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Novena to the Sacred Heart
Day Eight: Chapel of Our Lady
Use the audio player in the menu below to listen to today's reflection. If you prefer, you can find a text version of the reflection and prayer at this link.
When you're ready, scroll down or use the down arrow on your keyboard to learn more about today's featured mosaic.
The mosaics in the Chapel of Our Lady were the very first commissioned for the new Cathedral Basilica: they were commissioned in 1912 and installed in 1915. The tiles for this new mosaic were manufactured by the Tiffany Company in New York, following the plans of the Italian architect Aristide Leonori.
Unlike the neo-Byzantine and Art Deco designs that adorn much of the Cathedral Basilica, these mosaics (and those in the nearby opposite All Saints Chapel) are done in slightly more subdued and understated Italian style. But the subtlety of these mosaics makes them no less beautiful!
Scenes of the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Presentation, the Assumption, and the Coronation of Mary elevate the space in a quiet, colorful way and challenge us to imitate Our Lady’s extraordinary faith and humility.
Click on each image to take a closer look!
Did you know?
During his 1999 Papal Visit, Pope St. John Paul II stopped by the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, where he spent time in prayer in the Chapel of Our Lady.
This moment, perhaps the most significant in the history of the local Church here in St. Louis, inspired a renewed interest in Evangelization that continues across the Archdiocese of St. Louis to this day.
CREDITS
Today's Guide: Michele Hopkins is a parishioner at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. She and her husband John have great love for the beauty, sacred music, reverent liturgy, and warm community that are hallmarks of our Mother Church.
Image of full chapel (slide 2) courtesy of John C. Guenther.
Details of chapel mosaics by Cori Nations Photography.
Images of JP II from the Archdiocesan Archives.
Today's Guide: Michele Hopkins is a parishioner at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. She and her husband John have great love for the beauty, sacred music, reverent liturgy, and warm community that are hallmarks of our Mother Church.
Image of full chapel (slide 2) courtesy of John C. Guenther.
Details of chapel mosaics by Cori Nations Photography.
Images of JP II from the Archdiocesan Archives.
