Figure 1 – Adoration of the Virgin, Parishoners gathered for mass before the Immaculate Conception Churd of Mary Adoration of the Apostles Church, Sunday, May 3, 2020. (c) DE Wolf 2020.

A striking and touching moment each Sunday morning, in this time of the first isolation, is the gathering of the faithful in front of Salem’s historic Immaculate Conception Church – Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish. The church is closed officially, but the doors are flung open wide, and an altar has been placed in the doorway.  A small and socially-distanced crowd of masked-parishioners gathers on the lawn. Some like the gentlemen in his Sunday-best fall to their knees.I have been trying to conceive this photograph for weeks, while at the same time not being too intrusive, remaining respectful. This Sunday I got the concept of featuring the Ten Commandment Plaques in the foreground – the foundation of faith. I feel that it is still photographically imperfect. But I do hope that it captures this moment of Sunday hope and adoration.