Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (background). Augustinian Monastery and Church of the Nativity (foreground).
Churches in Legoland
The town of Legoland has two large churches: The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and the Church of the Nativity.
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
Looking down the narrow cobbled road and past the Town Square, we see the front of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. A Cathedral is the main church of a Bishop. The Bishop oversees many other churches in a large geographical area called a diocese. A diocese may have many churches, but only one cathedral.
Cathedra
During Mass, the Bishop sits near the altar in a special chair called a cathedra. That’s about the only place to sit in the entire church. Most people bring pillows to sit on. Since the Cathedral has no heating during wintertime, it is very cold during Mass.
Tympanums
In the Tympanums, or recessed spaces above the Cathedral doors there is a story.
“Problem - Death”
Above the left doorway are the bones of a dead man. This scene shows that all of us will die someday and that death seems like it will be the end of our existence.
“Solution - Jesus”
Above the central doorway is Jesus on the cross, with his poor Mother Mary at his feet. At the foot of the cross is the skull of Adam. This scene shows the solution to the problem.
“Result - Life”
Above the right doorway is an empty tomb. This scene shows that by rising from the dead, Jesus defeated death forever.
Vision of St. Michael
Here is a sculpture of Joan of Arc and Saint Michael the Archangel. God wanted her to free France from the English. It might seem odd that a French saint-to-be is part of a German Cathedral. It so happens that the French took over this area during construction of the church. Although they were later driven out, the townspeople like Joan of Arc anyway because all the saints are our brothers and sisters.
Joan of Arc
This is another statue of Joan on her horse. She led the French to victory.
Stained Glass
Here is a window of Joan of Arc. Stained glass windows are made of different colors of glass so as to “paint” a picture. The different colors of glass are made by a craftsman called a Glassblower. Another craftsman called a Glazier cuts them into the right shapes.
Brothers and Sisters
Higher up on the Lego Cathedral is another row of Saints. The saints are our brothers and sisters. The veil of death is very thin.
Body and Blood
Near the top of the Cathedral is a sculpture of a Host and Cup. During Mass, bread and wine are transformed into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. We don’t understand how that happens — it’s a mystery — but we know what the Bible says and what the first Christians believed. I suppose if God can become Man, there’s no reason that bread and wine can’t become Jesus.
Bell Towers
This Cathedral has two Bell Towers. Here’s one of them. Bells are rung to help people remember to pray during different times of the day. At noon, bells are rung to call people to pray the “Angelus”. Bells also help people keep time.
Artwork
Because most people can’t read, churches are decorated with carved stonework, wall paintings and stained glass windows that illustrate Bible stories and lives of the saints. This artwork helps parents explain the message of God to their children.
Small Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is small compared to others. On the left is a picture of the cathedral in Strassburg, France. It’s as tall as a 52-story building. The cathedral on the right is in Cologne, Germany.
Church of the Nativity
From up on top of the Lego Cathedral you get a good view of the Monastery Church of the Nativity. This church, built as part of the monastery, is where monks say their prayers and attend Mass. You’ll notice that it also has a tall bell tower.
Offices
Monks go to the monastery church eight times a day to sing, chant, and recite their prayers, or office. The first office, “Matins,” is at 2 o’clock in the morning. During the day, there are several more offices. In the evening is “Vespers”, and right before they go to bed is “Compline”.
Nativity Stained Glass
This church has a large and beautiful stained glass window of the Nativity, showing Mary, Jesus, Joseph and the Star in the sky.
Looking Inside
If we take off the roof, we can look inside.
Sanctuary
The first thing you’ll notice in the church is the altar. The area around the altar is called the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is the most sacred part of the church.
Because the church believes in the worth and rights of each person, it extends what is called the “Right of Sanctuary” to anyone accused of a crime. If a man is accused of a crime, a mob may try to hunt him down. But if he can escape into the church, the mob can’t touch him. If he’s guilty, he can confess his sins to a priest and then remain in safety until he makes up for the crime or is tried by a fair court.
Chained Bible
Near the altar is the Lectern. This is where the Bible is read from. You’ll notice that the Bible is chained to the Lectern. Since the printing press has not been invented yet, scribes have to copy books by hand. Bibles are written on vellum, which is a fine parchment made from sheep skin. It takes three years of labor and 1000 sheep to make one Bible. No wonder they’re locked up.
Labyrinth
Looking down on the floor of the church you can see a maze called a Labyrinth. Many people long to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the Holy Land. But since most can’t, people walk through the labyrinth on their knees to symbolize a pilgrimage.
Baptismal & Crypt
Looking down from the dome, we see the Baptismal font. A boy entered the Old Jewish Covenant when he was eight days old. After Christ came and established the New Covenant, there was argument among the first Christians as to whether you needed to wait that long. It was decided that a baby could be baptized right away and enter the New Covenant.
Next to the Baptismal font is a staircase going down to the Crypt.
Confessional
Along the wall we see a Confessional. This is where Christians confess their sins to a priest, whom Christ gave power to forgive sins.
Incorrupt Saint
This is the body of an Incorruptible Saint. Sometimes, when a saint is dug up, it’s found that their body has not rotted. Amazing but true.
St. Nicholas
Here is a sculpture dedicated to Saint Nicholas. He was a real bishop of the fourth century. He didn’t really dress like this, but since he was a very generous man, people like to think of him this way.
Church Cemetery
Here is the church cemetery. Before someone was buried, a man called a Toebiter bites your toes just to make sure that you’re really dead. Next, the Gravedigger would dig you a hole.
Notice the “Skull and Crossbones” over the entryway. This is a reminder to you that you are going to die someday. Life is not a joke. You’ll either be a saint in heaven — by the Grace of God — or not. People that don’t love God in this life are surely not going to want to be with Him in the next.
Augustinian Monastery
Built right in front of the church is a monastery, or place where monks live. In this monastery the monks follow the rule of St. Augustine. Following a rule, or certain way of life, helps develop discipline and obedience. Just like children need to be obedient to their parents so that they can learn to be obedient to God, monks also need to learn to be obedient.
Quadrangle
As you pass through the main gate of the monastery you enter the Quadrangle. This is a courtyard decorated with flowers and other plants with a fountain in the middle. The covered walkway on the side is called a Cloister. You’ll often see monks slowly walking there as they silently pray and meditate.
Grotto
Here is a grotto to our Mother Mary.
Looking Inside the Monastery
The Lego Monastery swings open for a look inside.
Monastery Dormitory
Monks sleep in the Dormitory. Each Monk has his own Cell. This is where the monk can pray in solitude. His cell is small and furnished very sparsely to remind him to give up “things” and to center his whole life upon God. This monk has a “wind hole” in his cell; a wind hole is a window without any glass.
Near the Dormitory, there is also a Hostel. A Hostel is a place where pilgrims can come and stay the night.
Refectory
Monks eat in the Refectory. While they eat in silence, a Duty Monk reads Scripture to them from the Lectern. The Duty Monk sacrifices his meal for this honor.
Scriptorium
The Scriptorium is a room where Bibles and other books are copied by a monk called a Copyist. The monks always work in silence, so try to be quiet. The monk in charge of the Scriptorium is called the Precentor. He makes sure the copyists have all the supplies that they need.
Classroom
The monastery also has a school where boys are taught by the monks to read and write and sing hymns. Most of the boys here want to be priests. Over at the Nunnery is a school for girls. The girls are taught by nuns.
Most people never learn to read and write. In fact, only one out of three people can even write their name.
Infirmary
On the first floor of the monastery is the Infirmary. This is where a monk called an Infirmarian takes care of the sick. Monasteries were some of the very first hospitals.
Almonry
Next door is the Almonry. This is where alms in the form of food are given to the poor by monks. Here’s a good friar now bringing some hot pottage.
Chapter House
The Abbot is the head of a monastery. He’s elected by the monks to serve for life.
Here in the Chapter House, the monks meet together to listen to the Abbot. This is where they are assigned to their tasks for the day. This is also where they’re corrected for their faults.
Beggars
Outside the monastery I see a poor beggar with no hands. Why not be charitable and see if you have something in your pockets? Remember, you’ll be giving it to Christ Himself.
Thanks for Visiting
Ladies and gentlemen, this completes our tour. I had fun and I hope you did too! Maybe you even learned something. Take care and God bless! There are refreshments in your fridge. Please feel free to help yourself.