REDEMPTION AND LIGHT

St. John Paul II with the Magi

We are closely connected to a Knights of Columbus Council north of us. They are responsible for the group of youth that come every year to help with haying, building etc. We receive the Knight’s magazine “Columbia” which this month has the cover story on the SAINT JOHN PAUL II National Shrine  in Washington D.C. It is a place of prayer for Catholics and welcomes people of all faiths. It houses a permanent exhibit called "A Gift of Love: the Life of Saint John Paul II" and hosts temporary exhibits relating to the history of the Catholic Church in North America. It has a Chapel with daily services.

The 130,000-square-foot  building is built on 12 acres adjacent to The Catholic University of America and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Jesus is Recognized in the Breaking of the Bread

The main focus of the magazine is the stunning mosaics done by the renowned artist Father Marko Ivan Rupnik. The first mosaics executed were done at the request of Pope John Paul himself in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in the Vatican in 1999 commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s priestly ordination.

Father Rupnik was born in Slovenia in 1954 and in 1973 joined the Jesuits. He studied both theology and art and was ordained in 1981. Today his art is found all over the world, including Fatima, Lourdes and the shrine of St. Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo. He is director of Centro Aletti, a community of artists run by Jesuits and consecrated women. He has a doctorate and presently lives in Rome.

Wedding Feast at Cana

Father Rupnik says his work as an artist and theologian has always been complemented with work that is more specifically pastoral, teaching and retreats.

He says St. John Paul II shaped his work.  In his 1999 letter to artists the Saint wrote that "the role of sacred art opens us to the mystery of Revelation and the wonder of creation."

I found a video on line where you can get a better view of these works of art. Photographs do not do the colors justice, especially the sparkling gold. His stunning art makes visible the glory of God and the drama of salvation history.

          http://www.ovguide.com/saint-john-paul-ii-national-shrine-

 Father Rupnik and the Centro Aletti artists can be seen in over 130 churches around the world. Here are more works from other sites.

Sts, Cyril & Methodius- Slovenia