Thoughts from touring Artist Rosemary Williams.

Heres what I’d like to say:

**A Plea for Sacred Silence**

Standing in the Basilica of Mary Magdalene and the Notre Dame Cathedral, I am struck by a profound sadness—witnessing how little reverence many show for the sacred silence and devotion these spaces demand.

As artists, we understand that art is not merely an object to behold, but a vessel for transcendence—an invitation to step beyond ourselves and into the sublime.

In the hallowed halls of cathedrals and basilicas, time itself seems to bow in reverence. These are not mere monuments of stone, art and stained glass, but places of contemplation, where whispers of prayer and centuries of devotion linger in the air.

Too often, the sacred hush is broken—by careless chatter, the intrusive click of cameras, or the clamor of hurried footsteps. One must wonder: have we forgotten how to listen to silence? To stand in awe of something greater than ourselves?

These spaces were built to lift the soul, to offer respite from the noise of the world. Let us honor them as they deserve—with quiet footsteps, hushed voices, and hearts open to the beauty of stillness. For in the silence, we might just hear the echo of the divine.

*Respect the sacred. Embrace the silence.*