The Pontifical North American College in Vatican City, Rome, recently dedicated their new tower. Rohn & Associates had the privilege of designing a set of custom stained glass windows for the building's new Chapel of Reservation for the Blessed Sacrament. The chapel, named after St. John Paul II, houses a relic of the late pope’s cassock from the day he was shot in 1981 in St. Peter’s Square.
Liturgical Designer Rolf Rohn, currently consulting on the church lighting plan for the NAC's main new chapel, conceived the windows for this space to support the college’s goal of priestly formation. He collaborated with Rector Monsignor James Checchio and Vice Rector for Administration and Formation Reverend Monsignor Michael L. Farmer. Under Rolf's direction, Graphic Designer Maria Hubbard illustrated the portraits for the glass and contributed to the design development. Liturgical Interior Designer Kathy Maglicco assisted in selecting the glass and colors that complement the interior. Rolf also supervised the creation, shipping, and installation of the art glass, which was fabricated by the Florence-based Mellini Art Glass and Mosaics studio.
The two main windows feature the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the inscription of the college’s coat of arms motto, “Firmum Est Cor Meum" (“My heart is steadfast”), and the Immaculate Heart of Mary with the words, “Vergine Immacolata, aiutateci” ("Immaculate Virgin, help us").
The other four windows portray various important figures:
- Pope John Paul II, who attended the college in 1981, with the inscription, “Pastores Dabo Vobis” ("I will give you shepherds").
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who was a frequent visitor, with the inscription, “I thirst”.
- Venerable Bishop Fulton Sheen, a renowned theologian, with the inscription, “Sacrificium nostrum, in Christo” ("Our sacrifice, in Christ").
- Venerable Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, with the inscription, “Tempus fugit memento mori” ("Time flies, remember death").
Italian Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, considered
the highest-ranking Vatican official under the Pope, led the building's dedication
ceremony at the NAC on
January 6th. Cardinal Parolin was joined by three US cardinals: Cardinal James M. Harvey, Archpriest of the Basilica of St.
Paul Outside the Walls; Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien, Grand Master of the
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre; and Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of
Washington, DC.
You can click here to read more about the new NAC chapel design and dedication.
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