Embedded Files
What is this about?
Here you see the confessional of “King David”.
It is designed to help churchgoers.
Towards rest, peace, and to stand righteous before God.
Perhaps even a royal invitation.
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Imagine:
Your conscience won't let go.
Kept something secret. Hurt someone. Regret.
Make a clean sweep or not?
Amsterdammers knew this.
That is why Amsterdam's popular confessional church has no fewer than 8 permanent confessionals.
Plus 1 reserve.
More than any other church in Amsterdam.
Why confess?
For peace in your heart.
Anonymous and protected by the secrecy of confession.
How does the church help?
With image and word.
The ‘King David’ confessional depicts his struggle in wood and text.
To help you take the plunge.
Ornamental arch
Look, see and read
Ornamental arch with Old Dutch Bible texts:
You see above the confessional, on the left and right:
Links: "Is there any sorrow like my sorrow (Tren. 1:12)"
Right: “Do not forget the sighs of your mother (Eccl. 7:29)"
Wood carving
Look, see and read
Wood carving
Deception and cause of guilt, unrest, and discontent: a demon
Guidance to innocence, rest, and peace: Mary of Christ Jesus.
The lamb represents the Lamb of God, the Son of Mary.
Statue, drawn
Look, see and read
Statue of Mary, Mother of Sorrows
The look:Quiet, sad. Corner of the mouth slightly down.
The hands:Folded in front of her body. Fingers intertwined.
The eyes:Slanted upwards. Pointed at the sky.
The cloak:Clamped under her arm on the left. Creates soft folds.
Rest, read, understand
What is the background of the design?
Klik hieronder en ontdek.
Rest, read, discover
Rest, read, discover
What is the confessional threshold?
What is the confessional threshold?
Taking that first step into the confessional feels nerve-wracking. That’s normal.
Read the words on the wall. Discover what Mother of Sorrows went through
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The threshold is in your head.
Saying mistakes out loud is hard because of 3 feelings:
Shame
Afraid of what the priest thinks
Vulnerability
Exposing yourself feels unsafePride
Hard to admit you were wrong
Debt
Your mistakes might feel too heavy to say
Why confess anyway?
No punishment, only healing → The priest doesn’t condemn. He helps.
No judgment → Priests have heard everything. They respect your honesty.
Absolute secrecy → What you say stays between you, the priest, and God.
Relief → Speaking it clears your head. A clean slate.The struggle in wood
Look at the arch: demon vs angel.
The demon stops you. The angel points to the Lamb of God
Who is Mother of Sorrows?
Who is Mother of Sorrows?
The Mother of Sorrows is Mary in mourning. An image of parents watching helplessly at the suffering of their child. Raw grief. Carried in silence. Besides the crucifixion of Christ Jesus, the Bible mentions 6 other moments of the Mother of Sorrows.
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In Holy Scripture there are 7 Sorrows:
1. The sword:Prediction of suffering: "A sword pierces your soul."
2. The flight:To Egypt in the middle of the night. King Herod wants to kill her child.
3. Seeking Jesus, 12 years old, lost in the temple. Three days of fear.
4. The Way of the Cross: Her son beneath the cross. He watches. She can do nothing.
5. The crucifixionHours of being near Jesus. Ultimate powerlessness.
6. On Pieta: Her deceased son in her arms. This image is moving. (It is also in this church)
7. The grave: Lay him down. Close the grave. Let go of everything.
Why was this design chosen?
Why was this design chosen?
Mary knew joy but also deep pain. Seven moments show her helpless grief, from the flight to Egypt to the burial of her Son.
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When you look at her, you see it: she has suffered because of our missteps. With her Son.
Seven swords pierced her heart. Her son suffers for the sake of those who need forgiveness. It cuts her to the bone. It cuts through her heart,
That is why she stands by this confessional. You do not want to cause the Mother of your Savior, nor your Savior, any extra suffering because you have made another misstep. That touches you, and you want to make amends, to cross the threshold of confession.
How does the design help cross the confessional threshold?
How does the design help cross the confessional threshold?
Mary lowers the threshold to confession. She does this as a compassionate Mother through understanding, mediation, and comfort in human suffering.
If she doesn't help over the confessional threshold, who will?
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In de praktijk verlaagt Maria de drempel tot het sacrament van boete en verzoening (de biecht) op de volgende manieren:
Geen angst voor oordeel: Bidden tot Maria of haar bezoeken in een kapelletje voelt vertrouwder. De stap naar de biecht wordt makkelijker.
Moederlijke bemiddeling: Maria wordt gezien als de ultieme brug tussen de mens en God. Maria wordt om hulp bij gevraagd voor het verkrijgen van een oprecht berouw over hun zonden.
Herkenning in gedeeld verdriet: De Zeven Smarten van Maria staat voor universeel menselijk leed. Haar begrip voor de menselijke zwakheid, troost. Men is sneller geneigd zijn het hart te luchten.
Is there a Smart like my Smart
Do not forget the sighs of your mother
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