You have, I am sure, heard that Archbishop Burke started a marvelous project to build a Shrine to O.L. of Guadalupe near LaCrosse, WI. The Archbishop just dedicated the church the other day.
There are marvelous photos of the church, which is as Roman Baroque as you can get, on the site of the LaCrosse Tribune.
If you can’t get to Rome any time soon, but want the experience of a Roman Church, make a pilgrimage.
Here are some samples of the beautiful photos.
Coat of Arms by D Burkart
on Your Sunday Sermon Notes: 3rd Sunday after Easter (N.O. 4th of Easter) 2024: “I remember only the joke at the beginning of the homily: Priests get four weeks of vacation per year. Some…”
on “you must not remember your forefathers…” Wherein Fr. Z rants.: “My children at one of the solid Chesterton Academies have been taught science and theology by an amazing young Catholic…”
on Three items of interest: a conversion, a connection, and a con job: “What is it that changed about the Catholic Herald? Interesting interview by George Farmer. (If only the faithful could be…”
on Three items of interest: a conversion, a connection, and a con job: “Wonderful news about Candace Owens and George Farmer. Thank you for continually pointing out that Holy Orders is one Sacrament.…”
on ROME 24/4– Day 31 (-10): The Parish™…. what’s next?: “Just Some Guy: Perhaps others will get back to you before twilight’s last gleaming.”
on ROME 24/4– Day 31 (-10): The Parish™…. what’s next?: ““This beautiful sunny yet cool Roman day started by the sun’s rising at 06:19 and it will end at 19:59.”…”
on Your Sunday Sermon Notes: 3rd Sunday after Easter (N.O. 4th of Easter) 2024: “We are in the process of moving to the Lehigh Valley so this Sunday after the closing on our new…”
on Your Sunday Sermon Notes: 3rd Sunday after Easter (N.O. 4th of Easter) 2024: “So, I usually attend a TLM at an FSSP parish at home. I was traveling this weekend, however, and opted…” on ROME 24/4– Day 32 (-9): Happy Birthday Rome!: “acard: That’s fettucine alla bolognese. And they were good with a Lazio Syrah. The addition of the rosemary was a…”
on ASK FATHER: Kissing the priest’s hand in the Latin Mass v. the liturgical spirit of Judas. Wherein Fr. Z rants.: “It seems more likely that medieval court rituals were based on the Mass, rather than the other way around. That…”
on ASK FATHER: Kissing the priest’s hand in the Latin Mass v. the liturgical spirit of Judas. Wherein Fr. Z rants.: “Excellent overview Fr. Z! For those who are interested in a defense of the royalism or courtliness of the TLM,…”
on ROME 24/4– Day 32 (-9): Happy Birthday Rome!: “That pasta dish looks yummy! What is the name of that and ingredients?”
on Faith practice declining far and wide…. except…: “Charivari Rob – Unfortunately I have been forced to switch computers twice recently and have lost the reference. The numbers…”
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Beautiful pictures Father..
Beautiful. We need more of his caliber of bishop. Finally, someone who understands that beauty is God’s house is what will help bring back sanctity, holiness, and reverence. I’m in awe.
I watched the consecration of this magnificent church. It is truly a place of pilgrimage and grace. I will have to get back to Wisconsin to visit it.
What’s with the painting with the woman holding a baby and leading children in a lab coat? Does this represent a Mother, a Doctor, Nun? Where’s the children’s Father? This is a rather strange modernistic painting. It seems completely out of place to me. [As out of place as this rash comment, perhaps? I warmly, urgently, recommend you to read this without delay. ]
Above comment by Mark – not Markor.
Markor:
It’s St. Gianna Molla. Look her up online.
I wish that the good Archbishop had had \”Non fecit taliter omni nationi\” inscribed below the beautiful mosaic of OL Guadalupe. It is extremely common to see this inscription accompanying the image on altars in Mexico. The Archbishop himself explained its significance in an article that he wrote on the subject back in 2004: http://www.stlouisreview.com/abpcolumn.php?abpid=7560
But the Church is extremely beautiful. Great news!
Hello Fr. Z,
I saw these yesterday – but kudos for bringing attention to them here.
1) It’s an extraordinarily beautiful baroque church design by Duncan Stroik. It’s proof that we can still build beautiful sacred architecture – and on a reasonable budget. Let us hope this serves to inspire more *Catholic* looking churches in the U.S. in the coming years.
2) I’m struck by the continuing stream of criticisms of this project in Wisconsin (see comments under the story) – usually from 1) misunderstandings that the money comes straight from diocesan coffers, or 2) that the money could be better spent on “the poor” or “schools” (notwithstanding that the money was specifically donated for this project); or 3) that the Shrine is too ostentatious; or 4) that in its current location, in the absence of any local miracle, it makes no sense. Or finally: from people who just don’t like Archbishop Burke, who is “too strict” or “too mean” or is presumed to have personally wrecked La Crosse’s Catholic schools (no matter that whatever challenges those schools face are long term structural ones due mainly to the drying up of teaching vocations and larger Catholic families – the fault lies in ourselves, dear Brutus).
I was speaking with someone about this beautiful Church yesterday – she said that it had two main altars? Is this true?? I’ve never heard of two *main* altars before…
St. Gianna Molla!!! oh that image brought tears to my eyes.
What a stark contrast between this beautiful and inspirational church and those barren, minimalistic designs of the \’70s and \’80s. Bravo, Archbishop Burke! and thanks Fr. Z for telling us about this fabulous Shrine.
I would REALLY be impressed if I saw some Altar rails for Holy Communion. Sigh.
Is that a picture of the completed painting? It looks unfinished to me. I hope they put the name of her above the painting.
It’s an amazing building, I’m sure the pictures don’t do it justice. I’m a little disappointed in the Sanctuary but it’s still a great improvement over any other modern era church. It was another let down to see only 2 candles on the Altar table. Hopefully they will use the Benedictine arrangement at some point down the road.
The biggest issue though was my DVR cutting off the end of the dedication on EWTN! I recorded 3 hours and it cut off right after the blessing of the altar in oils. Hopefully, it will be re-aired.
Quick question, can only a bishop consecrate an altar in that manner? We were going to invite our Archbishop to our feast mass of our patron saint but he is apparently not happy at all that we just installed a Gothic high altar in our historic church. (He is supposedly extremely not happy that we plan to install a communion rail) Photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwfmike/sets/72157605519555839/. Thanks in advance for any information someone can provide.
Father, thank you for redirecting. I appreciate the link illuminating the paintings significance.
My comments represent my impression of the painting – rash, perhaps. Yet, I don’t think I would be the only person, who through their ignorance would have a similar impression. The painting’s modern ‘look’ still seems out of place to me. Just my opinion, Father. Otherwise, an amazingly beautiful Shrine!
Jane, This shrine has communion rails.
WOw, breathtaking. I get so tired of hearing that it’s just not possible to build a beautiful old world style CHurch today because of the economic cost of materials. Obviously, if you build it, the money will come! I agree that the painting of St Gianna is different than the other images. But we have to remember she is a modern saint and represents modern married working mothers who can still become saints. Awesome!
The original and every image of St. Juan Diego’s tilma appears to have been “cut off” at the top.
Is that the case that it was damaged at some time in the past? Or is that the way it was when Juan Diego presented it to his bishop?
God Bless Archbishop Burke, and the people of La Crosse!
I am in Australia, so I won’t ever be able to visit this shrine. Through EWTN I saw it on TV. It is beautiful.
What?! Why is this not in the round? Why isn’t the altar a wooden table? Why is there marble and no felt? Why isn’t the tabernacle hidden away like it’s supposed to be? Why is there artwork? Why is there latin? Why isn’t the choir right in the front so they can put on the real show everyone has come to see? Where is the labyrinth instead of those woods? Doesn’t he know that people flock to such things?
Clearly this Burke fellow hasn’t embraced the inclusive, vibrant, diverse, liberating Spirit of Vatican II. Doesn’t he know that intent of Vatican II was to get rid of all those things? Doesn’t he know that these things belong to the old Church, and that Vatican II brought a new Church into being, so we must throw out everything that attaches us to the past? How can they possibly applaud all the people who are responsible for putting on the mass, and without whom the mass would never take place, in such a place?
People that come to this place probably wouldn’t even know how to celebrate themselves and rejoice in who we already are with all these distractions! What else is there to celebrate and worship if it isn’t us, just the way we are? He probably doesn’t even believe that we are Church, that being Church means being community, and that we make the Holy Spirit present by gathering together as community. Doesn’t sound very enlightened to me.
Besides, if the NCR and America aren’t covering this it probably isn’t news anyways.
You’ll notice that the only Catholic coverage of this dedication was from EWTN. There was absulutely no mention of the dedication from Catholic News Service or the USCCB. I watched the ceremony from start to finish. What a wonderful event it was.
Nice, Wisconsin! Another shrine to Mary. The Grotto in Dickeyville is another, though much less sophisticated. Close to Dickeyville, in St. Donatus, Iowa, is a Stations of the Cross walk that my relatives, including my mom, helped restore about 40 years ago.
Hopefully they will use the Benedictine arrangement at some point down the road.
Indeed they did, at the Mass of dedication. The six candles and altar cross were put out — on the three altar clothes as prescribed, the top one hanging to the floor on each side — just after the altar had been blessed. This was probably just after your DVR cut out.
Some parishioners just commuted up there from Detroit and I’m thinking of doing the same with a friend some weeks down the road when I get a little vacation time. Perhaps a long weekend. I understand it is about 9 hours from Detroit.
Beautiful place. Abp Burke talked on it when he visited Assumption Grotto to remember Fr. John Hardon last year, which he has been doing yearly. He showed a video on the place, which wasn’t as far a long as I see in these pics.
This shrine is also the home of the Marian Catechetical Center (Fr. John Hardon originally founded the Marian Catechists), then it was assumed by Archbishop Burke after Fr. Hardon died. The late, great theologian gave his blessing to the Marian Catechetical Center at the shrine complex before he passed away.
Great shots and hope to visit this fall, God willing.
The finished Shrine is a testament to Catholic Architects still being able to exercise their creative spirit without pulling punches.
I have my own criticisms of the building but I’d like to see more churches/oratories/shrines/cathedrals erected in the line of Duncan Stroik’s talents than what is being proposed up in Saskatoon.
St. Joseph the Worker, Ora pro nobis!
Indeed they did, at the Mass of dedication. The six candles and altar cross were put out—on the three altar clothes as prescribed, the top one hanging to the floor on each side—just after the altar had been blessed. This was probably just after your DVR cut out.
I hate that I missed that! It cut off right when the Archbishop was climbing the ladder to bless a cross on the wall. I saw this image in the gallery and assumed they used that candle arrangement: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/content/gallery/gallery_11/album_23/midsize_photo48921b8b213e4637268290.jpg. I hope they keep the six and cross. I would love to make the trip to the Shrine.
GREAT photos. Saddly, the actual Basilica of Our lady of Guadalupe (or “la villa”) is nothing like the above. It is a modernistic 60’s monstrosity. I had never seen the “old” basilica’s interior growing up, as it had always been closed due to the renovations caused by its sinking. It was only in 2005 when they had finally reopened it to the public. Almost all the art and artifacts (anything that wasn’t nailed down or painted into the walls) was gone.l But it really was magnificent.
There is another Church like this going up – have a look at the video of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel at Thomas Aquinas College which is nearing completion – http://www.thomasaquinas.edu.
Beautiful! And so is the proposed chapel of Our Lady proposed at St. Thomas Aquinas. It blatently contrasts with the modernist edifice in L.A.:
http://www.olacathedral.org/index.html
This is how they describe the Altar:
“May this altar be the place where the great mysteries of redemption are accomplished, a place where your people offer their gifts, unfold their good intentions, pour out their prayers, and echo every meaning of their faith and devotion.”
Not the slightest mention of the Sacrifice, I would say they are “protestants,” in the guise of Catholic clothes, since the Sacrifice is the central mystery of Mass.
The OLA Cathedral is one of the absolute worst, just horrible and ugly. Their tabernacle looks like a clump of junk. The new basilica to our lady of guadalupe isn’t much better. Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do. [Why even bring this up?]
I hope we see more in the design of this new shrine.
According to the Milwaukee newspaper, a “special” and dramatic moment occurred at the shrine earlier in the week, when a statue of Tekakwitha was being blessed in a devotional area along a meditation trail.
“Two young eagles began circling, cavorting in the air, dipping down toward the statue and loudly calling out,” said Jack Socha, a shrine spokesman. “It only happened during the blessing. They were not seen afterward. To Native Americans, this is significant. It was a very moving moment.”
A relic of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the daughter of a Mohawk warrior and the first American Indian to be declared “blessed” – a major step toward being declared a saint – was placed inside the main altar along with a relic of Blessed Father Miguel Agustín Pro, who was executed in 1927 during a persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico.
Here is some info about Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha:
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680) is honored by the Catholic Church as the patroness of ecology and the environment. Tekakwitha was born near the town of Auriesville, New York, USA. Tekakwitha’s father was a Mohawk chief and her mother was a Catholic Algonquin.
At the age of four, smallpox attacked her village, taking the lives of her parents and baby brother, and leaving Tekakwitha an orphan. Although forever weakened, scarred, and partially blind, Tekakwitha survived.
The brightness of the sun blinded her and she would feel her way around as she walked. Seeing her groping about, they named here Tekakwitha, which means “The One Who Walks Groping for Her Way.” Poetically, her name is sometimes translated as “The One Who Puts Everything in Order.” It is said that Sonkwaiatison, God the Creator, left her in darkness to see His light.
Tekakwitha was adopted by her two aunts and her uncle, also a Mohawk chief. After the smallpox outbreak subsided, Tekakwitha and her people abandoned their village and built a new settlement, called Caughnawaga, some five miles away on the north bank of the Mohawk River.
In many ways, Tekakwitha’s life was the same as all young Native American girls. It entailed days filled with chores, spending happy times with other girls, communing with nature, and planning for her future.
Tekakwitha grew into a young woman with a sweet, shy personality. She helped her aunts work in the fields where they tended to the corn, beans, and squash, and took care of the traditional longhouse in which they lived. She went to the neighboring forest to pick the roots needed to prepare medicines and dye. She collected firewood in the forest and water from a stream. Despite her poor vision, she also became very skilled at beadwork.
Although Tekakwitha was not baptized as an infant, she had fond memories of her good and prayerful mother and of the stories of Catholic faith that her mother shared with her in childhood. These remained indelibly impressed upon her mind and heart and were to give shape and direction to her life’s destiny. She often went to the woods alone to speak to God and listen to Him in her heart and in the voice of nature.
When Tekakwitha was eighteen, Father de Lamberville, a Jesuit missionary, came to Caughnawaga and established a chapel. Her uncle disliked the “Blackrobe” and his strange new religion, but tolerated the missionary’s presence. Kateri vaguely remembered her mother’s whispered prayers, and was fascinated by the new stories she heard about Jesus Christ, Son of the Holy Virgin. She wanted to learn more about Him and to become a Christian.
Father de Lamberville persuaded her uncle to allow Tekakwitha to attend religious instructions. The following Easter, twenty-year old Tekakwitha was baptized. Radiant with joy, she was given the name of Kateri, which is Mohawk for Catherine.
Kateri’s family did not accept her choice to embrace Christ. After her baptism, Kateri became the village outcast. Her family refused her food on Sundays because she wouldn’t work. Children would taunt her and throw stones. She was threatened with torture or death if she did not renounce her religion.
Because of increasing hostility from her people and because she wanted to devote her life to working for God, in July of 1677, Kateri left her village and fled more than 200 miles (322 km) through woods, rivers, and swamps to the Catholic mission of St. Francis Xavier at Sault Saint-Louis, near Montreal. Kateri’s journey through the wilderness took more than two months. Because of her determination in proving herself worthy of God and her undying faith she was allowed to receive her First Holy Communion on Christmas Day, 1677.
Although not formally educated and unable to read and write, Kateri led a life of prayer and penitential practices. She taught the young and helped those in the village who were poor or sick. Her favorite devotion was to fashion crosses out of sticks and place them throughout the woods. These crosses served as stations that reminded her to spend a moment in prayer.
Kateri’s motto became, “Who can tell me what is most pleasing to God that I may do it?” She spent much of her time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, kneeling in the cold chapel for hours. When the winter hunting season took Kateri and many of the villagers away from the village, she made her own little chapel in the woods by carving a Cross on a tree and spent time in prayer there, kneeling in the snow. Kateri loved the Rosary and carried it around her neck always.
Often people would ask, “Kateri, tell us a story.” Kateri remembered everything she was told about the life of Jesus and his followers. People would listen for a long time. They enjoyed being with her because they felt the presence of God. One time a priest asked the people why they gathered around Kateri in church. They told him that they felt close to God when Kateri prayed. They said that her face changed when she was praying. It became full of beauty and peace, as if she were looking at God’s face.
On March 25, 1679, Kateri made a vow of perpetual virginity, meaning that she would remain unmarried and totally devoted to Christ for the rest of her life. Kateri hoped to start a convent for Native American sisters in Sault St. Louis but her spiritual director, Father Pierre Cholonec discouraged her. Kateri’s health, never good, was deteriorating rapidly due in part to the penances she inflicted on herself. Father Cholonec encouraged Kateri to take better care of herself but she laughed and continued with her “acts of love.”
The poor health which plagued her throughout her life led to her death in 1680 at the age of 24. Her last words were, “Jesus, I love You.” Like the flower she was named for, the lily, her life was short and beautiful. Moments after dying, her scarred and disfigured face miraculously cleared and was made beautiful by God. This miracle was witnessed by two Jesuits and all the others able to fit into the room.
Kateri is known as the “Lily of the Mohawks.” The Catholic Church declared Kateri venerable in 1943. She was beatified in 1980 by Pope John Paul II. Kateri is the first Native American to be declared Blessed. Her feast is celebrated on July 14th in the United States.
Re: OLA, I also found this on the “Welcome,” page:
*The Cathedral serves as a “model Church for all Parish Churches” in the style and content of its liturgical celebrations.*
“model Church”! Here is a picture of the altar of this “model” Church C/O Michael Davies:
http://www.amazon.com/Liturgical-Time-Bombs-Vatican-Destruction/dp/0895557738/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217728825&sr=8-2
Steve – excellent post. But isn’t Juan Diego (the recipient of the Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe) the first native American to be declared blessed?
This is what I found:
In Mexico, Pope John Paul II canonized Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (Aztec, 1474-1548), the first American Indian to be declared a saint by the Catholic Church. Juan Diego was credited with receiving two apparitions from the Virgin of Guadalupe in 1531.
Re: “modernistic”
The artist is actually being very much pre-modern. He mingles pictures of people in Biblical clothes, clothes from Mexico of the 1500’s, and contemporary clothes all in one painting — because before the modern era, _nobody cared_. He’s not trying to make a historical documentary; he’s showing the Communion of saints and the intersection of eternity with time.
Similarly, he’s not afraid to use bright colors. I’m with him for another reason besides being pre-modern. Given that these colors will be contending with the dim gray light of Northern winters for a good chunk of each year, bright baroque colors are a gooooood idea.
Must we ruin an entry about beautiful architecture by discussing what is ugly?
Folks, I don’t mind if people vent a little here and there, but this is my blog, not a bulletin board or a forum or telephone poll near the coffee house near the local campus.
Honestly… !
Inspirational. I love it. Coming from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan originally, I appreciate the fall colors in one of the photos, and the Shrine among the trees. All for the glory of God!
Praise God.
You are right, Fr. Z. I apologize for my comments and anything I may have done to redirect attention from this beautiful shrine.
I hope my comment was properly understood as satire ;-)
Ray Marshall, according to a book I saw quoted, “During the sixteenth century the garment was cut down to the size of the image, which measures 66″x41″. The Figure of Our Lady is 56″ tall.”
They used to be a lot freer with the tilma than they are now. At once point they painted lots of little cherubs surrounding Our Lady. These figures were later removed, but the golden rays under them were damaged from it. Also, in the 1700’s she twice had a crown of rays painted on her head. It wore off quickly both times.
What I love about the mosaic of the tilma in this new shrine is that the gold pattern overlaying the pale red dress is brought out much more clearly. (See http://www.lacrossetribune.com/shared-content/gallery/?galleryid=11&gallery_page=0&album_page=0&albumid=23&mediaid=1572 ) Many people know the symbolism contained therein. There are a number of little gold flowers with five or more petals, but there’s exactly one flower with four petals, and that flower is over the womb of Our Lady (who’s said to be pregnant in this image.) The four-petaled flower was used in the indigenous Aztec religion as a symbol for the god who was the giver of life. I saw some amazing underground Aztec ruins myself, and unexpectedly came upon large carvings of the flower, and it’s exactly the same flower. People aren’t making it up: she has the symbol for the Giver of Life over her womb where Our Lord is. The tilma was a message the Aztec people could read.
gotcha, Fr. Z, really, I think this new church is stunning, and I am an ardent student of the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe; an image which, I believe in my heart, and which I think is backed by empirical proof, was painted by “otherworldy hands.” Our Lady converted millions (and, today, nearly a billion) through the gentle hands of angels on the Tilma of Bl. Juan Diego…
I saw this dedication on EWTN. I remember seeing one of the concelebrating bishops wear a pallium, I presume that he is the Metropolitan of Milwaukee. But is it proper for a metropolitan in his own jurisdiction to be a concelebrant and wear his pallium at the same time? Or should he concelebrate at all? Maybe he shoud be better off attending in choro.
Thank you very much, Father Z, for bringing this beautiful church to our attention. Now the U.S. has even more reason to regret the transfer of Archbishop Burke to Rome: what an inspirational leader he was and how much bishops like him are needed.
Incidentally, you might consider adding the marvelous painting of Blessed Miguel Pro to your post. It is here: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/shared-content/gallery/?galleryid=11&gallery_page=0&album_page=0&albumid=23&mediaid=1577. Blessed Miguel’s story is as inspiring as Blessed Gianna’s. It can be found here: http://guardduty.wordpress.com/2007/02/07/%c2%a1-viva-cristo-rey-blessed-miguel-pro-sj/ Viva Cristo Rey!
Artist Neilson Carlin painted both the pictures of Blessed Gianna Molla and Miguel Pro.
Wow!
That painting of St. Miguel Pro is stunning. Thank you for posting the link.
A view of the communion rails looking outward from the sanctuary toward the nave:
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/shared-content/gallery/?galleryid=11&gallery_page=0&album_page=0&albumid=23&mediaid=1593
A closeup view of the beautiful detail of the communion railes:
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/shared-content/gallery/?galleryid=11&gallery_page=0&album_page=0&albumid=23&mediaid=1583
What an interesting tabernacle! Can anyone explain what the relief on the door symbolizes? I’ve never seen an image of Christ coming out of a chalice before.
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/shared-content/gallery/?galleryid=11&gallery_page=0&album_page=0&albumid=23&mediaid=1585
Absolutely stunning. And I confirm the ability of these beautiful churches to transport you overseas. Whenever I arrive at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Hanceville), I immediately feel like I am back in Italy. May our Shepherds be inspired by this beauty and seek to imitate it through out our country!
Thanks for the beautiful pictures! Note to self: visit this shrine!
Newtrad: [St. Gianna] represents modern married working mothers who can still become saints.
May I gently remind you that all mothers work? Some get paid, and some don’t, but whether you do it in the home or in an office, it’s still work.
God bless.
That painting of St. Gianna Molla really does seem odd. It looks like the picture was taken before the art was in place so they included a computer animation to be a placeholder. It’s not bad, it just doesn’t mesh well with the rest of the Basilica. Maybe more detail is visible in person.
The parish I grew up in had a simpler, but still beautiful, baldacchino over the high altar. Does anyone know what the development of the baldacchino was? What’s the symbolism being conveyed? I’d never really thought of the question till now.
I’m actually quite glad that there is an altar to the great St. Gianna Molla – her heroic nature puts most men (including myself) to shame. It is good to see new saints being incorporated into the traditional framework in the church.
There is also a moving altar to Blessed Miguel Pro being martyred and of him saying the traditional mass in front of God the Father.
Whilst I am opposed to anymore changes to the 1962 Missal [unless they go pre-1962 ;-)] I have no problem with new saints being added, provided that it is the Pope who composes the offices and no one else.
The image of St. Gianna Molla shown above *is* a computer-generated placeholder; you can tell by the lack of asymmetric shadows, the lack of “real-life” gradient in the “sky” above St. Gianna, etc.
Err… then again, I looked at some other photos directly from the La Crosse Trib. website, and now I’m not so sure. The picture certainly *looks* “stylized”…
I was at the shrine last summer before the whole thing was finished. I was impressed by the exterior and prayed that the interior would be as beautiful. I am not disappointed. The prayer paths, the shrine to St. Joseph by sculptor by Fr. Anthony Brankin, the votive chapel….it is all very inspiring. Everyone should go there on pilgrimage….and you don’t need a passport!
Question: Can the EF form of the Mass physically be celebrated at this main altar?
I visited the shrine in late April–a “pilgrimage” that was a birthday gift from my kids. It was beautiful, especially the outdoor sculptures along the winding prayer path, but I thought to myself, “How in the world is the shrine itself going to be completed enough to dedicate by the end of July????” Large earth-moving machines were all over the place together with guys in hard hats, etc. Signs were up making it impossible to get very close…and I couldn’t see any sort of dome! Currently laid up and bored silly with a new right hip replacement so couldn’t get to the dedication, but WOW!!! I think we have a miracle here, and I can’t wait to get down to LaCrosse to see it! God bless Archbishop Burke! and the contributors!
I give props also to the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, who will staff the shrine (“We don’t deserve this!!” ) They follow good art, and have Sisters doing really beautiful liturgical music; and since the Motu Proprio, their founder has expressed his wish that all novices learn to serve the TLM. Father, you haven’t posted on them, have you?
Speaking of the Franciscans of the Immaculate who now staff the new Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, WI, take a look at this 3 minute video on their website… Sandals & Fiddlebacks – Franciscan Traditional Latin Mass
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
Those pictures are beautiful.
I was especially touched by the beautiful painting of St. Gianna Molla, one of my favorite saints.
That artist, and the artists and artisans involved in building this beautiful house of God, need our thanks
To those posters criticizing the painting…
IT IS A NEW PAINTING. There is no aging and darkening. There is no subtle cracking. It is NEW.
That is why it looks the way it does.
It is very nicely done.
I missed the consecration of the shrine! Uggh!
Is there any way I can watch it now?
Dear trad,
I think many people are well aware that mothers work. Very hard.
I think it is not necessary to require people to refers to \”mothers employed for monetary recompense outside the home\” to remind people that all mothers work.
Dear Ed the Roman,
I’m afraid it is. Perhaps in your part of the country, stay-at-home mothers are esteemed as much as mothers who work-for-money, but in my neck of the woods, they are usually labelled “not working” and “not economically productive”.
I don’t live in a very traditionalist area…
Best regards.
You could try contacting EWTN’s religious catalogue department and see if they have a DVD available. they often have DVDs available of special Masses and dedications.
It is truly heartening to see that there are still craftspeople around who are able to execute such beautiful work. The view up into the dome is stunning – I love the motif of gold stars on blue, which I assume is intended as a reflection of the cloak of the Guadeloupe image? I should really love to attend Mass there: I’m now putting it down as a long-term aim for when I finally retire and get to do my 6-month tour of the US :) I wonder whether it’s the intention that Masses will be said at the beautiful side-altars? Hope so.
I don’t think the negative reaction some people have to the paintings can be ascribed to the newness of the artwork. The paintings exhibit an illustrative style such as might be appropriate in both scale and reproduction in a book, but which lacks depth and subtlety. If they were intended to be seen from a great distance, such as paintings on ceilings, then this would be less problematic. I don’t doubt that the artists offered the best that they were able, but the confusion between the canons of fine art and graphic arts affects a great deal of modern painting. I suspect this is in part because many artists are obliged to earn a living doing graphic arts, so learn techniques and styles that are appropriate to this career. Also, almost no art schools teach classical painting techniques any longer, so very few artists understand e.g. Venetian underpainting or how to achieve atmospheric perspective.
To correct a statement above, according to the most ancient account, The Lady appeared to Juan Diego four time, not two. Also to Juan’s uncle Bernardino.
To be fair, the painting of St.Gianna looks sort of like an amateur water color. That can\’t be the final version, can it?
I spoke to someone who was at the dedication and he told me the shrine paintings were extremely well done and looked fantastic. Since he has seen them, I’m inlcined to believe him.