- Feb 5, 2002
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Finding Faith Beyond Earth’s Boundaries...
Astronaut Thomas D. Jones. In 1994, he flew as a mission specialist on successive flights of Space Shuttle Endeavour. (photo: Wikimedia Commons / NASA)
“Catholic” means universal, and the faith has not been confined to Earth’s gravitational pull. Many astronauts have been Catholic, and some spoke eloquently about their faith. Tragically, a few lost their lives.
Thomas Jones of Virginia spent 54 days in space on four shuttle missions. As a member of the Endeavour crew in 1994, Jones and two other crew members gathered for a brief Communion service on a Sunday. The consecrated Host had been carried aboard in a simple golden pyx. Moments after the three had shared the Body of Christ, dazzling white light burst through the cockpit windows. The sun had risen. The rays of light exposed the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean. Tears moistened Jones's eyes. One of the other astronauts, gazing at the dazzling color of the waters below, remarked, “It’s the blue of the Virgin’s veil, Tom.”
Continued below.
“Catholic” means universal, and the faith has not been confined to Earth’s gravitational pull. Many astronauts have been Catholic, and some spoke eloquently about their faith. Tragically, a few lost their lives.
Thomas Jones of Virginia spent 54 days in space on four shuttle missions. As a member of the Endeavour crew in 1994, Jones and two other crew members gathered for a brief Communion service on a Sunday. The consecrated Host had been carried aboard in a simple golden pyx. Moments after the three had shared the Body of Christ, dazzling white light burst through the cockpit windows. The sun had risen. The rays of light exposed the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean. Tears moistened Jones's eyes. One of the other astronauts, gazing at the dazzling color of the waters below, remarked, “It’s the blue of the Virgin’s veil, Tom.”
Continued below.
