Online Edition:
June-July 2013
Vol. XIX, No. 4
Table of Contents
Madonna & Child Enthroned (1479) tempera and gold on panel, by Dominico Ghirlandaio (private collection)
Dominico Ghirlandaio (c 1449-1494) was a Florentine painter of the early Renaissance, whose birth name was Domenico di Tommaso Bigordi. His father was a silk merchant and goldsmith — which likely gave rise to the name Ghirlandaio, a gold garland.
Ghirlandaio’s work displays the realism and perspective that developed in the early Renaissance. He was one of Michelangelo’s teachers.
Ghirlandaio’s paintings, both tempera on wood and fresco, are found in churches in Florence and Rome, and can be seen in the Sistine Chapel.
The Madonna and Child Enthroned dates from 1479. In the foreground are Saints Peter (on the left, with a key) and Paul (on the right with a sword). Behind Peter is probably Pope Saint Clement (though the papal tiara was not used by early popes, it was later used by artists to identify them). The identity of the saint with a spear behind Paul is uncertain, though it is likely Saint Thomas. As in the depiction of Paul, who was martyred with a sword, saints were shown holding an identifying attribute, usually indicating the means of their martyrdom. (Often the family who commissioned a painting such as this wanted patron saints of their families included.)
Table of Contents:
News & Views — Worldwide Solemn Eucharistic Adoration on Corpus Christi in the Year of Faith | Vatican Museum: "Beauty to Be Heard" | Veterum Sapientia Latin Study Program | Liturgy and Doctrine Linked, says CDF Head | A Prayer for the New Evangelization in the Year of Faith | Prayer for Religious Freedom
The Eucharist — by Thomas Howard
Hymn Tune Propers — A First Step toward Singing the Propers of the Mass — by Kathleen Pluth
The Need for Beautiful Churches — and some encouraging ideas and examples — Art Lohsen
Abba — Close to the Father in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre — by Robert J Gieb
Readers’ Forum — AB Happy Discovery! | Eucharistic Prayer, Lectionary | Mass Questions | Music "Style Wars" Revisited | "Gestures" in Spanish? | Communion Service Questions
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O God, who on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul give us the noble and holy joy of this day, grant, we pray, that your Church may in all things follow the teaching of those through whom she received the beginnings of right religion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
For by your providence the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul bring us joy: Peter, foremost in confessing the faith, Paul, its outstanding preacher,
Peter who established the early Church from the remnant of Israel,
Paul, master and teacher of the Gentiles that you call.
And so, each in a different way gathered together the one family of Christ; and revered together throughout the world, they share one Martyr’s crown.
— Collect and Preface
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
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