O ke kea hemolele kou malamalama
(The Holy Cross be my light)
Inscription found within St. Benedict Parish, Hawaii, HI.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:18-20)
On our recent trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, my wife and I had a great deal of breath- taking, amazing experiences. We watched the sunset from a hill some 10,000 feet up the side of the world's tallest mountain (including that part of it which under water), stood unsettlingly close to the edge of numerous cliffs, walked across a barren lava field, and hiked through a rain forest in the middle of the night.
As unbelievable as all of these spectacular sights and adventures were, one surprising, seemingly mundane fact remained apparent to me the entire time we were there: just how Christian Hawaii is.
While the ancient beliefs of the native Hawaiians are ever-present across the island, – including the fear that Pele, goddess of the volcano may send a curse of bad luck home with you should you think to leave the island with a lava rock souvenir–he work of the missionaries that arrived there in 1820 is also obvious. The Hawaiians, having shed a great deal of their ancient laws and religious beliefs, or "the Kapu system", were in the perfect position to accept the Gospel, and from 1837-1840, nearly 20,000 Hawaiians became Christians.
Nowhere are the efforts of these missionaries more apparent than within St. Benedict Parish.
Perched on the slopes of the 13,680 foot volcano Mauna Loa, St. Benedict Parish, known to tourists and locals alike as "The Painted Church," sees thousands of visitors step through its arched doorway every year.
So why is it called "The Painted Church?"
In 1899, Father John Berchmans Velge became the resident priest at St. Benedict's. He relocated and restored/rebuilt the small parish 2 miles up the slope of the mountain from its original place on the Kona coast. After the relocation, Father John, a self-trained artist, began decorating the inside walls of the church with murals depicting biblical and religious scenes using ordinary house paint. Popular belief is that Father John painted these scenes in an effort to better communicate the biblical stories to his parishioners, the converted native Hawaiians.
The murals, situated on 6 large panels lining the sides of the sanctuary, depict the writing on the wall (from the book of Daniel), the temptation of Christ, Eve discovering Abel, a vision of Hell, and 2 scenes of Catholic history. The ceiling is painted to mimic the vaulted ceiling of a European cathedral, and each of the 6 columns running through the center aisle feature spiritual verses in the native Hawaiian language. Images of Paul, Peter, John the Baptist, and Joseph are also depicted near the altar.
The church really is a sight to see, and made all the more fascinating when you consider Father John's lack of artistic training and lack of materials.
Lord, provide us with the tools necessary to spread your word to those who need it most. Let all the good we do in your name endure, serving as a symbol of your love and compassion for generations to come. Amen
Visit St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church
Contributed by Michael
Monday January 26, 2015
Liturgical Year B: Week 9
Liturgical Color: Green
Sunday Gospel reading: Epiphany3
Third Sunday after the Epiphany