Encouraging the mission of priestly formation and future leadership in the Catholic Church in the United States.

Rohn and Associates Design, Inc. was proud to attend the dedication of the Casa Santa Maria containing the new home of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. (http://www.pnac.org/casa-santa-maria/about-casa-santa-maria/). This newly renovated villa will contain a Chapel for Priests taking part in this sabbatical program, which has been designed by our firm. Father Michael G. Wensing is the director of the sabbatical program and has been working for the past six months with Rolf and Kathy and our team of designers, including Monsignor Moroney.

Since its inception in 1971, the ICTE has provided the highest quality of sabbatical renewal to more than two thousand Priests, allowing them to revitalize their theological education in fulfillment of the Saint Paul’s invocation: “I remind you to rekindle the gift of faith that is within you.” (2 Tim 1:6). In order to continue this tradition of excellence, the Pontifical North American College is completing the renovation of the new Chapel of SAINT JOHN VIANNEY in its newly renovated home.

Rohn and Associates Design, Inc. painstakingly designed this sacred space so that the environment and all of its appointments reflect and encourage the mission of priestly formation. Among the highlights are a hand-carved oak statue of the Mary, Mother of Priest presenting the Christ Child for adoration, a Cosmatesque masterpiece based on a medieval Tabernacle from the Church of Santa Sabina on the Aventine and a hand painted mural with a gold-leafed reproduction of the Mosaic of the Cross, Vine and the Branches depicted in the ancient Church of San Clemente.

To help offset the cost of such an extensive renovation, our firm worked closely with the ICTE to develop a very successful fundraising campaign, including a custom-made brochure that helped raise funds for the project. Patrons were invited to make donations in their name or in memory of loved ones that would then proudly be displayed in the Chapel, and they did so with an astonishing selflessness. Rolf R. Rohn donated several items for the Chapel.


Rohn and Associates Design, Inc. was also pleased to help to sponsor the "Rector's Album” for the North American College’s Rector's Dinner on April 15th. The largest Rector’s Dinner to date, with close to 500 guests gathered at the Janiculum Hill seminary, the dinner honored Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and the Honorable Francis and Mrs. Kathleen Rooney with the annual Rector’s Award for their generous support in training seminarians for future leadership in the Catholic Church in the United States.
http://www.pnac.org/2010/04/rectors-dinner-words-of-gratitude-and-photos/

The dedication for the completed Chapel will be held in June 2010.

Courtyard photo courtesy of the Pontifical North American College

The most rewarding part of designing Sacred Art....

....after all, the best reward when completing a work of art in our studio is to be a part of the ministries of the Catholic Church through our art.
Recently we received a very nice letter from Father Don of The Capuchin Friars College in Papua New Guinea, San Damiano, in appreciation of the cross we designed for them in honor of their priests... we are very touched by his letter. Testimonies like this gives us the strength to continue focusing in our goals, one design at a time, in faith, supporting our beloved Church.

Dear Rolf & Francesca, Pace e bene! Happy Easter! A few days after your email arrived... I received a call from the builder saying that they needed to see the San Damiano stained-glass window. I have been very protective and cautious about the window and so it has been safely stored until it needed to be opened... So I rushed to where the window was being stored and they began to open the crate. Our vice-provincial was also here so he came along. The architect also happened to be here for a meeting and so he was there too for the grand opening.... When they finally got the crate opened and the crucifix was removed... a great, reverential hush came over everyone ... like in church or in a museum or something... it was really amazing. We were all awe-struck by the beauty of the window... I practically had to choke back the tears – I was overwhelmed. The beauty of the colors, the detail... it was as if we were all transported to the little hermitage of San Damiano in the 1200’s when Saint Francis first prayed there... It was a religious experience for all of us.... The builder says that he thinks that in about three weeks we will be at the half way mark. They would like to finish the project by September... They are not ready to place the window yet... I will keep you informed about that... When the whole chapel and other buildings are to be dedicated, I will let you all know... If you are anywhere in this part of the world, it would be wonderful to have you here... but if not you will be here in spirit.... and you will always be here through the awesome beauty of this exquisite piece of sacred art. Wishing you abundant blessings on you, your families, your companies and all your endeavours and plans. Love and prayers, Fr. Don, ofm cap.

All I can say is: I can't wait to see them complete their Seminary and we wish them all the success in the world!

The Houston Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

We were extremely pleased to find that our Liturgical Design work at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston, TX, has caught the attention of renowned Professor, Dr. Nikos Salingaros, who made glowing mention of it in an Italian architecture magazine. His years of professional architectural experience, published books, and awards enabled him to write this analytical article about the beautiful and unique design of the Co-Cathedral. We have worked with many great people from Italy over the years on various projects and we are excited that their hard work and talent in the States is being showcased in their homes, as well.

From the Italian magazine: Ciessa Oggi, edition # 87
Prof. Nikos Salìngaros

" An intelligent and sensitive architect can use them in a contemporary context with great success, and that is what has been achieved here. Tried-and-true methods are used to design a building that is solid on tradition, reassuring in presenting the Church of tradition to the faithful.

The Houston Cathedral has an unexpectedly non-traditional aspect when examined more closely. It feels like a building from the Vienna Secession: rich materials, yes, but also planes that are not filled in, and abstraction in its volumes. This is not a traditional building by far. It is not a Cathedral that any of my friends who design traditional churches would have built. They would have stuck to more of a traditional style in all the details (with magnificent results by the way). Here, instead the architects have achieved a harmonious result by pushing traditional typologies and ornamentation as far toward modernism as is possible to go without losing everything. We are reminded of the Vienna Secession and Art Deco, that glorious flowering of innovative architecture just before architects eliminated every vestige of tradition (and most of the architectural rules that touch us in a healing manner). I am forced to revise my initial hasty opinion and declare this building highly innovative. The innovation is employed to give a very positive impression: this is the reason the building looks comfortable; it looks traditional even when it is actually not. I am impressed by the result and warn other observers not to be taken in by a superficial judgment.


Harmonious ornamentation achieved through multiple symmetries nourishes our senses and creates in us a healing state. As human beings, we always anthropomorphize our gods, and expect that they share our own higher pleasures. For this reason, our love of God moves us to ornament the place where we worship, and to do so in a totally selfless manner. We wish to create an environment of maximal transcendent pleasure using an understanding that arises from our own physical experience.

Most important, I see a fundamental humility in the Houston Cathedral, quite a feat expressed in such a large and imposing building, and in my mind, this modesty is closer to the early Church doctrine. "
Photos by Aker/Zvonkovic Photography. All rights reserved.


from DiBaio Editore
www.dibaio.com

In Honor of the Year for Priests

Pope Benedict XVI declared to begin with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009

The San Damiano Cross in Honor of the Priests
Created for the Capuchin Friars College in Papua New Guinea

We at Rohn and Associates Design were honored to receive the following letter of thanks from our dear friend Fr. Donald Lippert in Papua New Guinea. Being able to share in his faith, and the faith of everyone we work with, through the creation of art and liturgical design, is truly the best part of this work. We are blessed and grateful that we have the opportunity to do this on a daily basis and hope to be a part of many more of these stories in the future.

8 December 2009

Dear Rolf (and company),

Peace and goodness! We are drawn to remember you with admiration and gratitude as we remember your magnificent gift of the San Damiano Crucifix stained-glass window for our new Chapel at Capuchin Friars College here at our mission in Papua New Guinea. The San Damiano window is without a doubt the artistic and spiritual centerpiece and cornerstone of our major building project.

The San Damiano Crucifix was instrumental in the early vocation of Saint Francis of Assisi. It was while praying in front of this crucifix that Christ spoke to the young Francis instructing him to ‘rebuild my church’. I firmly believe that the San Damiano stained-glass window will also ‘speak’ to the hearts of future generations of young Capuchin-Franciscans who also wish to respond to the loving call of the crucified Lord to build-up the church in this far away land. Your colleagues have created an amazing masterpiece of sacred art whose stunning beauty and awesome detail bring the cross to life when illumined by the rays of the sun.

There is no way to thank-you for such a gift that will continue to give and inspire for generations to come! What I can promise however, is a constant and unbroken remembrance in grateful and fervent prayer for you and your family and associates each time we gaze upon the beauty of the San Damiano Crucifix stained-glass window during the hours we spend each day in prayer and meditation.

Gratefully yours in Christ,

Fr. Donald F. Lippert, O.F.M. Cap.
Rector


We would like to thank Fr. Donald Lippert and all Priests for their years of service, guidance and friendship in the past and especially in this year for Priests that will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of Priests with the Holy Father from June 9-11, 2010. Finally, we would also like to offer them this prayer from the Chalice Ministry at Holy Family Catholic Parish in Ft. Worth, TX that they will always be faithful to their sacred calling.

“Lord, guide all who are seeking you, may your spirit direct all who are called to a religious vocation and strengthen those who have committed themselves to priesthood or the religious life. Inspire men and women to serve your church and keep us all in your grace.”

Amen

Bishops Visit San Antonio's Rohn Studios

The Houston Archbishop who led the construction of the new Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart stopped by the Rohn Studios in San Antonio for an impromptu visit on January 5, 2010. Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston admired the work of the company's artists during his tour.

While serving as Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Fiorenza selected Rohn & Associates Design, Inc. as the liturgical design firm for the collosal and beautiful new Co-Cathedral located in downtown Houston.

Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Vincent Rizzotto of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston joined his close friend on the tour.

The two bishops met with Rohn & Associates staff and praised the company's work and historic location in downtown San Antonio.

The bishops were in San Antonio at the Oblate Renewal Center for an annual retreat of the bishops of Texas.

Stained-Glass Windows in Living Color

"God called man into existence, committing to him the craftsman’s task. Through his 'artistic creativity' man appears more than ever 'in the image of God', and he accomplishes this task above all in shaping the wondrous 'material' of his own humanity and then exercising creative dominion over the universe which surrounds him."

Pope John Paul II

Letter to Artists

Stained-Glass Windows

Art in Living Color

Stained-glass windows add to a church’s beauty and warmth.  Skilled artists craft and create wonderful works of art that are then illuminated by and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  The art glass is not only beautiful but it also represents the sacred while educating the faithful.  These brilliant images speak to us in silence as they tell the story of Our Lord, Our Holy Mother, or the saints.  Every image is carefully selected to represent each church’s vision.  Our team works closely with artists to help select the appropriate materials to design and craft the stained-glass windows. At St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Nassau Bay, Texas, the pastor had the vision to dedicate space and work with the Rohn & Associates liturgical design team to tell the story of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Rohn & Associates also designed a glorious stained-glass window representation of the Last Supper for St. Paul Catholic Church.  This beautiful image greets people as they enter this newly constructed church building just outside the gates of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.


To highlight the significance of St. Paul, the patron saint, our artists custom-painted his life on wall behind a statue of St. Paul.  The beautiful artwork inspires the faithful to draw closer to the life of this holy man.

Read recent articles about St. Paul Catholic Church Nassau Bay:

• Facebook
• Galveston Daily News
• St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
• Clear Lake News
  

Hurricane-Damaged Cathedral Basilica Restored

Teams of highly-skilled and accomplished artists from Rohn & Associates Design, Inc. have once again completed renovations to St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont, Texas.

This beautiful sacred site suffered more than a million dollars of extensive water damage caused by Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Rohn & Associates originally designed and completed the restoration of the Beaumont cathedral seven years ago. Rohn's talented designers and artists transformed the Texas structure into a replica of Rome's revered Basilica of San Clemente; one of Christianity's oldest churches. 

Today, Beaumont's St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica is a stop for many pilgrims. His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, recognized the liturgical glory and historical significance of St. Anthony Cathedral by proclaiming it a Minor Basilica on July 11, 2006.

 

Click here to visit St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica: http://stanthonycathedral.org/history.htm