Posted on 05/24/2008 5:49:06 AM PDT by NYer
CHICAGO, May 23 IL-largest-monstrance
CHICAGO, May 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Saint Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church here will unveil what is believed to be the world's largest monstrance at 6 p.m. eastern time Saturday, May 31. A monstrance is a container that displays a consecrated Host (which Catholics believe is the body of Christ under the appearance of bread) for veneration. The monstrance will serve as focal point of the new Sanctuary of The Divine Mercy, to be built on the grounds of this inner city parish.
The gilded receptacle has taken sculptor Stefan Niedorezo two years to carve from linden wood using Renaissance methods. The iconic monstrance is nine feet tall and weighs 700 pounds. Malgorzata Sawczuk applied the gilding and serves as project conservator.
The monstrance depicts the Blessed Mother as the link between the old and new covenants. She stands over the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred container that held the stone tablets inscribed with the 10 Commandments. Mary is "clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars," as depicted in the Book of Revelation (Rev 11:19 and 12:1-2).
The unveiling takes place on the feast of the Visitation, where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth and found the supposedly barren woman pregnant with a son who would become John the Baptist, forerunner of Jesus (Lk 1:39-57). The public is invited to the ceremony, which will be televised live on EWTN, the worldwide Catholic television network; Catholic TV; and the Latin American TV station El Sembrador. Relevant Radio will provide U.S. coverage. Mass will be celebrated by Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago.
The vision for the sanctuary and monstrance began nine years ago when St. Stanislaus Kostka pastor Fr. Anthony Bus, CR, heard a call from Mary asking that he build the sanctuary. He wrote a book about his experience titled A Mother's Plea: Lifting the Veil in Sanctuary (Marian Press). The book, originally published in 2005, has been a popular title in Catholic book circles partly because of its apocalyptic theme. It has been updated this year with information on the painstaking effort to build the sanctuary.
Donations and proceeds from Fr. Bus's book financed sculpting the monstrance.
Following the unveiling, planners will begin raising funds to build the sanctuary. Estimated cost is between $15 million and $20 million.
Thank you!
Too often folks get caught up in scrutinizing every symbol. When Michaelangelo finished the Sistine Chapel, there was an uproar over the visible genitalia of the male figures and other artists were commissioned to cover the exposed areas. Now, centuries later, restorers have brought the images back to his original portrayal.
Thank you for posting the image and link!
You are welcome.
That looks breathtaking.
**from linden wood **
I thought these vessels needed to be of precious metal. Am I wrong?
Certainly I would guess at the minimum the luna must be gold (or silver); that’s the round vessel that actually holds the Host and fits into the monstrance. Linden wood does seem a bit too earthy/ethnic/casual for a monstrance, but maybe if it’s beautiful enough and done properly to accent the Host itself. The sculpture should not be the main attraction, it’s to draw the eye to the Host. If this picture here is the actual “monstrance” I’m not quite sure I feel it’s appropriate, but I’m not saying it breaks any specific rules. But yes, as you mention, Host must only be touched by precious metal.
“or to have her cradling the luna in her arms”
MarkOM, I think you have a nice idea there! It seems there are many theological issues, and symbolic issues, as well as artistic ones, that need to be very carefully evaluated and balanced. I’m not sure from the info so far if that’s been done.....
Sam,
I’m tempted to say, “Only in America!” Pizza man may have started this trend with his huge Ave Maria oratory in Florida, which (my memory may be wrong) has a six-foot monstrance, which at the time was supposed to be the “world’s largest”?
We are afraid to build skyscrapers now, so we’re building monstrances instead? There is something a bit Disneyland-ish about this.
I thought you three folks might be interested in a more detailed article on this story, explaining some background and the connection to Divine Mercy, “just FYI” —
http://www.thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=3184&PLID=73
Very interesting article that compliments the one above. Thank you for doing the research and posting the link! Most appreciated.
Follow-up on the actual event, with picture, just “FYI”:
“Towering Monstrance Unveiled” (May 31)
http://www.thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=3210&PLID=73
(How can the priest can do the Benediction if he can’t lift it?)
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