Saint Mary of the Seven Sorrows Catholic Church

(63) May 22,2018. Took a few days to think about my visit to St. Mary of the Seven Sorrows. The first Catholic Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Dedicated in 1847.

I looked forward to opening the doors to see her beauty and celebrate Mass. Instead, it was my first experience to be greeted by an armed security guard in a Church. With so many violent crimes occurring against innocent worshipers, the Church had to make this choice for protection.

Before Mass began, a man was ushered out by the security guard. Sadly, he was under the influence of drugs, or suffered mental illness, and caused some havoc in front of the alter. It was heartbreaking to witness the evil that possessed that man’s soul, and to see him removed from Church where all should be welcomed.

After Mass, I had the chance to speak with the security guard, who also works as a paramedic. One of his calls was to a Church that a man entered and killed a woman and wounded others. That experience branded his memory of how evil can destroy lives. This man does his best to protect those who enter the Church to worship God.

Evil tries to distract people from God. But God’s Word will always prevail. And it was Good hearing The Word in this historic parish.