Mosaics shed light on mysteries
Local
The Shrine of Our Blessed Lady in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral has been enhanced by the installation of new mosaic artwork featuring the Mysteries of Light of the Rosary.
The five mosaic panels are situated beneath the Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary represented in five panels which were part of the original Shrine made in London and installed and blessed in 1954.
Seven decades later, Murals by Jericho, based in Illinois, USA, were commissioned by the Adelaide Cathedral parish to undertake the new artwork which was blessed by Archbishop Patrick O’Regan on May 24.
The Mysteries of Light invite contemplation of Christ’s public ministry between his baptism and his passion.
In his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae to inaugurate the Year of the Rosary in 2002, Pope John Paul II gave the Luminous Mysteries to the Church. Since then they have taken their place in the recitation of the Holy Rosary along with the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries.
“In these mysteries the reality of Christ is made present to us and we come to know that He is the light of the world,” Archbishop O’Regan explained in his homily.
“These ‘newer’ mysteries deepen our understanding of the life of Jesus after His infancy, childhood, and hidden life in Nazareth. They help us contemplate the Jesus who taught, preached, healed, and spread the Gospel.
“Certainly the whole mystery of Christ is a mystery of light. He is the ‘light of the world’ (Jn 8:12). Yet this truth emerges in a special way during the years of his public life, when he proclaims the Gospel of the Kingdom.
“Mary knows there are many things in our lives that are dangerous and terrifying, and that we need someone to turn to in times of suffering and dread.
“She offers us the same comfort and love she gave to Jesus. She tells us to run to her as fast as Jesus did, so fast that we don’t even think about what we wear or how we go, just so we get there. What are you waiting for?”
The five Mysteries of Light are the Baptism in the Jordan, the Wedding Feast of Cana, the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, the Transfiguration and the Institution of the Eucharist.
Andrew Hattermann from Murals by Jericho thanked the Adelaide Archdiocese for “entrustuing us to create these interesting pieces”.
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