The MUSEUM Issue 16 October 2014

The

M.U.S.E.U.M.

A magazine of the Society of Christian Doctrine, founded by Saint George Preca

Issue 16 October 2014

The

M.U.S.E.U.M. Copyright Š 2014 Society of Christian Doctrine, Australia Region

The spirit and vision of George Preca

Editors Peter Judge sdc Email: pljudge@optusnet.com.au

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Mark Micallef sdc Email: markmicallef@optusnet.com.au

St George Preca Unveiled at Domus Australia A Dream Unfolds The Foundation of the SDC

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A Life Spent in Service Hospital Chaplaincy with Fr Gerald Quinn cp Meet George’s Neighbour The Nativity Project Gains Momentum in Kingston, Canada

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General Chapter 2014 A Visit to the Passionist Generalate in Rome Architectural and Liturgical Space Seven New Churches in Paris

Cover Portrait of St George Preca by Paul Newton, unveiled at Domus Australia Chapel

CONTENTS ISSUE 16 OCTOBER 2014

The M.U.S.E.U.M. is issued biannually for friends and associates of the Society of Christian Doctrine in the Australian Region. M.U.S.E.U.M. represents the first letter of a prayer in Latin, Magister Untinam Sequatur Evangelium Universus Mundus translating Divine teacher, may the whole world follow the Gospel.

This magazine is online at www.sdcprecaoz.org

St George Preca unveiled at Domus Australia Domus Australia is a new pilgrim centre on the Via Cernaia in the heart of Rome, close to Termini railway station.

It provides accommodation and other facilities for visitors to Rome.

Domus Australia was officially opened by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2011.

In 2010, Paul Newton was commissioned to paint thirty-two works for the chapel. Paul, Sydney artist says he hopes his creative works “point people towards Christ�.

would have personally known to the Catholic faith. The St George Preca and listened Australian Church is definitely to his talks in the village richer because of this. squares.

Many who visit the Domus The Maltese people have Australia chapel may ask who enhanced the quality of life in was St George Preca. In Australia through their founding the Society of commitment to family life, Christian Doctrine, George honest and not being afraid Preca understood that a of hard work, their sense of relationship with Christ and commitment and respect to evangelisation was the key. the laws that govern our He feverishly promoted both nation and most of all of these and wanted others to through their overt adherence recognise this as well.

Creating new paintings for the chapel along with a new interpretation of his 2008 portrait of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, further works have been commissioned.

Other portraits include pioneers of the Church in Australia such as Caroline Chisholm, Fr John Joseph Therry, Dame Mary Kate Barlow, St Mary MacKillop and the Founder of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Archbishop John Polding OSB. St George Preca was chosen to be one of the portraits that are in the Domus Chapel.

Following WWII, immigration from Malta to Australia was encouraged with assisted passages for would-be immigrants, resulting in thousands of new settlers arriving each year; a total of two million in twenty years.

Many of the early immigrants St Peter Chanel chapel at Domus Australia

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Charity is that with which no man is lost, and without which no man is saved. St. Robert Bellarmine

For those who are enquiring about St George Preca they may be motivated and urged to read his story as he has given us a lot to be thankful for. George himself would not acknowledge this and in his humility and simplicity would acclaim that ‘Everything comes from God!’

St George Preca in a side chapel flanked by Br William O'Malley, an Australian Christian Brother and Bishop Rosendo Salvado, Founder of New Norcia Monastery in Western Australia.

DISTRIBUTION of The MUSEUM The MUSEUM has for some years now been available online in two locations issuu.org under Preca Publications and on the SDC’s website sdcprecaoz.org under Publications.

We are now inviting readers alternatively to receive the magazine in digital format.

If you wish to receive the magazine in this format and not receive a printed magazine in the post, please inform us via email: sdcpreca@optusnet.com.au In addition if you know of anyone who would also like to receive The MUSEUM in digital format, please let us know.

It would be considered a theft on our part if we didn't give to someone in greater need than we are. St Francis of Assisi

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A Dream Unfolds Privileged to have served !

The Foundation of (part the SDC Alan Gauci’s story 2) The history of the Society of Christian Doctrine has been written in many forms since its foundation in 1907. A current version which will be serialised over a number of issues is presented here.

Church Status in the 1900s In his encyclical Acerbo Nimis which Pius X promulgated on 15 April 1905, who was elected to the pontificate two years earlier, showed his deep apprehension about Catholic indifference to the faith, caused, as he saw it, by sheer ignorance of the redeeming truths. At the end of the encyclical he proposed measures to the bishops and parish priests how to counter this faith-eroding affliction.

He proposed, among other things, that each parish should have a ‘Confraternity of Christian Doctrine’ for catechetical instruction. It was to be made up of priests, the laity being permitted to become involved only if there were not enough of the former. Another proposal of Pius X was that on every Sunday and feast days, all the parish priests had to offer a one hour session of catechism to the boys and girls of the parish.

Pius X statue at his home-town of Riese, Italy

of proper catechesis in the parishes.

There was Modernism threatening the Church from outside and assembling under its banner ideologies and ideas considered anti-Catholic.

Pius X’s problems consisted more than the indifference of his Catholic flock and the lack

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Mount Calvary is the academy of love. St. Francis de Sales

Malta’s History Our story begins in Malta, a tiny island barely perceptible between Italy and the North African coastline.

Like other tiny islands in the Mediterranean Sea, it would have never played a role in history hadn’t it been for its strategic position and its excellent harbours.

the history of the SDC - Part 1 Grand Harbour, Valletta 1. Valletta 2. Floriana 3. ÄŚamrun 4. Marsa 5. The Grand Harbour 6. Marsamxett Harbour

hospital, magnificent baroque churches, and musicians and artists of note.

In the early 1900s, when our story begins, Malta’s population, barely reaching 200,000, was fervently Catholic. Its villages, then a conglomeration of stone houses built around an imposing baroque church, as chicks flock around their brooding hen, is an apt When in 1530 it was offered as a residence for the Knights Hospitallers of St John, Malta was aptly described as a dry and barren rock. Had the Knights had their way, they wouldn’t have chosen it. But beggars cannot be choosers and without any other option at hand, they sailed into the Maltese harbours to take over the island at least until an opportunity for a better place would turn up.

However the 1565 victory over the Turks sealed the fate of the Knights with Malta making the two inseparable.

The Knights stayed on the island for almost 320 years, europeanising it thoroughly in the process. When the British took possession of Malta in 1800 they not only found an intelligentsia well versed in legal terms and gradually clamouring for self-government but also a theatre for operas, an excellent public library, a Maltese village, ancient Mosta university, a world-class The greatness of contemplation can be given to none but those who love. Pope St. Gregory the Great

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allegory of the Maltese’s strong attachment to their faith. It was really their life centre. But as in other parts of Europe, theirs was a faith in which they were ignorant, a faith to which they belonged without actually knowing and experiencing its true depths and joys. They were more religious than faithful. Actually ignorance didn’t limit itself to faith. With education having to be paid for and not compulsory, it was really the privileged few who could afford to send their children to school and to the university. At that time Malta was a fortress-colony in the British Empire where imperial interests had precedence while education for the benefit of the local population was not a priority.

The Maltese intelligentsia of the early twentieth century came from the few families who had the means to offer an academic education to their offspring, some of them graduating from the best universities in Europe. These intellectuals were the foundation and the guarantee for a better political and ecclesiastical future in Malta.

Malta’s coming of age was in their hands. Complementing this elite group were other learned Maltese mostly priests. These had their share in making the island a better place for the local population.

One of these was Fr George Preca, learned and earnest in holiness.

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A street in Valletta

George Preca Enters the Scene George was born in Valletta, Malta’s capital city on 12 February 1880. His father was a businessman and his mother, a former teacher. At that time women had to renounce their employment on marriage. The Preca’s were financially secure and could afford a house-keeper.

Their extended family was quite wealthy and prominent with a relative of theirs,

Joseph Howard, becoming a prime minister in 1921, the year when Malta was granted self government. Some years after George’s birth, his family moved from Valletta finally settling at Ħamrun when George was still a young boy. Ħamrun can be considered as a suburb of the capital Valletta around three kilometres from it.

These three kilometres were to mark George’s life till his ordination to the priesthood.

In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God, and in all things give Him thanks. St. Teresa of Avila

the history of the SDC - Part 1 As a student he walked to Valletta to attend the Lyceum, then a prominent grammar school on the island.

Successfully completing the five year course at the Lyceum, G e o r g e w a s accepted at the Archbishop’s Seminary to begin his formation to the priesthood.

The Seminary was at Floriana, Valletta’s immediate suburb, situated between the

Capital and Ħamrun. At the Seminary George was a day student and he used to walk to and from home every day.

The territory within the three kilometres between Valletta and Ħamrun offered George enough evidence of the ignorance in religious matters among the Maltese population and of the inefficiency of the parochial catechetical services. As he

The Lyceum school attended by George Preca We must give alms. Charity wins souls and draws them to virtue. St. Angela Merici

matured into manhood he convinced himself that the glorification of God and the salvation of humanity depend on catechesis.

An Idea Ignites in George As an altar boy and later as a seminarian, George must have surely participated in what he later, as a thirty-six year old Founder, described as the disorganised catechetical system at St Cajetan’s Parish in Ħamrun.

For years the parish catechists on the island had been none other than the altar boys and the sacristans, the latter being considered a dull lot as evidenced from the contemporary remarks about them.

In the evenings these catechists gathered children in the church and would teach them the prayers and the catechism they knew.

Some pious people, mostly women but not only, taught catechism to those children unable to attend the instruction in the parish church. As a day student at the seminary and with his evenings free, George could affor d to at te nd the catechism instruction in the parish church, literally a minute walk from home. He attended, observed and analysed. He was struck negatively by certain teachings such as when the sacristan was asked who created God and he replied heretically that God created himself.

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the history of the SDC - Part 1 Surrounded by the impregnable bastions built by the Knights under the supervision of the best military architects of Europe, Valletta and Floriana were then the most densely populated area in the Maltese islands. Their streets built in grid form hosted the most affluent and influential people. To these belonged the palaces and the luxurious and elegant town houses. The peripheries, especially the most outer parts, belonged mostly to the poor and the miserable. Here could be seen the Maltese version of slums. Every working day, Valletta experienced a daily massive influx of workers from the villages. As the centre of the civil and ecclesiastical administrations of the islands and with a busy harbour on its eastern flank, the Capital offered the Maltese opportunities to earn a living from its offices, shops and the industrious harbour area with its import facilities, its amenities to the Royal Navy and coal bunkering.

The children in Valletta reflected the social classes of the city. Those who came from well-to-do families could be seen tidy and well-groomed in their school uniforms or in fashionable attire. Those from poorer classes were mostly unkempt wearing whatever they could lay their hands on. Quite a number were barefooted.

They went around the shops to snatch a morsel, obtain some coins for an errand or beg unashamedly. Village children made their way to

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Ancient ships in the harbour

Valletta as well, some to attend the Lyceum and other schools while others, being poor, came into the city to earn a penny. The most destitute collected garbage which they would sell elsewhere.

George’s analytical eye must have scrutinised these adults and children. In observing their speech and dealings he tried to configure how they fared in their faith. As he matured into manhood, it was the faith of his people that became his main interest.

He wanted to discover its pulse and discover ways to strengthen it.

It seemed natural for George to strike a blow at ignorance.

While still a young lad there were times when he went down to the Grand Harbour to board schooners and trawlers and talk to the foreign crews in English, French and Italian,

The Cross is the way to Paradise, but only when it is borne willingly. St Paul of the Cross

George Preca talking to foreign crews.

Sketched by Frank Schembri

the languages he was learning at the Lyceum. His motives were not solely to practise the language but also to engage in a spiritual thought.

Privileged to in have served !

A Life Spent Service Alan Gauci’s story (part 2)

Patricia and Miriam Belli, SDC Members after retiring from active ministry celebrate their years as catechists in a Mass held at St Bernadette’s church, North Sunshine.

Pictured with Fr John Taliana mssp and Members of the SDC. Sisters, Jane, Patricia and Miriam are pictured wearing the traditional Maltese għonnella. For centuries, the għonnella also commonly known as the faldetta was ubiquitous throughout Malta, worn by virtually all adult Maltese women. It fell into disuse in the 1940s and 1950s, following World War II. By the 1970s, it was rarely seen at all, except among the older members of the Society in Malta. By the end of the 20th century, it had disappeared altogether.

We acknowledge the selfless and dedicated service to God and to others by Jane (deceased), Miriam and Patricia.

He who desires anything but God deceives himself, and he who loves anything but God errs miserably. St Philip Neri

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Hospital Chaplaincy with Fr Gerald Quinn cp FR GERALD QUINN CP is a priest of the Passionist Community in Hobart.

He was professed on 27 January 1957 and ordained on 21 July 1962.

In Hobart, the Passionist Fathers have cared for the city parish of St Joseph’s in Macquarie Street since 1956. The Congregation of the Passion was founded in Italy by St Paul of the Cross. Their particular spirit draws on the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and the devotion to the Sorrowful Mother.

Fr Quinn has been a Chaplain at the Royal Hobart Hospital since 28 February 1989 marking his involvement in 2014 over 25 years.

Chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support to patients and those who care for them. Fr Quinn also conducts services of worship and a weekly Mass in the hospital chapel. He also runs the St Vincent de Paul Conference of St Camillus who regularly visit patients.

1. Fr Quinn, how were you appointed Chaplain at the RHH in Hobart and is hospital chaplaincy work a particular mission of the Passionists?

I was asked by my Provincial to take on the role as Chaplain to the RHH. Our main ministry is to give missions and retreats. Over a period of time, due to the shortage of priests, we have taken on other roles, namely chaplaincy work. Today my role as Chaplain at the hospital like other Chaplains calls for 24 hours availability.

2. Often patients are preparing for death, lonely, and in pain. They may experience concern, fear, happiness or relief. How does your presence as a Chaplain assist them in their immediate need?

I believe and have experienced that this can be a wonderful moments for patients. I have often witnessed peace and fulfilment in a patient after they have received a sacrament. The families of the patient have often commented on this and on how much it assists the patient and the family.

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You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. Kahlil Gibran

3. How do you deal with the shared burden that many patients carry?

I have a particular temperament that allows me to be present to the suffering that I see.

This is a grace from God that assists me in dealing with the burden of others and helps me to continue in the chaplaincy ministry without being too affected by what I see and experience.

4. Do you see that the provision of baptism and other sacraments available are an integral part of the pastoral approach to patients?

I am frequently called on to baptise in case of emergencies and to baptise babies who are in danger of death. I also administer to patients the sacraments of Anointing and Penance and occasionally Confirmation when a patient or family of the patient requests it. The reception of these sacraments is always a powerful moment for the patient and also for the family or friends who are present.

5. What interactive work are you involved in with other religious traditions at the hospital?

There are a very dedicated team of Chaplains at the RHH who work as a team. Occasionally I am asked to assist a patient who is from another Christian tradition which I willingly do.

6. Are you able to share a moment or event in your time as Chaplain that impacted you deeply?

For me every chance to help someone in a hospital setting is a moment of joy. I am especially moved when someone asks for a sacrament. Recently I was impacted on by the faith of a dying man who asked for Communion each day. I am able to empathise with the patient where their joy becomes my joy. For me it is a great privilege and very rewarding. I thank my Provincial who 25 years ago asked me to take on this mission. It has been a grace-filled role in my ministry as a priest.

Thank you Fr Quinn for sharing these thoughts with us.

Happiness doesn't result from what we get, but from what we give. Ben Carson

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The Nativity Project Gains Momentum in Kingston, Canada In previous issues of The MUSUEM we have followed Tony Vella and his enthusiasm in promoting nativity scenes; a tradition encouraged by St George Preca.

In recent years the Nativity Project team expanded its activities to include an annual Exhibition of Nativity Scenes in Kingston, Canada and in surrounding communities.

The first exhibition was held in 2012 Exhibition of Nativity Scenes at the Salvation Army Citadel. An invitation was also extended to other Christian churches and schools to join this celebration of faith.

During a special evening of music and prayer, Archbishop Brendan Michael O’Brien, Archbishop of Kingston shared a message with other Christian Ministers and invited guests. Following this the guests viewed more than one hundred and thirty exhibits of nativity scenes.

This three day exhibition received welcome reviews from visitors. It was very encouraging for the team who decided to continue and expand the exhibition to include the entire community in future years. Many school students attended the exhibition.

Christmas Eve in Bethlehem was the focus during this

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Virginia Tymchuk and Connie Vella view a Nativity scene

exhibition depicting the birth of Christ and the accompanying scene in an historical context that would have occurred in the town.

Shepherds looking out for their sheep, shop-keepers selling their harvested crops, farmers working their fields and others attending to their daily tasks. An original papier-mâché creation of mine which endured several transformations since it was

crafted in 1967 following our arrival in Canada was displayed.

Co-ordinating the initiatives of the Nativity Projects has become a love affair to challenge children to engage in the activities associated with the making of nativity scenes as part of the Advent activities in more than eighty percent of the elementary schools in the Algonquin and

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

meet george’s neighbour

Journalist James Wood interviewing Tony Vella

Lakeshore Catholic District School Board. The board applauded the implementation of the ‘Keepsake Nativity’ project for the primary school students.

Today this project as well as the nativity exhibition has been included in the school curriculum for its value in the areas of religion, art, history and technology.

The Preca Nativity collection currently has more than four hundred exhibits, some of which include sets from around the world, traditional and modern day nativities, stand alone figurines, ornamental dishes, tactile items for children to play with during their visit. More than thirty countries have contributed. To date we await a contribution from Australia

and New Zealand. Traditional nativities would need to include local materials preferably crafted by indigenous people.

The 2014 Nativity Exhibition will feature Christmas Eve in the Canadian Artic. This is a great opportunity for visitors to this exhibition to imagine what it would have been if Jesus was in fact born in a local setting. An opportunity to challenge the imagination.

Tony Vella Co-ordinator tonylvella@gmail.com

How often I failed in my duty to God, because I was not leaning on the strong pillar of prayer. St. Teresa of Avila

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Privileged to have2014 served !

General Chapter Alan Gauci’s story (part 2) the Vice-Regions who did not know many of the Delegates well.

The General Chapter of the Society of Christian Doctrine held in April 2014 at the Dar il Hanin Samaritan Conference Centre Malta. During the Homily for the Opening Mass, Bishop Charles Scicluna referred to the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel. In this exhortation, Pope Francis encourages us to ‘go forth’ and become evermore a missionary Church. He uses five phrases to expound on the mandate to ‘go forth’. They are: taking the first step, being involved and supportive, bearing fruit and rejoicing. These were all relevant for us as our mission is aligned with being missionary wherever we are.

Reports on the work and commissions of the SDC were presented followed by questions and clarifications.

The discussions continued by general comments made by the Delegates until the report was voted on for approval.

The session then continued with the election of the Superior General, followed by that of the members of the Executive Council. The Elections saw Natalino Camilleri elected as Superior General for a six-year period, 2014-2019.

In his opening address, the Superior General, Natalino Camilleri referred to our ‘Mission and Identity’ document which spells out for us that in living the life of a Member in the SDC, we must commit ourselves to the notions of ‘unity and submission’. If we value these sentiments and work hand-in-hand which each other, then we will achieve our aims.

Each Member had the opportunity to be personally introduced. This was helpful especially with Members attending from Australia and Chapter in session

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A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal. Steve Maraboli

As the General Chapter was held during the Octave of Easter, we were able to reflect on the way Jesus chose to reveal himself to us. This occurred with Mary Magdalen and the Disciples at Emmaus.

Presently and with regard to our circumstances, we prayed that Jesus would be ever present to us today. Pope Francis reflected in his Easter Homily of our need to return to our ‘Galilee’. Our ‘Galilee’ is to remain conscious of the early beginnings of the SDC and the spirit of our Founder. As a consequence we are called to be loyal to the Gospel spirit of simplicity, humility and right intention. It is important that while we answer to the present reality we are not diverted by ‘values’ and do not get caught up in superficiality or pretence.

SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

Regional Centre 82 Westmoreland Road Nth Sunshine, Victoria 3020 Tel: 03 9364 9765 Fax: 03 9364 9765 Email: sdcpreca@optusnet.com.au

Meditation area of the Dar il Hanin Samaritan Conference Centre Malta But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

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A Visit to the Passionist Privileged to have served !

Generalate Rome Alan Gauci’sinstory (part 2) Prior to attending the General Chapter 2014 in Malta, SDC Members Angelo Abela and Peter Judge from Australia spent a few days in Rome.

We visited the Passionist Generalate and the Basilica of Ss John and Paul which is administered by the Passionists.

Basilica of Ss John and Paul

The Congregation of the Passion was founded in Italy

by St Paul of the Cross.

Paul was born on 3 January 1694 in the town of Ovada in northern Italy. His feast day is celebrated on 19 October.

During the visit we visited the room where St Paul of the Cross lived and died.

Paul dreamed of gathering companions who would live together in community and promote devotion to the Crucified Christ and the Sorrowful Mother.

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Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent. St John of the Cross

The room where the Father and Founder, St Paul of the Cross, lived and died on 18 October 1775.

Angelo and I casually made our way to Ss John and Paul only to stumble across every other church in this neighbourhood except that of Ss John and Paul. But no spot in Rome can show a cluster of more charming ‘accidents’; as there were many ancient sites to view on the way.

Finally succeeding in reaching the Generalate, we were greeted

by Fr Matteo Giuseppe Nonini being the Rector of Ss John and Paul the Generalate of the Passionists.

It took from 1720 to 1741twenty-one years of humble service as a hospital chaplain and travelling preacher to seek approval. He received initial rejection for this enterprise and finally received papal authority to found his religious congregation, “The Congregation of the Passion.�

Under the Basilica of Ss John and Paul is a structure, known as a church house where fourth century saints lived and are buried. The original church was built in 398CE above the house of the saints.

This was Frescoes in the church house under the Basilica of Ss John and Paul destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current facade them to his court. They and bell tower date from the refused the invitation because 12th century. Inside the the emperor had rejected church are 16th century God. Julian gave them a ten frescoes and 18th century day ultimatum to worship paintings.

Jupiter if they wanted to save their lives. They gave away Most of the frescoes in the the fortune and were later church house are from the decapitated.

4th century, with some having an early Christian Today only some parts are still theme, but a few date from pre ser ve d due to th e the 8th-12th centuries in construction of the basilica. rooms that were used through the medieval period. All the rooms were joined Evidence of use as an early together at the will of one of Angelo Abela, Fr Matteo Nonini cp and Christian place of worship its landlords during the third Peter Judge at Passionist Generalate were found in one part of the century. Another floor was Rome buildings.

The site is added and decorated with considered to be one of the frescoes. One of the most in Jerusalem, as well as best conserved ancient important frescoes is the one ancient Roman buildings.

Roman residential building of the praying figure, a person T i m e took control. complexes as well as a fine with raised arms. Many Nevertheless our visit to the example of an early Christian consider it one of the first basilica, the church house images of Christians. house church. and the room of St Paul of the Cross on the slope of the John and Paul, the two saints While in this area, we had Caelian Hill was more than were brothers. When the every intention of visiting the rewarding. daughter of the emperor fifth century basilica of St Julian gave them a great Stephen in the Round based Peter Judge sdc fortune to be distributed on eastern models or from the among the poor, he invited church of the Holy Sepulchre God passes through the thicket of the world, and wherever His glance falls He turns all things to beauty. St John of the Cross

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Architectural and served Liturgical Privileged to have ! Space SevenGauci’s New Churches in 2) Paris Alan story (part The city of Paris offers much in terms of riches, particularly in architecture.

During his time as Archbishop of Paris, from 1981–2005, Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, constructed seven new churches. The city today boasts a remarkable array of new churches with stunning architecture. The churches were integrated within the

city landscape so that their sign was visible to all. Built after the post-Vatican II liturgy and located in the heart of business districts, they function as places of quiet and centres for weekday Mass. The new churches have allowed for the social action extension to be an integral part of their buildings which is clearly an extension of liturgy.

Each of the churches fulfil several themes: they offer a place of welcome, they serve as a visible sign of the gospel in the city, and they embody a new aesthetic of beauty. Four of them are described here with the further three featured in a following issue of The MUSEUM.

NOTRE-DAME de la PENTECOTE 1 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92800 Puteaux Set among buildings in the business district outside of Paris, this church symbolises ‘the church in the modern world’. Built on three levels, the church precinct includes a restaurant, library and meeting rooms. The north side of the chapel is made of glass, casting light upon the altar and worship space.

The image of the Spirit, in the form of a dove, behind the sanctuary, broods over the world.

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The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

ST FRANCIS de MOLITOR 44 Rue Molitor, 75016 Paris This church built in 1996 and consecrated in 2005, is elliptical in shape, reminiscent of a ship which is a symbol of the Church on a mission. The congregation who gather face a large cross in front of a glass wall which seems as a living stained glass window. With a sloping floor gently to the altar, the sense of journey is heightened with the arrangement of the baptistery, altar and ambo.

NOTRE-DAME de la SAGESSE 2 Jean Place Vilar, 75013 Paris The church of Our Lady of Wisdom invites us into a place of meditation and reflection. This is a modest church with red brick which contrasts with the surrounding buildings. The church contains a stark interior with golden leaf backdrop to the altar. The wall in the Reconciliation Chapel in this church is engraved with the words: In secret you teach me wisdom.

(Ps 50)

You can see God from anywhere if your mind is set to love and obey Him. A.W. Tozer

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architectural and liturgical space

NOTRE-DAME de L'ARCHE D'ALLIANCE 81 Rue d'Alleray, 75015 Paris Translated as Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant this church is a cubic structure covered with an iron grid. The metallic netting that surrounds the church symbolises the incompleteness of the Church and we as its members. The tabernacle, made in acacia wood and covered in gold leaf, recalls the Ark of the Covenant.

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Prepare a path for God so that he can enter your heart. St John Baptist De La Salle

Society of Christian Doctrine founded by St George Preca