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OLM
Parish Reporter IN Rome
Visting Churches - Baroque period - The Gesu & Chiesa Nuova
Gesu
Facade & Altar of S. Ignatius 
Hopefully, if you saw the question in the OLM Church
bulletin, Brother Draper was able to fill you in on some of the details
of this magnificent church with all of its art, Gold and splendor. The
Gesu is one of the formidable talked about Churches in Rome. Built in the
16th Century [c.1568-1584], it epitomizes Counter Reformation Art and Architecture
and was copied in these details in many churches in the West.
The dominance of decoration and gold in this
style is a real counterpoint to the previous churches featured on this
site from the 4th Century. They also show the departure from the Liturgy
centered decoration of Churches based on the worship of the community at
Mass and reflect the devotion of the people of God as it shifted to saints,
other prayer forms and decorating. The art is magnificent and it details
the day in which the church was built but again it does not as in the 4th
Century churches mirror the Heavenly Liturgy of the Faithful but rather
their piety and devotion as it was practiced and as the artists of the
day perceived it. Less Scriptural in basis and more life and devotion.
Interesting to note that as usual, Fr. Cioffi pointed out that the rooms
of S. Ignatius reflect more his intention in living over the church - utter
simplicity and humbleness. Seems to be a quality of life in religion and
faith that the intentions of founders and even of Jesus get overshadowed
by the zeal of followers to both glorify and pay respects to the inspiring
image and person. Living out the message is most of the times more difficult
than espousing it in the first place.
Chiesa Nuova - S. Philip Neri - 16th Century
Typical Dome above Center point of Church - Baroque
The transition in art from the 4th Century utilization
of the images and influences of the Liturgy of the Mass to the glorious
depiction of heaven and the saints is noticeable in the Baroque churches.
Faith always reflects life and society. Not that there was any less devotion
but the depictions seem to mirror the fact that the Liturgy and the Sacraments
were further and further taken from the people. When the people turn to
images in the churches they are given the view of the "good life". There
is somewhat of a loss of what we are as people of Faith. The message of
the Gospel removed from its liturgical expression at Mass and in the Scriptures
yields different piety than what we see a resurgence of in our day with
the Liturgy and Sacraments in our own language and our attempts to recapture
signs and symbols through our acting and praying these actions of Faith.
It might be a reason for the seeming iconoclastic time after Vatican II
when the churches were stripped of Statues and other adornments which now
seem to be "yearned for" by our Faith. The challenge we face is not unlike
that of other ages. We must living on the cusp of the Third Millennium
strive to make and find Art, Music and other forms of our cultural life
and help them reflect what we believe and how we live that belief.
Watch these pages for more intrigue on the LIFE AND STUDIES
IN ROME of FATHER JOHN.