs of many nationalities—and Mitch Miller with “Sing Along With Mitch.”
Through us come citizens of our city, struggling to make sense of the unspeakable tragedies of September 11th, Virginia Tech and the 35W bridge collapse.
Through us come jubilant citizens celebrating heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr. or rejoicing on VE Day at the end of World War II.
Through us come Cardinals and Archbishops from Rome, New York, Philadelphia, Berlin, Los Angeles, Washington, St. Louis, Toronto—and St. Paul.
Through us come rabbis, imams, Buddhist monks and ministers from our downtown church neighbors to share our worship experience, and people of different faiths to learn about our traditions.
Through us come people who just need a quiet place to reflect.
Though us come those who wouldn’t go into a church if it wasn’t this church.
We’ve seen your faces, we’ve heard your voices, but we’ve been silent all these years. Tonight we speak for the first time. We ask for your generosity so that we may serve you, your children and your children’s children for a hundred years and more.