Rome of the West: December 2007

Monday, December 31, 2007

Photos of a Christmas Display

MACY'S DEPARTMENT STORE, in downtown Saint Louis, has a charming window exhibit for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Theme of this display is "Yes, Virgina, there is a Saint Nicholas of Myra." Or something like that.

Macy's Department Store, in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - Window Christmas display 1

Macy's Department Store, in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - Window Christmas display 2

Macy's Department Store, in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - Window Christmas display 3

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Coronation of Statue of Christ the King

J.B. Powers has a brief article on the Shrine of Christ the King in Chicago, stating that it was "one of the more sublime ceremonies I have ever attended".

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Photos of Saint Joseph Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri

HERE ARE PHOTOS of Saint Joseph Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri. This is the southernmost church of the Archdiocese, in Perry County, and is 92 road miles south by south east of downtown Saint Louis.

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri, USA - exterior

From a church brochure is this history:

"During the [1820s] immigrants from the Baden area of Germany came and settled in this part of Missouri. Priest from 'The Barrens' (St. Mary's Seminary in Perryville) were the first to see their spiritual needs. Father John Odin, C.M., became the first pastor in 1828. Mr. W. Joseph Schnurbusch was a leader in building the first church made of logs. The church was given the name St. Joseph, in his honor.

"The first church, built in 1828, was used for 12 years; then the second, called the Rock Church, was constructed. It was 600 feet north of the present church. In 1881, the cornerstone was laid and in 1884, the present church was completed. The pastor, Rev. Francis Krieger oversaw the construction of the church, the rectory in 1904, and the convent in 1917. He was pastor of St. Joseph for 30 years. He installed a Pfeiffer organ (Opus 7), three bells, named Joseph, Cecelia and Elizabeth. Later for the 100th anniversary, Emil Frye added stained-glass windows.

"The church was again renovated in the fall of 1998. A new marble sanctuary was installed, lights from the 1950s were restored and hung, angel artwork is in place, with future artwork being added over time. The Parish family lavishly decorates the church at Christmas and Easter. The parish currently has 240 registered families. The parish is definitely alive with the Spirit!"

The parish's first pastor, Jean-Marie Odin, of the Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Vincentians or Lazarists, had a remarkable career. He was rector of the seminary and college in Perryville, founded schools, was a missionary to the Indians, and as Apostolic Vicar, was a defender of Catholics and the Church in the Republic of Texas. He later became Bishop of Galveston and Archbishop of New Orleans, and attended the First Vatican Council.

Apple Creek in a tiny, unincorporated community, originally known as Schnurbusch.

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri, USA - rectory

The rectory. Its interior, like the church, is beautifully decorated.

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri, USA - view of nave with Christmas decorations 2

Decorations for the Christmas season.

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri, USA - crucifix

Detail of the high altar.

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri, USA - baptismal font

The baptismal font. Here you can see the polished marble floor.

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri, USA - Station of the Cross

XIII^th Station: Jesus is taken down from the Cross.

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri, USA - pipe organ

The pipe organ.

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri, USA - outdoor Way of the Cross

Next to the church is an outdoor Way of the Cross, added in the late 1990s. The via doloroso leads us down a steep path, which takes us to the bottom of a sink-hole, where a surprise awaits us.

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri, USA - outdoor shrine

At the bottom is Our Lady of Saint Joseph Shrine and the Schnurbusch Karst Window. The shrine features a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title of Our Lady of Grace, an altar, and amphitheater.

There is an invisible world beneath our feet, and the collapse of a cave roof allows us to see a small portion of a hidden underground stream. A waterfall appears out of solid rock; and its water goes before the altar, under the stone bridge, and back into a cave.

'Karst topography' is a land shaped by copious water flowing through soluble rock, and leads to such landforms as caves, springs, and sinkholes. According to Wikipedia, "Some areas of karst topography, such as southern Missouri and northern Arkansas in the USA, are underlain by thousands of caves"; Perry County has at least 650 known caves.

The water here keeps the same cool temperature all year, and so this shrine ought to be delightfully cool in the summertime.

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri, USA - outdoor shrine waterfall

According to the parish history:

"In 1857 Rev. Joseph Becker installed stone steps to the cave spring so drinking water could be carried to the rectory via buckets and neck yoke. Later a water line was laid so water could be pumped to the rectory.

"In 1883, Rev. Francis Krieger had a dam built and installed a hydraulic ram, which brought the water to the rectory by its own power. This provided the water supply until 1927 when the present deep well was drilled.

"Father Michell Deck began development of the Shrine, behind the church, in the 1950s. Father George Schrammel added to it in 1971. parishioners did most of the stonework using foundations of old farm homes and barns in the community. An altar, bridge way and walkways add to the beauty of the shrine."

Address:
138 Saint Joseph Lane
Perryville, Missouri 63775

Friday, December 28, 2007

Francis Park, in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - snow and fog

Snow and fog in Francis Park, Saint Louis, Missouri. Photo taken December 17^th.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Photos of Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Church, in Saint Louis, Missouri

HERE ARE PHOTOS of Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Church, in the City of Saint Louis, Missouri. It is located about six highway miles northwest of downtown.

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - exterior

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - front door

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - cornerstone

A.M.D.G
A.D. JULII DIE 18, 1926
RITE ME POSUIT
RMUS. J. J. GLENNON D.D.
IN HONOREM
ST. ENGELBERTI
REV. A.J. VON BRUNN, PASTOR

Saint Engelbert parish existed from 1891 to 1941. Saint Elizabeth's is the result of a number of parish mergers.

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - nave 2

The church's magnificent interior.

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - altar 1

Mosaics here on the high altar and reredoes include Α and Ω (alpha and omega), the Eucharistic pelican symbol, the Priest-King Melchisidech, and Abraham, prevented by an angel from sacrificing his son. These are types, signs, and prefigurements of Christ.

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - tabernacle 1

A closer view of the altar.

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - tabernacle

The tabernacle, with symbols of wheat and grapes.

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - mosaic

Closer view of a mosaic.

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - apse

The vault of heaven, painted on the top of the apse. Viewers are requested to overlook the water damage, or even better, send a check for its repainting to the parish's address, shown below!

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - Christ the Priest

Christ is here shown as Priest and King.

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - Joseph's altar

Altar of Saint Joseph.

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - statue of Saint Martin de Porres

Saint Martin de Porres (1579-1639) of Lima, Peru. "He excused the faults of others. He forgave the bitterest injuries, convinced that he deserved much severer punishments on account of his own sins. He tried with all his might to redeem the guilty; lovingly he comforted the sick; he provided food, clothing and medicine for the poor; he helped, as best he could, farm laborers and Negroes, as well as mulattoes, who were looked upon at that time as akin to slaves: thus he deserved to be called by the name the people gave him: 'Martin of Charity.'"

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - view to side of nave

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - stained glass window 1

The windows are by the Emil Frei Stained Glass Company, founded in Saint Louis in 1898, and still operating. According to the company web site, "All of our windows are original works of art. We have no catalogs to choose from and we make no copies."

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - station of the cross 2

Stations of the Cross.

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - pipe organ 2

A view of the pipe organ and choir loft.

Holy water font.

Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - Saint Louis Catholic Academy

The church's school is St. Louis Catholic Academy.

Address:
4330 Shreve Avenue
Saint Louis, Missouri 63115

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Saint Gabriel the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - crèche

Crèche, at Saint Gabriel the Archangel Church, in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Nativity scene, in cliff face, in Pacific, Missouri, USA

Nativity scene, in Pacific, Missouri.

Our Lady of the Snows Shrine, in Belleville, Illinois, USA - dove

Gloria in altissimis Deo et in terra pax in hominibus bonae voluntatis.
Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will.
— Luke 2:14

Photo taken at the Way of Lights at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri, USA - view of nave with Christmas decorations

Saint Joseph Church, in Apple Creek, Missouri, decorated for Christmas

May everyone
have a
very
Merry
CHRISTMAS

Photos d'église de Sainte-Geneviève, dans la ville de Sainte-Geneviève, Missouri

VOICI QUELQUES PHOTOS d'église de Sainte-Geneviève, dans la ville de Sainte-Geneviève, Missouri, aux Etats-Unis. La ville est située près du centre des Etats-Unis, et est 102 kilomètres de sud (par la route) de la cité de Saint-Louis, Missouri.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - exterior

Quand j'ai vu cette grande flèche, j'ai pensé que « Ceci ne peut pas être mon église, parce que elle est trop distante ». Mais c'est une église grande dans une petite ville.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - nave wide

Une vue panoramique de la nef.

Sainte-Geneviève était la première colonie européenne permanente dans ce qui est maintenant l'état du Missouri. La France a fondé la ville après 1722. Ses premiers habitants n'ont pas été satisfaits avec la vie difficile du fermier : plutôt ils ont commercé avec les Indiens et d'autres colonies.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - sanctuary

Le sanctuaire.

En 1762, cette colonie est devenue sujet au roi de l'Espagne, mais il a maintenu sa langue et culture françaises.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - sanctuary 3

Le maître-autel.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - crucifix

Le crucifix, dans l'abside.

Les idées républicaines de la révolution n'étaient jamais populaires en cette ville, et ainsi elle est restée fidèle au roi et à l'église.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - altar

Une vue plus étroite du maître-autel.

Napoléon Bonaparte a vendu la colonie de la Louisiane aux Etats-Unis en 1803, qui a fait à Sainte-Geneviève une ville américaine.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - tabernacle

Le tabernacle du saint Sacrement.

Il serait romantique pour croire que Sainte-Geneviève est une enclave française dans les Etats-Unis, cependant, c'est une ville complètement américaine.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - pulpit

La chaire.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - chairs

L'église est dans l'archidiocèse de Saint-Louis.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - choir stalls

La chœur stalle.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - sanctuary 2

La Couronne d'Advent devant l'autel « versus populum ».

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - stained glass windows in transept

Un autel latéral dans le transept du sud.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - baptismal and holy water fonts

Le fonts baptismaux et cierge pascal.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - painting

Cette peinture de la « présentation de la Vierge dans le temple » a été donnée à l'église par Louis-Philippe I^er, roi du Français.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - reliquaries

Certaines des nombreuses reliques dans cette église.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - stained glass window detail

A LA MEMOIRE DE THEOPHILE
DUFOUR, ET DE JULIE, NÉE TESSEREAU
SON ÉPOUSE. R.I.P.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - stained glass window 1

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - stained glass window 2

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - stained glass window 3

Les vitraux.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - Mary's altar 2

L'autel de la Vierge.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - Sacred Heart altar

L'autel au Sacré-Cœur de Jésus.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - relic of the True Cross

Une relique de la sainte Croix.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - station of the cross

Le chemin de la Croix.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - side aisle

Une nef latérale.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - pipe organ

La tribune d'orgues.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - school

L'école primaire de l'église.

Sainte Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA - cemetery

Une rue à l'ouest de l'église est le cimetière. Enterrés ici sont la noblesse, les pauvres, les Indiens, et les esclaves nègre.

Adress:
49 Du Bourg Place
Sainte Genevieve, Missouri 63670