Worshipers Participate in Eucharistic Journey
Diocesan Press Service. February 25, 1969 [74-20]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Barefooted and blindfolded, nearly 100 persons were led, one at a time, through a series of experiences designed to parallel the action of the Communion service.
The 40-minute eucharistic journey, conceived by off-Broadway playwright, Tom LaBar, took place on a recent Sunday at St. Clement's Episcopal Church, just west of New York's theater district.
The worshiper began his journey in a small room where he was introduced to a Tallulah Bankhead-type woman and asked to read the Collect for Purity. She discussed the Collect with him and, in preparation for the remainder of the service, asked him to leave behind whatever he cared to. Shoes, coats, pocket books, wallets and even jewelry were removed and a blindfold put in place for the first time.
The worshiper was then led into an adjoining room where he met the neighbors. These neighbors asked him to trust them and to show that trust by falling backwards. As he fell, he was caught, lifted up and tossed in the air.
After joining the neighbors in a circle dance, he was led, still blindfolded, up a long staircase, exchanging the words of the Kyrie with his guide. When he came to the top of the stairs, his guide seated him, and removed the blindfold. The worshiper then watched colored lights play on the white sheets which surrounded him and listened to an unseen voice read the Gospel.
He was led to a desk and asked to complete a test on the Nicene Creed. With the blindfold again in place, the individual was taken to a group who looked over his test and engaged him in a dialogue on his faith.
After this exchange, he was led to the offering. His blindfold was removed. A woman, sitting behind a table on which there was a candle illuminating the dimly lit space, asked him to write the one thing he valued most on a piece of paper. The woman took this paper, folded it and put it in the candle. While the worshiper watched, the paper burned.
He was then taken down a series of stairs. As a door slammed shut above him, the worshiper was told to follow the lights in front of him, and his blind fold was removed. He walked through the dark, damp cellar, stopping before a series of mirrors. As he stood in dirt before the mirrors, his face was illuminated from below by his guide. During this time, the words of the General Confession were repeated.
Again blindfolded, the individual was led to a door. At a knock, the door was opened and, the blindfold removed, he found himself in a brightly lit bathroom. The smiling face in front of him pronounced the absolution and flushed his sins away.
The worshiper was then taken up a long series of steps. As he climbed, the words of the Consecration were repeated to him. When he reached the top, his hands were firmly grasped and he was asked to join in the recitation of the Lord's Prayer.
Near the end of his trip, he crawled over crumbs while a voice read the Prayer of Humble Access.
As the blindfold was removed for the final time, the worshiper realized he was in the sacristy. He was greeted by the Rev. Eugene Monick, vicar, who invited him to receive Communion.
Having received, the person opened the sacristy door and met a girl who gave him a flower, a man who gave him a button with a smile on it, and a white haired gentleman who gave him the Kiss of Peace.
During the discussion worshipers engaged in afterwards, over coffee, reactions ranged from "beautiful" to "just a bit weird." One young woman stated she had refused to receive Communion as it was a corporate, not an individual act. A few others echoed her feelings, but had felt the experience was meaningful despite that fact. Others answered the young woman by saying that they had never felt more cared for, more part of a community.