The Joy of Rediscovery

The things that surround you most often are the things you're least likely to see. Next time you enter a church, look up! Think about the journey of the art around you.

Uniting a love of art history, liturgical aesthetics, and the human instinct to discover meaning in the things around us, these lectures urge the listener/viewer to not just look, but to see.

The Splendor of the Sanctuary

At the request of the Women's Club at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, this lecture was composed to delve deeper into the story behind the content of Cathedral Sanctuary stained glass windows.

These windows are least seen because of their location away from the general congregation. Their composition is very particular, featuring larger images to allow for brighter panes, so as to better illuminate the central focus of the Cathedral: the altar and the tabernacle.

The story of how the subject matter of the windows was decided upon, through persistent correspondence between Monsignor Moylan and Henry Willett, is as colorful, fascinating, and symbolic as the images themselves.

The Splendor of the Sanctuary builds on the information presented in The Jewels of the Cathedral book and lecture.

“Like so many of us, Monsignor Moylan didn’t know what he wanted.

Unlike us, his indecision was holding back production of four sets of 20-foot high windows on either side of the Cathedral Sanctuary.

Meanwhile, over 600 miles away, Henry Willet was in an unfortunate position familiar to many contracted artists. He needed to make his patron happy. He needed to elicit a decision without frustrating a very powerful man. He needed to maintain the momentum necessary to create these resplendent windows.

...

And the crux of the problem was, quite literally, the End of the World.”

Hail, Mary:
A journey through iconic representations of the Virgin Mother in art and history

“Hail, Mary...”

"A little over 2,000 years ago, there lived a woman, little more than a girl, who embodied attributes of grace, humility, awe, wisdom, boldness, courage, and love. To this day, she has a profound effect on those who hear her story.

And for the past 2,000 years, her story has been told, through scripture, through tradition, through prayer, through image, all of which foster a deeper understanding of this remarkable woman and the impact she has on this world.

Every good Catholic knows about The Virgin Mary, whether she plays the role of favorite intercessor, or just a beautiful woman in blue. This morning, we will take an insightful journey through the iconic representation of The Virgin Mother, in art and in scripture, and meditate on her presence in our own lives."

Follow her story, in art and history and tradition, through:

Presentations:

Boulder, Colorado:
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

Atlanta, Georgia:
Private Faith Group Presentation

Atlanta, Georgia:
Rosary Group Presentation

Andover, Massachusetts:
St. Augustine Parish

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
Old St. Augustine Parish

Atlanta, Georgia:
Christ the King Cathedral Parish

The Jewels of the Cathedral

An examination and illumination of the amazing windows of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, Georgia.

“Of course, in all our effort and straining for correct iconography, we must not forget that all the subject matter has to be designed so as to lend itself to the crowning glory of this window, which is in its jeweled perfection. To obtain this glorious ministry of color I have to manipulate the groupings and figures so that my limpid blues can flow properly and the deep rubies break forth in all their brilliance in just the right places.... ”

— Henry Lee Willet in a letter to Miss May Haverty

Book Introduction:

There are treasures to be found in sacred spaces; works of magnificent beauty created by artisans expressly to bring you closer to the God you come to worship.

When you walk into the Cathedral of Christ the King, you are surrounded by carefully executed craftsmanship that will strike you with awe and wonder, reminders of the power, benevolence, and gifts of God. Before examination, the windows of the Cathedral are a beautiful accent to its French Gothic architecture. The serene blue tones on the west side walls and the warmer red tones on the east side fill its interior with color and beauty. But when we look closer, we find "jeweled perfection," a fusion of artisanship and prayer, color and light, that make manifest the story of Christ our King.

With 20 intricately detailed major windows and over 25 minor windows, the artisans of Willet Glass Studios in Philadelphia created a custom visual history of Christ, his Church, and this Cathedral. The windows combine church doctrine, history, Tradition, and legend in the truly stunning medium of painted lead glass. From the ring that St. Joseph prepares to slip onto the Virgin's finger, to the sons of Christ the King's own Kane Family serving at the altar, to the red and gold halo of Christ Pantocrator in the main rose window that replicates the halo of Christ Crucified in the sculpture below, the details of these images provide access points to our story, our history, and our faith.

We invite you to look more closely at these windows, extraordinary and singular artworks that light your way in this house of God. Your excitement of discovery when you examine the stories told here might also be a prayer to Christ the King.

APPLICATIONS

Full-Color Guidebook

Presentation to the Cathedral of Christ the King Window Restoration Committee

Presentation to the Cathedral of Christ the King Major Donors