Our Lady Of Lourdes - Eucharistic Chapel Art Work

The Art of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel

The Adoring Angles

Gold Angel Painting Pictures of angels are used in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel as a way of inspiring adoration, rather than to have works of art, which could take the focus away from Christ Truly present in the Eucharist. The three lovely acrylic paintings of angels, hanging in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel were done by parishioner Karen Onofrio. These three angels are derivative works from Benozzo Gozolli's frescos of "Adoring Angels" in the Chapel of the Magi, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, in Florence, Italy. The face of the angel dressed in gold is a derivative of Fra Angelico's angel face in "The Resurrection", located in the Dominican Priory of San Marco, Florence, Italy.

Blue Angel Painting Each angel is placed under an arc of light in the Chapel; there are three angels in honor of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A Blue arch surrounds each angel to complement the shape and color of the stained glass windows in the Church. The color of the garments of each angel-burgundy, royal blue, and gold--were chosen to match the palette used in the stained glass windows, and bring warmth and light into the Chapel. The background behind each angel is in color harmony with the gray/rose stone that surrounds the entrance to the Chapel. The faces of the angels are painted in colors lighter than flesh tones to remind us that they are spirits of light. They are framed in burnished gold to match the doors of the tabernacle and to bring visual unity between the angel paintings and the tabernacle. Karl Christopher of "Frameworks " helped with the selection and installation of the paintings.

Burgundy Angel Painting The angels, kneeling in prayer, are turned to face the tabernacle in adoration, helping us focus our attention on the Tabernacle. There is a progression of stance (side view, three-quarter, and full face) in the angels, so that no matter which angel you look at, their gaze moves your attention to the Tabernacle. They are painted outside the arches, looking down directly toward the Tabernacle, as if looking into the holiness of this space. They are not crowding us out of the space; they are inviting us to join them with the heavenly choirs of angels in praise of Christ. The reverence and prayerfulness of these angels is meant to inspire our meditation in the intimate space of our Chapel.

The Last Supper

After the Adoring Angels were painted, Msgr. Flanagan thought that a painting of The Last Supper behind the Tabernacle would brighten the Chapel and help to focus our thoughts on the Eucharist by depicting Christ and the apostles right after the moment when Christ holds up the bread in His hands and declares, "This is My Body." What is the reaction of the apostles to this statement? From discussions with Msgr. Flanagan, the following painting evolved.

Three blue arches represent the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christ is under the center arch, with 3 apostles on each side under a separate arch, again representing the Trinity. The arches unify this painting with the Adoring Angels on the adjacent wall and the colorful stained glass windows in the church. This painting is framed in burnished gold to bring unity between the doors of the tabernacle and the angel paintings. Karl Christopher of ‘Frameworks' helped with the frame selection and installed the paintings.

This intimate view of Christ and 6 of the 12 apostles allows us to see the emotional expressions on the apostles faces as they react to His statement, "This is My Body." Christ looks directly at us, inviting us to join into communion with Him. Christ, the central axis of the apostles, is in the center of the painting; as the head of the Church his head is the highest one in the painting. He is the Lamb of God, clothed in white. His gown blends into the tablecloth, as he becomes the meal, the "bread and body" that will nourish all of us each time we receive communion. His blue mantle represents purity of heart.

Can you identify with the apostles as they react differently to Christ's statement, "This is My Body"? On Christ's right hand are John, Peter, and Thomas. John, who deeply loves Christ is clothed in red for divine love. His hand is on his heart while he embraces this holy moment. Peter grasps John's shoulder, expressing his intensity of thought and keen interest in what is happening. Peter's yellow cloak signifies both his upcoming denial of Christ and later, revealed faith. Thomas has a different response. He strokes his chin and questions, "What is this all about?"

On Christ's left hand are Andrew, James, and Bartholomew. Andrew, younger brother of Peter, rests his chin on his hand while contemplating the moment, lost in his own thoughts. James, older brother of John, is irritated that Bartholomew has fallen asleep. He is elbowing him to "wake up" and not miss this important moment. Bartholomew‘s head is cradled in his right hand as he has unintentionally drifted off to sleep after eating a good meal.

The position of the arms and hands of the apostles lead the eye across the painting as if following a wavy line. This is a visual sign of the unity of which Christ spoke when he said, "I am the vine, and you are the branches." The white tablecloth occupies the lower portion of the painting so as to surround the Tabernacle that sits in front of it with light. The reaction of the apostles to Christ saying, "This is My Body." is meant to inspire us to reflect on our own relationship with Christ and the Eucharist.

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	The Adoring Angles
	Pictures of angels are used in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel as a way of inspiring adoration, rather than to have works of art, which could take the focus away from Christ Truly present in the Eucharist. The three lovely acrylic paintings of angels, hanging in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel were done by parishioner Karen Onofrio. These three angels are derivative works from Benozzo Gozolli's frescos of "Adoring Angels" in the Chapel of the Magi, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, in Florence, Italy. The face of the angel dressed in gold is a derivative of Fra Angelico's angel face in "The Resurrection", located in the Dominican Priory of San Marco, Florence, Italy.

	Each angel is placed under an arc of light in the Chapel; there are three angels in honor of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A Blue arch surrounds each angel to complement the shape and color of the stained glass windows in the Church. The color of the garments of each angel-burgundy, royal blue, and gold--were chosen to match the palette used in the stained glass windows, and bring warmth and light into the Chapel. The background behind each angel is in color harmony with the gray/rose stone that surrounds the entrance to the Chapel. The faces of the angels are painted in colors lighter than flesh tones to remind us that they are spirits of light. They are framed in burnished gold to match the doors of the tabernacle and to bring visual unity between the angel paintings and the tabernacle. Karl Christopher of "Frameworks " helped with the selection and installation of the paintings.

	The angels, kneeling in prayer, are turned to face the tabernacle in adoration, helping us focus our attention on the Tabernacle. There is a progression of stance (side view, three-quarter, and full face) in the angels, so that no matter which angel you look at, their gaze moves your attention to the Tabernacle. They are painted outside the arches, looking down directly toward the Tabernacle, as if looking into the holiness of this space. They are not crowding us out of the space; they are inviting us to join them with the heavenly choirs of angels in praise of Christ. The reverence and prayerfulness of these angels is meant to inspire our meditation in the intimate space of our Chapel.