Details from some of the Stations of the Cross at Our Lady of Victory/Saint Joseph Church, Rochester, New York. (Sorry, but I do not know the name of the painter.)
When we walk without the Cross, when we build without the Cross, and when we profess Christ without the Cross, we are not disciples of the Lord. We are worldly, we are bishops, priests, cardinals, Popes, but not disciples of the Lord.” – Pope Francis
(Click on pictures for sharper images)
Tags: Devotional Images, Liturgical art
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Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
1Cor. 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Imagine that: Pope Francis’ first homily as pope
penetrates hearts. Whose hearts? Those of bishops,
priests, cardinals and popes.
Who would want the title and the office without
the cross? Who would want the Christian life and
Christian service without Christ’s cross
and his own?
Let us confidently pray all of us hear Pope Francis’
penetrating words as we silently meditate upon
these Images of our Savior and his redeeming cross.
Thank you, Bernie, for both the Lord’s stations
and his Vicar’s words. They help us reflect on discipleship.
AMEN!
John Nenry Newmsn in his 1847 novel LOSS and GAIN
wrote:
” Individuals may display a touching gentleness,
or a conscientiousness which demands our
reverence; still, till they have faith, they have not
the foundation, and their superstructure will fall.
They will not be blessed, they will effect nothing
in religious matters, till they begin by an unreserved
act of faith in the Word of God…; till they go out of
themselves; til they cease to make something within
them their standard; til the oblige their will to perfect
what reason leaves sufficient, indeed but incomplete….”
Pope Francis knows this!
May he lead all of us to authentic conversion;
beginning with Church leaders.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Thank you Bernie for posting this again. It is so good to reflect again on the authentic words of Pope Francis and the Stations of the Cross from Our Lady of Victory/St.Joseph’s Church Downtown.
Pope Francis’ words apply to all of us.
While watching Pope Francis’ Ordinary Public Consistory for New Cardinals (2-14-2015), I couldn’t help but think of all the men, women, boys, and girls who are being crucified, beheaded, shot and beheaded, or buried alive for not renouncing their faith and standing with Jesus Christ, in Syria, Iraq, Libya, and other countries where Militant Islamic Extremists have a stronghold. Additionally, Christians are also being enslaved and used in human trafficking for not renouncing their faith and standing with Jesus Christ, particularly women and girls for sex slaves, which is probably a worse fate.
Red is the color of all these Christian disciples (Martyrdom) for Love of Jesus Christ and His Cross.
Whether by Dry Martyrdom or Wet Martyrdom, we are all asked to be Disciples of Jesus Christ and His Cross. God give us all the Grace and Love we require to do so!
Thank you Dominick for your comments, including scripture and a quote from John Henry Newman, reminding us that Christ is the Wisdom and the Power of God.
Thanks for posting these, Bernie. I’ve long admired this set of artwork at OLV. Even if you don’t know the artist, do you have any idea of the history surrounding these stations, the age &c? They are really quite interesting. The artist chose to make all the depicted scenes very medieval in clothing and soldiers’ armament; it’s anachronistic of course, but deliberately so and quite consistent. It also doesn’t show up in your pictures, but the plane of each painting actually tilts downward toward the viewer–this makes them easier to view when you are standing below them. I think to accomplish this, they are actually set somewhat *into* the wall.
Has anyone ever documented the architecture and artwork at OLV and documented/explained the history allegory throughout? I’m sure there is a lot people overlook. For instance, I think there are two stained glass windows that include “wounded pelican” motifs, something which was much better universally understood in the 19th century than it is by people today. As successive generations become less and less classically educated, we lose our appreciation for some of the nuance, thought, and message present.
Many churches whose buildings have historical or artistic value often have available a handout with pertinent facts regarding the history of the parish including the art and architecture of the church building. I do not know if Our Lady of Victory/Saint Joseph has such a handout. I did chat with a staff member at OLV when I was taking these pictures. The history of the church is quite interesting. He told me the name of the artist of the stations has been lost at the parish but is probably recoverable by anyone willing to take time to peruse the Rochester newspapers for a specific time period during which they were installed.