The side altar of Mary inside Hamtramck’s historic St. Florian Church was photographed during an Oct. 19 event hosted by the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Office of Sacred Worship. It combines the beauty and breathtaking theology of the great Polish saint, St. John Paul II. Architecture of St. Florian, one of the historic Polish parishes of the local church. (Photo by Gabriella Patti | Detroit Catholic)
Events at historic church in Poland draw attention to the beauty and purpose of sacred architecture ahead of St. John Paul II Feast Day
HAMTRAMCK — In the days leading up to the feast day of beloved Polish Pope St. John Paul II, Detroit-area believers are invited to celebrate the saint at St. John Paul II, Hamtramck’s grand historic Polish church. It deepened my appreciation for the world. Florian.
The Oct. 19 gathering, hosted by the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Department of Sacred Worship, began with a social time featuring Polish treats and pastries, followed by the Rev. Esther Mary Nickel, Director of Sacred Worship, and Kathy Feck, RSM. A lecture was given by Mr. , Sacred Worship Coordinator. The day ended with an explanation of the sacraments and the celebration of Mass, which was celebrated in both Polish and English.
Lord Nickel recalled his memories of St. John Paul II, who visited St. Florian in 1969 when he was Karol Wojtyla, Archbishop of Krakow, and celebrated Mass at St. Florian’s. Mr. Fesch shared the history of the building and encouraged attendees to spend time exploring the beautiful artifacts and artwork inside the church.
“Watch where your eyes are set and what you’re interested in, because that’s Christ’s invitation to you today,” Fesch said. “Christ will speak uniquely to each of us. Feel free to wander around, so you can spend time actually looking at the art and architecture that appeals to you the most.”
Kathy Feck, Sacred Worship Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Detroit, spoke at an Oct. 19 event about the beauty of St. Florian’s Church in Hamtramck, one of the oldest and oldest Polish churches in southeastern Michigan. and give a presentation on history.
Founded in 1907 by Polish immigrants drawn to Detroit by the automobile industry, the current cathedral was built in 1928 by parishioners as a testament to their faith, honoring the 3rd century saint and patron saint of firefighters. Entrusted to the protection of St. Florian. Chimney sweeps and the modern nation of Poland.
The parish was first founded in 1907 by Polish immigrants drawn to the area by the promise of employment in the burgeoning automobile industry, but its current structure was not built until the late 1920s, and in October 1928. It was dedicated on Monday, May 21, Fesch explained. .
On the day of the dedication, 300 people gathered in the pews and about 200 on the street outside, Fesch said.
“St. Florian represented beauty, prayer, community and order in the center of a world of ugliness, smoke, noise, profiteering and materialism,” Fesch said.
Mr. Fesch and Lord Nickel acknowledged the Polish immigrants and parishioners who built the church many years ago and made it possible for St. Florian’s to continue to serve as a place of worship into the 21st century.
“I have done so much in the early decades of this parish so that today, 96 years after this building was dedicated, we can come here and love the Lord more deeply. I would like to briefly pay tribute to all the faithful Catholics who have dedicated their lives,” Fesch said. Said. “Their names should only be known by God… I want to honor the sacrifices they made. We have reached heaven and many who are still suffering in purgatory. We celebrate those who have triumphantly joined the Church by praying for their souls.
A man looks at some of the many relics on display in the sanctuary of St. Florian’s Church in Hamtramck.
“Their faith was so deep that they wanted to secure a long-term place to glorify our Lord for generations to come,” Fesch continued.
Fesch added that over the past 96 years, millions of people have wandered into St. Florian and drawn closer to the Lord as a result of its beautiful space and its purpose.
“I imagine the countless artisans and artisans who put in hundreds of hours,” Fesch said. “Ninety-six years ago, scaffolding was erected 200 feet overhead, eight stories high, and we now consider it dangerous. Ninety-six years ago, when we came here today, we were in heaven. How many dangers did they risk their lives to see?”
Mr. Fesch painted murals of Evangelists and stories from the Gospels, as well as depictions of beloved saints among Polish Catholics, such as Casimir, Hedwig, Hyacinth, Stanislaus, and, of course, Florian. He pointed out the numerous stained glass windows.
Additionally, Mr. Fesch reminded those gathered that while reading is now a common skill, this was not the case for centuries, when believers learned the Bible and catechism through works of art.
Sr. Esther Mary Nickell, RSM, Director of Sacred Worship for the Archdiocese of Detroit, takes a photo of the Stations of the Cross at St. Florian Church in Hamtramck.
“Churches have always been designed in such a way that everything within the building is categorized. The design, the artwork, the aesthetics, and even the acoustics are here to help and teach us our prayer lives. Yes, there is,” Fesch said. “Before learning from books, many people learned their faith by studying stained glass, sacred art, and sacred music over the centuries. And we still see all of those elements today. They can still catechize us. They can still call us to prayer and draw us closer to God, just as they did when they were built.”
Fesch pointed to the beautiful and intricate altarpiece, saying its craftsmanship and care reflected the honor and respect given to the Eucharist.
“When we look at art, they are just shadows of the reality that draws us towards them, but they are not worth looking at at all because it is not until heaven that we can see and experience the true reality,” Fesch said. said. “So until then, let these spaces, windows, altars, and statues be shadows that point us in their direction.”
Copy Permalink Print
Recommended reading
saint of sacred art
Source link
