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November 25th, 2010
07:08 AM ET
Sacred Spaces: Meet the mason at the Washington National CathedralEditor's Note: CNN's Kim Uhl and Chris Ford filed this report from Washington. Sacred Spaces is an occasional series on the Belief Blog taking an inside look at worship spaces from unique perspectives. For Joe Alonso, the National Cathedral in Washington is a work of art. In part, his own art.
Alonso has been working as a stone mason at the cathedral since 1985. He was part of the team that finished the construction on one of the most recognizable buildings in an already iconic skyline.
He was given the honor of laying the final stone on the Cathedral before a crowd of 20,000 people (including then-President George H.W. Bush) on September 29, 1990, exactly 83 years after President Teddy Roosevelt presided over the laying of the foundation stone.  Stone mason Joe Alonso stands on the stone ceiling over the Washington National Cathedral "I literally have blood and sweat between these stones," Alonso said.
While the cathedral is a place of traditional prayer and reflection for most who behold its architecture, for Alonso, it is also sacred in a different way.
"I see it as the ultimate expression of the trade of a mason," he said.
The National Cathedral serves the United States and its citizens as a sacred space both daily and as host to state funerals, national prayer services and other important national religious services.
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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I am truly amazed st the people who are in disbelief of a Supreme Being. I am not the best person on this earth, but I know my God, who is the ONLY GOD akk powerful, have seen his works, and know he is here with me every second of my life. Thank YOU LORD JESUS,
I could not agree with MargaretS more!. I've known Joe for more than a decade now, have hardly met a finer individual anywhere, and am happy to have him as a friend (and wealth of knowledge on the Cathedral building).
To HotAirAce... if? It wasn't built with government funding and so you don't have to worry about where the National Mosque is, but I sure appreciate that you've found a hypothetical way to let us know you'd be objecting if you could. Washington National Cathedral (officially "The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul) was built entirely from the gifts and donations of people who consider such works to be important, from those who have chosen membership in the Cathedral's support organization(s), by those who have chosen to buy gifts and remembrances in the Cathedral's gift shop, and by NOTHING else.
@andybittner
You should try reading for comprehension...
I fully recognized no government money has been spent on this beautiful building crafted by superb artists, that is also dedicated to useless man-made tribal myths. I then went on to say that if government money had been spent, I would be wondering about the existence of other national edifices dedicated to other cults, the implication being that if the government supports one set of superstions, they should/must support them all. As above, I am pleased to see that this one place where the government has not wasted a single dollar (other than lost tax revenue, a loophole i hope closed soon).
It is a beautiful building. Too bad it is used for such a silly purpose. I went to their web site and was happy to learn that no government money has been spent on it. *If* government money had been spent, I would wondering where the National Mosque is...
*If* the sun doesn't rise this morning, I won't be going to work. Who cares about your *if*?
What an amazing building! Pictures just do not do justice to art like this. What a humble artist; so blessed!
I have had the honor of visiting the Cathedral twice in my life. It is a lovely, sacred place. Thank you, Mr. Alonso, for using your God-given talent to enhance it's beauty. How wonderful it must be to know your work will be there for generations of people to enjoy. And non-believers, go ahead and laugh at those of us who believe and trust in God. You have the right because He gave you a little thing called free will. But I would rather spend my life believing and following God and be wrong than to spend it denying Him and find out that I missed it all! Happy Thanksgiving. And Merry Christmas.
It has been my privilege to know Joe Alonso and call him friend for 25 years. He is the personification of what is right about the Cathedral. His joyful presence in the daily rounds at the Cathedral, his can-do spirit towards large and small is infectious. Koe and Maureen ARE the heart and soul of this sacred space! Thank God for them both.
MargaretS – Delightful. Praise for a praiseworthy man. We should all have such an overarching purpose for our lives! GOOD for him!
Notwithstanding the useless and pointless disparagement (driven by envy and jealousy, no doubt – backhanded compliments, actually) in certain comments, this mans work is fabulous and we need to appreciate art and accomplishment where we find it. To have a mission in life is a worthy thing and he is a fabulous artist. Wish him well and hope he continues to fulfill his creative and artistic side.
@MicheleG
You Said:-–" this mans work is fabulous and we need to appreciate art and accomplishment where we find it. To have a mission in life is a worthy thing and he is a fabulous artist. Wish him well and hope he continues to fulfill his creative and artistic side."
Well said...
Peace...
The money we spend on gods is obscene.
The Greeks and Romans built elaborate temples to their gods.
The Mayans also built pyramids to sacrifice and worship. As did the Aztecs and the Egyptians. etc. Hmmm...
People like to worship gods. That's 'cause they are willing to believe, without evidence. And they fear death.
All of the ancient temples are empty now. All those gods are silent. The belief that animated them has faded away.
All gods are false.
Happy Thanksgiving Believers! You give me joy and laughter all through the year.
Cheers!
I am sorry for you, that your god lives. He has not only blinded you, but millions of others. May GOD have mercy on the blinded souls. In CHRIST's NAME, AMEN.
From the topic:
"CNN's Kim Uhl and Chris Ford filed this report from Washington. Sacred Spaces is an occasional series on the Belief Blog taking an inside look at worship spaces from unique perspectives."
What it should say:
CNN's Kim Uhl and Chris Ford filed this report from Washington. Worthless Places of Worship is an occasional series on the Belief Blog taking an inside look at wasted spaces from unique perspectives.
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Happy Thanksgiving To One and All!!