{"id":60335,"date":"2022-07-08T15:59:23","date_gmt":"2022-07-08T20:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/?p=60335"},"modified":"2025-06-13T07:36:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T12:36:03","slug":"renovated-sanctuary-at-the-church-of-the-gesu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/2022\/07\/08\/renovated-sanctuary-at-the-church-of-the-gesu\/","title":{"rendered":"Renovated Sanctuary at the Church of the Ges\u00f9"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I was in Rome this week and, never having lived there and had the chance to \u201cdo\u201d the city properly, on every short visit I make, I try to see something new.<\/p>\n

This trip I decided to visit the famous Church of the Ges\u00f9. This was not my first visit to this extremely significant monument of Christian art and architecture. But before my visit I saw online<\/a> that last month, on Sunday, June 12 last, the Jesuit Order rededicated its Mother Church, the a church of \u00a0the Ges\u00f9. The renovation of the sanctuary was made possible thanks to the support of the Fondazione Roma, with the approval of the Vicariate of Rome, the Soprintendenza Beni Culturali and the Fondo Edifici Culto del Ministero degli Interni.<\/p>\n

Pope Francis has commented many times recently that Vatican II will take one hundred years to fully implement and that we have another forty years of work ahead of us. So it is nice to see that some people are still working at renovating their churches to make them suitable for today\u2019s liturgy.<\/p>\n

Obviously Ges\u00f9 is a treasure house of significant Christian art (as well as having I been hugely influential as a model of a post-conciliar church in the wake of the Council of Trent). \u00a0But Rome is full of churches that have not been properly renovated since Vatican II and many appear more as a settings for art, rather than a true domus ecclesiae.\u00a0 <\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

But I think that most of us would be against gutting those old churches and throwing out or selling the artistic treasures of earlier generations. Therefore it is not an easy task to renovate a church like this. The heritage must be preserved, but the spiritual needs of today\u2019s worshipping community must also be provided for. \u00a0So knowing that Jesuits rarely do anything by half, I dedided to go and see what it was like.\u00a0 I arrived shortly before their evening Mass and after looking at the new sanctuary, I decide to stay for the celebration, as seeing a church in action is the best way to judge if a renovations actually works.<\/p>\n

The sacristan assured me that they were preparing some material on the renovation that would be available soon and I am sure that some of our Jesuit readers might want to add comments below (or even follow up articles correcting whatever mistakes I make). I did not take any photographs during the Mass itself, but I am sure that better photographs will soon be available elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Small church insurance is essential for managing the unique risks associated with such properties. The Small church insurance cost<\/a> is a key consideration for ensuring that the church is adequately protected against potential damages or liabilities that could arise during or after renovation projects. By investing in comprehensive insurance, churches can ensure that their historical and architectural treasures are preserved for future generations, while also navigating the challenges that come with renovations and ongoing upkeep.<\/p>\n

Renovating sacred spaces often involves more than just craftsmanship and reverence\u2014it requires foresight and protection. Historical churches, particularly those undergoing extensive interior or structural changes, are exposed to a wide range of risks, from accidental damage to theft of valuable liturgical items.<\/p>\n

These churches often serve as both spiritual centers and architectural landmarks, which makes the responsibility of preserving them all the more significant. It is vital that their administrators assess and secure proper insurance coverage well before construction begins, ensuring that every stained-glass window, antique altar, or wooden pew is safeguarded against unforeseen incidents.<\/p>\n

One effective way to begin this process is by exploring insurance quotes from simplyquote.co.uk<\/a>, which allows church leaders to compare different coverage plans with ease. This not only ensures that policies are tailored to the unique needs of their congregation and property but also helps in managing costs efficiently. Whether it’s protecting volunteers during community events or securing expensive restoration work, comprehensive insurance allows small churches to focus on their mission with confidence, knowing that their spiritual home is well protected in both function and form.<\/p>\n

The renovation consisted in removing the post Vatican II altar that used to be placed behind the altar rail and bringing the sanctuary forward into the middle of the dome. What I am assuming is a reliquary occupies the place where the original post-Vatican II altar once stood. The project architect, Francesco Schiavone accomplished his commission by adding \u00a0three circular platforms for the ambo, the altar and the presidential seat. These there pieces of liturgical furniture are new.\u00a0 I think they are made of bronze, but I didn\u2019t go beyond the barrier and touch them to find out.\u00a0 The other main new piece of liturgical art is a cross and baldacchino or crown over the altar. This crown is made from metal sheets; that are inscribed with an original Greek text taken from the last page of the Bible:<\/p>\n

\n

The Spirit and the bride say, \u201cCome.\u201d<\/p>\n

And let everyone who hears say, \u201cCome.\u201d<\/p>\n

The one who testifies to these things says, \u201cSurely I am coming soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!<\/p>\n

Revelation 22:17.20 \u2013 NRSV.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Staying for the Mass allowed me to experience that the overall renovation works well.\u00a0 In particular the church has an excellent sound system and the lighting is perfect. These are a particular obsession of mine and I was delighted to see that they were very well taken care of here.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s funny how once you start noticing good lighting, you see its importance everywhere\u2014even beyond church walls. That same attention to light and detail is something I\u2019m bringing into my new apartment, especially the closet room. A space like that isn\u2019t just for storage; it\u2019s where the day begins, so it needs to feel inviting and thoughtfully lit. Soft but effective lighting helps keep the space both functional and beautiful.<\/p>\n

While exploring options, I came across some playful yet elegant fixtures that could also work well in other rooms. One I especially liked was a deckenleuchte kinderzimmer<\/a>, originally meant for a child\u2019s room but surprisingly stylish and adaptable. Its whimsical charm adds warmth without overpowering the space\u2014perfect for a closet that doubles as a quiet retreat. Lighting like this reminds me that design can be both practical and a little bit joyful.<\/p>\n

The other elements of the sanctuary also worked well and everything allowed for a dignified liturgy.\u00a0 The platforms may look a little strange I the photographs, but they work very well. They don\u2019t call attention to themselves, while at the same time they facilitate a clear line of sight to the liturgical action from the whole church.<\/p>\n

If I may be allowed a few words of criticism, I would suggest that the altar is a little too small. It looked fine before Mass, but I thought it was too small and crowded once the Liturgy of the Eucharist started. Personally, I have a thing for big altars<\/a>, but I doubt that this altar would have gracefully held enough pattens and chalices to administer Communion to a full church, if they decided not to use the tabernacle and also allow everyone to receive under both Species.<\/p>\n

Additionally, I found the ambo to be a little insubstantial. It was slightly disconcerting to see that it only covered part of the lower half of the lector\u2019s body. This could be simply a personal preference of mine, but I like a big church to have a substantial ambo that matches the altar (see SC 51<\/a> And GIRM 28). Then on the other side a less substantial lectern (perhaps from plexiglass), might be provided for the celebrant, so that the impression of two pulpits can be avoided.<\/p>\n

Finally, and this is not really a reflection of the renovation, but the sanctuary is usually cordoned off by posts with retractable cordons (like in an airport line).\u00a0 These are perfect to protect the sanctuary from inquisitive liturgists during the day, but during Mass it would be much better to move the pillars to the side and not simply roll the material into them, leaving them in place during the liturgy.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, I was very happy with the renovation.\u00a0 The positive elements far outweigh my criticisms. I look forward to more complete expositions and better photos and I hope it will provide a great example to others who are responsible for properly renovating churches sixty years out from Vatican II.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Since 2020 he has also served as the Executive Secretary for Liturgy to the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference. He has studied at Seton Hall University (BA, MDiv), the University of Notre Dame (MA), and St Vladimir\u2019s Orthodox Theological Seminary (MTh). He holds a Doctorate in Theology (Ph.D.) from St Patrick\u2019s College, Maynooth and is in the process of completing a second doctorate (D.D) in the Pontifical Facultad de Teolog\u00eda Redemptoris Mater in Callao, Peru. Neil has published a translation of the Confessio of St. Patrick: St. Patrick: His Confession and Other Works (Totowa, NJ, 2009), as well editing the third edition of Fredrick Edward Warren\u2019s The Liturgy and Ritual of the Celtic Church (Piscataway, NJ, 2010). In 2011 the University of Notre Dame Press published The Eucharist in Pre-Norman Ireland an adaptation of his doctoral thesis and in 2017 the Alcuin Club published his Liturgical Orientation: The Position of the President at the Eucharist. His articles have appeared in The Irish Theological Quarterly, New Blackfriars, The Furrow and Antiphon. 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Neil Xavier O'Donoghue","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2024_09_NeiL_Portrait-96x96.jpeg?crop=1","url":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2024_09_NeiL_Portrait-96x96.jpeg?crop=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2024_09_NeiL_Portrait-96x96.jpeg?crop=1","caption":"Fr. Neil Xavier O'Donoghue"},"description":"Neil Xavier O\u2019Donoghue is originally from Cork, Ireland. He is a presbyter of the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ who has ministered in parishes on both sides of the Atlantic. He has spent many years as an academic mentor to seminarians. Neil currently serves as Programme Director for Liturgical Programmes at the Pontifical University and as Acting Director of the National Centre for Liturgy. Since 2020 he has also served as the Executive Secretary for Liturgy to the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference. He has studied at Seton Hall University (BA, MDiv), the University of Notre Dame (MA), and St Vladimir\u2019s Orthodox Theological Seminary (MTh). He holds a Doctorate in Theology (Ph.D.) from St Patrick\u2019s College, Maynooth and is in the process of completing a second doctorate (D.D) in the Pontifical Facultad de Teolog\u00eda Redemptoris Mater in Callao, Peru. Neil has published a translation of the Confessio of St. Patrick: St. Patrick: His Confession and Other Works (Totowa, NJ, 2009), as well editing the third edition of Fredrick Edward Warren\u2019s The Liturgy and Ritual of the Celtic Church (Piscataway, NJ, 2010). In 2011 the University of Notre Dame Press published The Eucharist in Pre-Norman Ireland an adaptation of his doctoral thesis and in 2017 the Alcuin Club published his Liturgical Orientation: The Position of the President at the Eucharist. His articles have appeared in The Irish Theological Quarterly, New Blackfriars, The Furrow and Antiphon. He writes a monthly article on some aspect of the theology of Pope Francis in the Messenger of St. Anthony and blogs regularly at PrayTell.","url":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/author\/nxodonoghue\/"}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_4777-copy-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/84"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60335"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67531,"href":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60335\/revisions\/67531"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}