100 years ago, Pope Pius XI instituted a new feast in response to rising secularism – the Feast of Christ the King, honoring Christ’s reign above all earthly rulers. Taking place on the last Sunday in the liturgical year, this day reminds believers to totally surrender their wills and hearts to Christ’s sovereignty in their lives. While temporal powers will fade away, Christ’s reign and kingdom remain eternal.
As we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, this week, we invite you to discover five breathtaking pieces of art where Jesus is portrayed at America’s Catholic Church.
1. The Redemption Dome Mosaic: The Resurrection
Spanning 3,780 square feet, the Redemption Dome has four different sections which each depict a different redemptive act of Jesus: the Crucifixion, the Descent into Hell, the Temptation in the Desert, and the Resurrection. As the culminating moment of the piece, this portrayal of the Resurrection evokes a sense of awe and triumph. Jesus is shown surrounded by golden light, crowned with an aureole and victoriously holding a banner with St. George’s Cross, while the Roman guards slumber at His feet. At the entrance of the tomb, the angel rolls away the stone, just as Jesus through His death removed the barrier between us and the Father forever.
2. The Ascension Mosaic in the Rosary Garden
In the Rosary Garden, the moment of Christ’s Ascension is brought to life in brilliant blue and white tile mosaic. Found in the second arch, this portrayal depicts Jesus with His arms spread wide as He is lifted into the clouds, exuding a presence of peace and omniscience. This mosaic is one of 20 total mosaics in the Rosary Garden portraying the different decades of the rosary – the Glorious, Joyful, Sorrowful, and Luminous mysteries. The Rosary Walk and Garden mosaics were designed by Martin V. Rambusch and delineated by David Gavasheli of the Rambusch Decorating Company.
3. The Trinity Dome
One of the Basilica’s largest portrayals of Jesus is found in the Trinity Dome in the Great Upper Church. In this 31.5 foot-tall portrayal, Jesus is depicted beside God the Father and the Holy Spirit (as represented by a dove). A blue and white aureole crowns His head, and He wears robes of white and red. In one hand He holds a cross, while the other hand is extended towards the Father.
The largest and final dome to be completed in the Great Upper Church, the Trinity Dome mosaic spans a staggering 18,300 square feet and is made up of over 14 million pieces of glass.
4. The Second Coming Mosaic
Located in the Great Upper Church, The Second Coming mosaic features a powerful depiction of Christ’s return, as described in Mark 13:26-27:
“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather [his] elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.”
In this mosaic, an 18-foot figure of Christ appears amidst clouds of glory, reaching out to those on earth. To either side of Jesus, Our Lady and other saints who faithfully followed Him can be seen watching in adoration as He returns, while those who have turned away from Him are signified by the people in distorted shades of blue and green. The mosaic serves as a reminder of the hope that we have in Christ, who has conquered death and will one day return to establish the new heaven and earth.
Designed by artist Mary Reardon and installed by Ravenna Mosaic company, The Second Coming mosaic and The Creation mosaic were the first Basilica mosaics that employed a computer to measure the size and number of the flat tiles that would fit into the curved ceiling.
5. The Christ in Majesty Mosaic
Perhaps the most prominent portrayal of Christ’s kingship in the Basilica is the Christ in Majesty mosaic, culminating the story of Christ told by the five domes of the Great Upper Church. One of the largest mosaics of Christ in the world, it spans 3,610 square feet and features 3,000 different shades of Venetian glass tiles – including 300 shades of red alone. Not only was it the first completed mosaic of the Great Upper Church, but it was also the only ornamentation on the Shrine’s dedication day on November 20, 1959.
In creating this design, artist John De Rosen was inspired by the words of Isaiah – “Who is this that comes … in crimsoned garments … arrayed in majesty.” (63:1-2). Here, the Kyrios or the Lord in glory and majesty, sits upon a rainbow throne, symbolizing pardon and reconciliation. While His bared right shoulder reveals His humanity and wounded side, His face bears an expression of overarching power. This is the Christ of unworldly, cosmic power – the final judge (indicated by His raised left brow), who comes also with the love and mercy of the Good Shepherd (indicated by His relaxed right brow.) His jeweled halo symbolizes His divinity, while the scarlet cloak represents His role as Redeemer.
Source:
Rohling, Geraldine M., PhD, MAEd. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Guide and Tour Book. Washington, D.C.: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 2018.