My absolute favorite part of today was being able to tour the Old Ursuline Convent Museum. Walking through the gates of the convent was the maze-like rows of bushes perfectly trimmed with concrete walkways throughout. There was a wrought iron gazebo in the left corner in which an old stone bench sat in front of.
As you open the heavy wood door your eyes immediately get drawn to the beautiful dark wood winding stairway. This stairway is the original stairway that was in the building in 1751. This stairway being that old looked to be in pretty good condition but was blocked off and we were not able to use them. It was pointed out that the stairway did not have any support system also which is very unique especially now. Next to the stairway was an old original grandfather clock
Original Stairway
Original grandfather clock
When we stepped inside the church where mass would take place it was absolutely breathtaking at the altar. The alter kept your attention as you had so much beauty to take in you were absorbed in so many textures, colors and figures that it could possibly take you several minutes to see everything there was to see. For me, who is not familiar with the Catholic religion, understanding the reason behind the placement or the reason behind the exact symbol in ones hand was a bit overwhelming to remember from one statue to another because there were so many symbolic reasoning's for each detail put into the making of the alter which was made specifically for this church.
This is made from gifts given of members of the church many years ago. It is 100% 14K gold and very valuable. At the end of every day it is lowered down into a vault for safe keeping.
As we are ending our trip in NOLA I have began reflecting on my trip a little more and thinking about how the city has reflected on me. I keep thinking about last night and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Joan of Arc sainthood and also welcomed the start of the carnival season in New Orleans. To be able to be here and be a part of this wonderful celebration was such an honor and so much fun. The preparation that was put into this parade was unbelievable and to think that parades like these happen quite often in New Orleans is crazy. This is definitely quite the party place.
Joan of Arc was named the "Maid of Orleans" at age 18 she led the French army to victory over the English at Orleans. She was captured a year later and burned at the stake by the English and their French collaborators. She was canonized as a Roman Catholic saint more than 500 years later on May 16, 1920.
The video I chose to share with you is only a very small portion of the parade, which was approximately an hour long parade. In the parade they handed out all kinds of things to the guests watching the parade. We received cards, books of matches, coins, scrolls, letters (which I have pictured), some received wooded swords, and many other things that I didn't see but were given out. I was given the sealed letter because when the guy coming around was yelling to the crowd I was the one yelling back and he heard me and was impressed (go figure)! This was a very memorable and fun experience today that I will never forget and so glad that I got to be a part of.
This was the young lady who played Joan of Arc in the parade
My absolute favorite part of today was being able to tour the Old Ursuline Convent Museum. Walking through the gates of the convent was the maze-like rows of bushes perfectly trimmed with concrete walkways throughout. There was a wrought iron gazebo in the left corner in which an old stone bench sat in front of. 
When we stepped inside the church where mass would take place it was absolutely breathtaking at the altar. The alter kept your attention as you had so much beauty to take in you were absorbed in so many textures, colors and figures that it could possibly take you several minutes to see everything there was to see. For me, who is not familiar with the Catholic religion, understanding the reason behind the placement or the reason behind the exact symbol in ones hand was a bit overwhelming to remember from one statue to another because there were so many symbolic reasoning's for each detail put into the making of the alter which was made specifically for this church. 
As we are ending our trip in NOLA I have began reflecting on my trip a little more and thinking about how the city has reflected on me. I keep thinking about last night and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Joan of Arc sainthood and also welcomed the start of the carnival season in New Orleans. To be able to be here and be a part of this wonderful celebration was such an honor and so much fun. The preparation that was put into this parade was unbelievable and to think that parades like these happen quite often in New Orleans is crazy. This is definitely quite the party place. 
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