Arise, The Wait is Over
The Wait is over! Arise!
We’re finally into the ecclesial restoration portion of San Damiano’s first-year curriculum, and where do you think we are starting?
It is the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, right here on San Damiano’s campus. In 1205 A.D., with the words from Christ still echoing in his ears, “rebuild my Church,” St. Francis picked up some stones to repair a tumble-down chapel. Now, 800 years later, in the year of St. Francis, our San Damiano faculty and students restore damage to a church built in St. Francis’ venerable memory.
Beginning with the end in mind, faculty member Joseph Williams took our eager young men up to the second-floor gallery of St. Francis Church. Of course they weren’t ready to prep the site, jump on the scaffold, repair the wall, and match the paint, but the end inspires the start. As deep calls out to deep, as the heights beckon the heart, so the original beauty of those ecclesial arches drive the students into the fundamentals required to restore them.
Students learn custom color matching with stain and, later in the day, with paint.
Building on the base, students attempt faux marbling techniques for wall or pillar restorations. Gold leafing is in the offing.
Going further still… students bring their own beloved but broken sacred art for careful attention.
Missing fingers, hands, noses, and feet are common. Unfortunately, St. Rita has more to suffer here than the thorn wound typically depicted on her head.
Student Michael Newton shows his fellows a stained-glass project he has underway at Jacksonville Stained Glass where he works.
Big thanks to the Bill and Sarah Preston who employ both Max Merle and Michael!
It is the Eastertide, a most fitting moment in the liturgical year for our church restoration section. In theology we just read St. Athanasius, who compares our salvation through the Incarnation of the Word to the restoration of a painting, an icon. Fallen human nature is a portrait so soiled, worn, and bedraggled that the image can hardly be seen. It cannot be restored unless the original model, in whose image the icon was painted, is made present again. Why, though, doesn’t God simply throw our busted human nature in the trash and start again? Why bother to restore something so far gone? Athanasius tells us…it is on account of the one whose image is inscribed, namely the Word, the Second Person of the Trinity. Seeing even the tiniest glimmer of the Son’s image on this ragged human nature, the lavishly loving Father sends the Son to rescue and restore it to the Original.
In humanities we’ve finished Dante’s Purgatory. Finally at the top of mount purgatory, after traversing the terrace of each virtue and reordering each vice, Dante and Virgil arrive at the garden of paradise. Virgil tells Dante he has become the master of himself, truly attaining the apex of natural human virtue. Yet, a moment later Dante uncontrollably breaks down in tears at Virgil’s departure, and his first interview with the beloved Beatrice reveals that more pain is yet in store this very day. Dante’s redemption has been hard-won, and it still isn’t good enough. Wouldn’t it have been easier to simply create a new Dante than fix this one? Dante discovers that true restoration needs more than a good sanding to buff out the scratches. To restore human nature, grace must be infused to elevate the sinews of the heart and the convolutions of the mind, to elevate us beyond what mere naked human nature can attain. We are not merely fixed; we are divinized!
And so it is with our skilled trades curriculum. It might be easier to chuck St. Rita in the trash and cast a new version free from the particular challenges, frustrations, and limitations of this missing hand or that gauged leg. The dignity of the saint depicted and the glory of the Father, Son, and Spirit who made and redeemed that saint stay our hands and beckon our hearts!
Return unto me, says the Lord! Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make you as white as snow. Our God is in the restoration business, and may He be praised that he has called San Damiano College to do the same. May we be worthy of that great calling— “Rebuild My Church!”
And Now Some News
Students and faculty test out weapons being built for our battle on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Wooden swords not pictured. James Carstens’ flail struggles against Professor Tardiff’s swordsmanship.
“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” Heb 4:12
Easter Pilgrimage!!
Students and staff spent a week building on and restoring a convent in Evansville, IN, for the Benedictine sisters from Gower, MO, who recently Moved in.
One Dance at a Time!
Thanks to the Garcia family for hosting our monthly dance and teaching us the beauty and grace of movement in harmony!
Restoring Catholic culture One Dance at a Time.
Our campus after the recent storm shows Gods grandeur on full display.
Apply now, pray for San Damiano now, give now, or tell friends or family about our mission.
My God bless you as we make our way to Ascension and Pentecost!