Holy Spirit
These five sacramental mosaics were designed for the people of Holy Spirit Church, and they began in conversation with Father James Morgan. His vision was to give new expression to traditional thematic imagery in a way that felt both contemporary and genuinely meaningful. An abiding sense of beauty — one that will endure and support this liturgical community for years to come — remained central to everything we did together.
The mosaics also proved pivotal to the larger renovation: their placement helped bring a traditional sense of a gothic cross floorplan to a church that was originally built “in the round,” with a square plan. The five themes chosen are the chalice and cross, the lamb, the loaves and fishes, the pelican, and divine mercy.
I was inspired by the words of John Paul II in his letter to artists: “May your many different paths all lead to that infinite Ocean of Beauty where wonder becomes awe, exhilaration, unspeakable joy.” I wanted to offer an expression of faith that is both intimate and communal for the lives of this faith community.
And because these mosaics are passageways in the floors — please walk on them. Or dance, sing, jump, or quietly pass by, knowing that the One who was born Emmanuel loves you.
On the making
The mosaics were created at Mosaika Studio in Montreal, Canada, in traditional tumbled vitreous smalti — glass. Every piece was individually chosen, cut, and shaped by hand with glass cutters, nippers, and pliers. This is excruciatingly precise and yet intuitive and responsive work. On a good day, twelve square inches may be completed. On a bad day, one or more previous days’ work is wiped away and begun anew.
The five images
The Chalice and the Cross — the Crux Immissa — recalls the sacrament of the Eucharist. This cross repeats throughout the mosaics.
The Lamb is a traditional symbol for the Paschal Lamb and Christ’s followers.
The Loaves and Fishes refer to the miracles of Christ, and in particular the feeding of the five thousand and more.
The Pelican is an early Church symbol of atonement. The pelican is said to willingly wound herself to feed her young with her own blood.
The Divine Mercy, located in the chapel, grew from a conversation my colleague at Augustana University, Dr. David O’Hara, had while visiting St. Paul’s Convent in Lavrion, Greece. There he spoke with Sister Theodoti, who told him: “Mercy is everything to us: forgiveness, help, enlightenment.” Those words stayed with me.
For this image I used lilies — associated with Mary and Easter — for help. Two turtle doves, recalling the dedication in the Temple, for enlightenment. A crown of thorns for mercy. And a heart — originally drawn by my daughter Kena, at age four — for forgiveness: the idea of leaving confession with the pure heart of a child. And the Hebrew word YAH, the unutterable name of God.
Many thanks to the members of Holy Spirit and the architects at TSP for inviting me into this wonderful project. I am truly honored.
