The Church of Saint Pierre d’Arène, where art and faith harmoniously blend, is often called a museum church by some. The Ash Wednesday mass is a perfect illustration of this, as it showcases a project unfolding before our eyes for the greater glory of God. This project, which began in early 2018, will present us with a 50 square meter fresco.
On a blue sky tinged with clouds where Jacob’s ladder leads to the dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit, three saints, two blessed, and one martyr will be depicted in this wing to the right of the choir, a place where the stained glass of the holy Curé of Ars is already located. On the other wing, directly opposite, is the altar of the Blessed Sacrament, a strong symbol. The holy popes: John XXIII, John Paul II; and Saint Charles Makhouf, a Lebanese priest whose relics are venerated on the 22nd of each month, are featured there.
The blessed: Charles of Austria, the last Habsburg emperor, and Father Jerzy Popieluszko, a martyr for the faith against communist dictatorship in Poland, and finally, Father Jacques Hamel, who was martyred for his faith in the face of terrorism. This fresco will adorn the reliquary chapel, where the relics of these saints, blessed, and martyrs will be deposited for the veneration of the faithful.
In April, after its completion, the relics of Saint John Paul II will be entrusted to this reliquary chapel. It is an event for this church where the expression of faith is very vibrant. Archbishop Mokrzycki of Lviv (formerly Lvov), the Primate of Ukraine, will come to deposit them on this occasion in April. The realization of the fresco is already well advanced.
Thierry Jan
