Traditional Catholic Architecture Is Alive And Flourishing!

There is a new wind blowing within the architectural designs of Church buildings in Catholicism. It is the restoration of the Church’s ancient and traditional appreciation of our Eucharistic celebration as an act of transcendence towards a deeper understanding of the Divine. New church buildings and sanctuaries are undergoing a restoration of traditional applications of classical art and architectural motifs, which thankfully call our liturgical prayer to an awesome appreciation of the mysteries of salvation history. Time and space again are reconciled through the architecture of this shrine that loudly calls the worshiper to metaphysical and ontological beliefs that go beyond modern presentations of secular humanism, towards an ascent into the sacred mystery of God’s existence.

The liturgical expression of the Church at prayer is an action that incorporates the most sacred mysteries of our beliefs and rituals into a human expression and human attempt to worship God. One of the remarkable things that I have noticed recently while attending the celebration of the Mass is the fact that Catholic priests and the faithful are increasingly willing to participate in a deeper manner of prayerful and sacred celebrations. Consideration once again is made in our Catholic Churches to utilize not only better communal participation in the Sacred Mystery, but there is a restored feeling of “sacred” taking place with the use of formerly exiled rituals such as chanting and incensation of the Altar. Catholics are once again being Catholics…with all of the signs, symbols and rituals that accompany our rich theological and liturgical traditions. Perhaps this rejuvenization of Catholic ritual is a sign that modern believers are beginning to understand the eschatological and transcendent nature of the Pascal Mystery. Perhaps, it is better catechesis and education of our Catholic faithful about the ritual foundations of our sacred liturgies, or finally perhaps it is just a deeper sense on the part of humanity that there is a more significant and deeper intensity to the meaning and purpose of our lives.

Perhaps after decades of institutional and architectural vandalism Catholics both clerical and laity together are taking a retrospective look at the rich historical, social and artistic heritage that is found in our Catholic Churches. Just a generation ago…Catholic Churches were…so to speak…modernized…or in my estimation, sanitized of there ornate signs and symbols of Catholic sacraments and beliefs. Today, thankfully there is a movement to restore Catholic art and design to its appropriate pedestal that integrates not only form and function, but ritual and sacred traditions as well.

My own Catholic parish, which was built post- Vatican II, was void of any devotional shrines to the Blessed Mother. Recently, racks of votive candles were installed, so Catholics would offer prayers for the Blessed Mother’s intercession before God. There is a resurgence of appreciation towards the rituals of the past, with a healthy inclusion of 21 century theology happening in our Catholic Churches. Not only does this resurgence apply to older generation Catholics, but is prominent among generations X, Y and Z…as they explore the mysteries of Catholicism through a perspective and appreciation of it’s deep spiritual heritage.

John XXIII famously called upon the Holy Spirit in the Second Vatican Council to “open the windows,” of the Church. During the decades that followed, not only were the windows opened, but treasured parts of our Catholic identity were tossed out the open windows as well. It is refreshing to know that modern Catholic artists, architects and believers are willing and able to integrate the finest points of our artistic and cultural past into living examples of contemporary Catholic worship. Proving again and again the true transcendent nature of our sacramental and theological beliefs in a Triune God.

Architecture in Communion, by Dr. Steven Schloeder is one book that should constitute required reading by seminary students, clergy and laity throughout the United States. Dr. Schloeder expertly develops the road map for the implementation of the Second Vatican Council’s direction of sacred art and architecture in the United States Catholic Church. Very often texts on Catholic Church art and architecture unfortunately advocate a complete disassociation with the traditional and functional roles art and architecture have played in the history of Catholicism. Dr. Schloeder however advocated a deeper study and appreciation of the heritage of signs and symbols that constitute sacred art as the cornerstones of appreciation for the proper celebration of the Church’s heritage and most importantly its Sacraments as the primary purpose for designing sacred and liturgical spaces.

What is remarkable about this treatise is the close association the author provides to the theological and catechical purposes sacred art and architecture have played and should continue to play in the design and implementation of our Catholic Churches as we develop into the twenty-first century. The examples that are highlighted in the book are tangible examples of artistic and architectural continuity that compliments the role and purpose of the Church, as the sacred place for the celebration of the Eucharist, the Sacraments and the gathering of the People of God…in God’s Sacred House.
Less and less frequently are Catholic Churches in the United States built as a temple of worship devoted to the glory of God. Most often they are built in anticipation of a “multi-purpose,” space that fulfills social, communal and liturgical functions for a nascent parish. However, Dr. Schloeder’s Architecture in Communion is illustrative of the fact that we need to return to a working premise that the church building is primarily a place for God’s dwelling and our worship of the Deity. If indeed we want to implement the deeper and most transcendent mysteries of our Eucharistic belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, our Churches should reflect this transcendental and mysterious theology in a similar manner. Dr. Schloeder illustrates through a historical and theological perspective the goal of incorporating ancient sign and symbols into a vibrant and living 21century Church that actively worships through an appreciation of our artistic and architectural past, while cultivating a culture of artistic expression and adaptation in our contemporary parish communities. Most poignantly throughout the book, the author shows us that in addition to being mortar and brick construction, the Catholic Church is really a magnificent assembly of “living stones,” namely the Catholic faithful that join together to celebrate the Paschal Mystery in monuments of living faith that is best expressed by the axiom,”Lex Orandi, Lex credendi.”
Architecture in Communion was published in 1998 by Ignatius Press. While the book was published over 10 years ago, this reviewer strongly feels it has not yet been fully appreciated or yet understood by neither the ecclesial community nor the artistic and architectural subcultures. However, this book as previously indicated should constitute a required text for every Catholic that wants to glorify God in our Catholic art and architecture. The historical illustrations coupled with the pragmatic recommendations for designing a 21 century Domus Ecclessiae are critical insights that hopefully ignite Catholic building professionals, parishioners and clergy a renewed vision of Catholic art and architecture as envisioned by Vatican II. The interpretation of Vatican II’s desire to revive a dynamic and qualitative artistic movement in the Church reflects clearly the artistic and theological continuity that is sometimes missing in our liturgical design and implementation.
Architecture in Communion deserves a place of prominence in every Catholics’ theological resources library.