Kelly and I visited the Chapel of Loretto the afternoon after we wandered the Georgia O’Keefe Museum. As we walked in, we found that this was no longer a working chapel, but had been changed into a historical museum that still held the occasional wedding.

I felt disappointed, but wanted to see the stairs. As I entered the chapel, all of my disappointment vanished and I was overcome with peace and awe. I walked into the chapel and found a spot in the back, behind the stairs, just to sit with my thoughts.

I wrote this on Instagram, and I do not know how to say it any better:

The facts – the stairs are unexplainable. They stand without a center pole. The wood is not of this earth (as declared by a US. Naval scientist). There are 33 steps.
The faith – the Sisters of Loretto prayed for a carpenter for nine days to build the staircase and finish the chapel. A man showed on a donkey and worked alone. The stairs were built and the man disappeared. They believe it was St. Joseph.
I believe them. I stood in awe – humbled and amazed at these stairs. Beautiful. Unexplainable.

I looked up and saw my dear friend praying at the front of the chapel. Tears flowed freely from my eyes. Was it possible that I was sitting in a place where St. Joseph himself stood? Yes. Yes, it is possible. Yes, I believe.

This is a picture of the stairs as they were before the rails were added. The Staircase has two complete 360 degree turns with no center pole for structural support. The entire weight of the staircase rests on the bottom stair. There are 33 steps. I hope you get to go in and see the stairs.

Take a deep breath and know that miracles still happen.