Appropriately, the image of the dove in this week’s mystery photo is situated in the pulpit, on the canopy of the ambo. Symbolizing the Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, the dove hovers above the head of the priest when he delivers the sermon.

Thank you to everyone for participating in this week’s mystery photo contest. Saint Francis de Sales church is blessed with many beautiful decorations which are meant to glorify God and lift the hearts of the faithful up to  God in prayer.

Photo Credits: Mr. Phil Roussin

In the Gospels, the dove is a typical symbol of the Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity.  When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Ghost descended upon Him in the form of a dove. In Christian art, the dove is often used to portray the Holy Ghost, as in the descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost.

Where have you seen this particular dove at St. Francis de Sales? Please enter your answer in the comment section.

Photo Credit: Mr. Phil Roussin

In our mystery photo this week is the bronze plaque which marks the St. Francis de Sales church’s distinction as a national historic place. Located on the exterior wall close to the church’s main entrance, the bronze plaque has acquired a beautiful green natural patina over the last three decades.

Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. To be listed on the Register, a property must meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation for age, integrity and significance. On November 2, 1978, St. Francis de Sales Church was formally recognized as a national historic place based on its architectural, historical, and cultural significance, according to national standards used by every state. Though not indicated on the plaque, its official designation is National Register #78003393.

Photo Credits: Mr. Phil Roussin

In 1978, seventy years after its dedication in 1908, the present church building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Can you tell us where this plaque may be found? Please enter your response in the comment section.

Photo Credit: Mr. Phil Roussin

Communion rail detail

This carved image evokes the bitter scene at the crucifixion described in the Gospel of St. John 19:24: “So they said to one another, ‘Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be,’ in order that the passage of scripture might be fulfilled: ‘They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.’

The image we wanted to guide your attention to is to be found at our communion rail: All faithful kneeling and receiving Holy Communion are able to see it – if we are attentive. The communion rail in our church allows us to kneel under the cross and to contemplate the mysteries of our faith.

Communion rail at the main altar

another detail from the communion rail

In many locations inside and outside the church, Saint Francis de Sales offers a rich visual treasury of our Christian cultural heritage. Thank you for participating in this week’s mystery search and for viewing with us .

We are indebted to Mr. Mark Abeln for providing us with these photos.

Where is this in the Oratory? From Psalm 22:19, “they divide my garments among them; for my clothing they cast lots.” Look around, behind and above you and tell us where in the Oratory this carved image can be found. Please enter your answer in  the comment section. (Photo credit: Mr. Mark Abeln of Rome of the West)

The detail shown in this week’s mystery photo is part of the ceiling of the narthex, or the vestibule.  This elaborate  floral motif is also found on the ceiling of the nave of the church, and extends all the way into the sanctuary. Using botanical motif in the decoration of  the church gives honor to God for His creation. In the nave of a church, such decoration is to be reminiscent of Garden of Eden as well as the promise of a new heavens and a new earth in the age to come.

Although Saint Francis de Sales church was completed and dedicated on November 26, 1908, the painting of the church was postponed to the Spring of 1916, and completed in time for the Golden Jubilee in 1917.  Fr.  Holweck met and engaged a German artist, Mr. Fridolin Fuchs, who, on account of the war, was unable to return to his native Germany.  Mr. Fuchs had painted various other churches in Texas and Arkansas in the same time period, but eventually settled in St. Louis.  The painting, including the scaffolding, came to $8,800.00, which was an exceptional outlay for the time. The amount was raised by sending out a committee of 100 young ladies of the Sodality who visited each family once a month for a year to request donations. $5,621.00 was collected in the first six months!

Thanks are due Mr. Mark Abeln of Rome of the West for his photos and for his contribution to the commentary.

Where is this in the Oratory? Next time you’re in the Oratory, look around, behind, and above you and tell us where in the Oratory this piece of decorative and sacred art can be found. Remember to return to this site and enter your answer in the comment section.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo: courtesy of Mr. Mark Abeln of Rome of the West.

The photo below shows its location at the top of the column near the entrance of the church.

This figure is a common architectural decorative element called a “grotesque.” Similar to, and often confused with gargoyles (which are waterspouts), grotesques are carvings which often depict comically distorted figures.

We are indebted to Mr. Mark Abeln, not only for the photographs, but also for the following enlightening explanation on this particular figure found in Saint Francis de Sales Oratory. (Mr. Abeln, author of the Rome of the West blog, is also a noted photographer of the book Catholic St. Louis: A Pictorial History Churches.)

“This kind of Gothic decoration is called ‘grotesque,’ a common architectural element found in Romanesque, Gothic, and earlier regional Catholic traditions. Typical grotesque subjects are demons, animals, chimeras, and humans with highly distorted expressions. Grotesques are found in a wide variety, for workmen were given much freedom to produce this decoration.

It’s said that grotesques usually symbolize sin, folly, and evil, in a mocking manner. Grotesques are also secular in nature, showing humorous depictions of rulers, tradesmen, or events in history. Workmen would often carve caricatures of particularly ‘beloved’ supervisors as a backhanded compliment, as is likely the case with these at the Oratory.

The overwhelmingly obvious characteristic of grotesques is that they are comical. Even if they are of frightening subjects like demons, they usually are produced in a humorous manner. The example photo is of one that is rather subdued – the other companion grotesques at the Oratory are more expressive and comical.

In Gothic cathedrals, grotesques would be placed outside of the church, or as in the Oratory, near the entrance. As artwork progresses towards the sanctuary, the art becomes more sacred, in a hierarchical manner.

The comical character of the grotesques reflects the joy of life, the love of Creation, and the deep faith of Catholics. The very same stone carver could produce a great devotional work of art as well as a humorous one, and both would be incorporated into the same church.”

Most likely every visitor to the Saint Francis de Sales Oratory has seen this fellow. If you have, please enter the location in the comment section. You are most welcome to take our Virtual Tour !

Photo courtesy of Mark Abeln of Rome of the West

This carved image of an angel holding a crown is on the beautiful main altar of the Oratory. It is a part of the reredos.  As the viewer faces the altar, it can be seen on the left side, beneath the larger, full figure of the angel with the rose-colored garment.

The exceptional reredos of the main altar at Saint Francis de Sales Oratory stands 52 feet in height, and is a distinctive features of the Oratory. It is richly decorated with many intricately carved details, including many angelic figures. In such an ornate reredos, this one angel is easy to miss.

Of the four responses we received, two were very good guesses, and two correctly identified the angel in the mystery photo.  All are to be commended for noticing the beauty of the Oratory!

Do you remember seeing this angel somewhere in the Oratory?

If so, please enter the location in the comment section.

If not, look for it on your next visit to the Oratory!

Photo courtesy of Mr. Mark Abeln of Rome of the West

The object in our mystery photo this week is an architectural ornament – stylized curled leaves, found on the doorway of a building entrance on Lynch Street. As shown in the larger photo, it has a symmetrical counterpart on the opposite side. As part of the façade of this Gothic revival building, this type of decorative ornament adds to the general appeal of the architectural style without calling attention to itself. Termed a crocket or croc in French, this sculpted feature is a typical element found in Gothic architecture. Can you imagine the building’s façade without these details?

We are grateful to Mr. Mark Abeln of Rome of the West for these photos.

Like many churches built in the late Nineteenth Century, the Oratory is richly endowed with visual and textural details. While some of the decorative details evoke religious significance (for example the trefoil motif), others are simply ornamental, deriving their pattern and texture from nature.

The subject of today’s photo mystery is something easily bypassed. Do you recall having seen it while visiting the Oratory? If so, where can it be found? Please enter your response in the comment box.

For those who wish to see this window, please check out the Virtual Tour by clicking on “TOUR” on this site. Thank you all for participating, and a very special thanks to Mr. Mark Abeln of Rome of the West for the beautiful photo of this stained glass window.  The next photo quiz will be on October 6.

The following are the answers received:

• Mrs. Pekny says:

September 22, 2011 at 12:03 PM

Is this is on the Epistle side transept? The large window to the right of the Mother of Perpetual Help Altar?

• Mary says:

September 22, 2011 at 12:13 PM

This stained glass image of St. Thaddeus can be found on the north side of the church, along with five other stained glass images of Apostles. (right?????)

• Angelika Kinter says:

September 22, 2011 at 12:35 PM

At the corner of Our Mother of Perpetual Altar and the Our Lord’s Agony Altar. It is truely close to Our Blessed Lord and to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in the Oratory. Above Our Lady of Seven Sorrows window, If I’m facing the Agony Altar an looking up than from left the first stained glass window. ???

• Thomas S. says:

September 22, 2011 at 12:46 PM

Just to the right and above the Altar of the Mother of Perpetual Help. The first on the left of a series of 6 stained glass images.

• Jay Petrick says:

September 22, 2011 at 1:27 PM

I believe this is in the transept on the Lynch street side of the Church.