Church and Shrine - an artistic jewel

As you go down the corridor from the Church to the Shrine note the stained glass windows by Richard King. They depict:

1. St. Simon Stock. A Kentish man who became Prior General of the Order in 1247 and died in Bordeaux in 1265. Our tradition associates him with a strong devotion to the Mother of God.

2. St. Brocard. The Carmelite Rule was given by Albert the Patriarch of Jerusalem to Brocard in about 1209. Hence the scroll in his hand.

3. The Prophet Eliseus (or Elisha). In the Old Testament Elisha was a disciple of the Prophet Elijah, and when Elijah went to heaven Elisha received his prophetic spirit.

4. The Prophet Elias (or Elijah). Elijah was one of the great prophets of the Old Testament. He lived on Mount Carmel and was 'Zealous for the Lord of Hosts". Tradition has it that he went up to heaven in a fiery chariot.

It is thought that when the artist created the stained glass he depicted the features of four Carmelites living at that time, Fr. Joe Kelly (Ireland), Fr. Patrick Geary, Fr. Kilian Lynch and Fr. Malachy Lynch.

The Outer Shrine Area
(Previously the Baptistery)

Note the two great Archangels etched in the glass, flank the doorway as Guardians and reminders of the Communion of Saints. They carry the instruments of the Passion.

Adam Kossowski was an eminent artist who did a considerable amount of work on religious subjects for the Carmelites, especially at Aylesford. In the entrance to the Church and the Shrine are Holy Water stoops by him. Within the outer shrine there are the three ceramic plaques in the Outer Shrine area including one of the martyrdom of St. Jude. St. Jude is traditionally depicted with a club in his hand. This stems from the tradition that he was clubbed to death for his fidelity to Christ. The ceramic depicts this moment of human brutality - perhaps this is a moment for prayer for those in the modern world who suffer the same fate for their beliefs.

The stained glass windows were installed about 1957. They were executed by Richard Joseph King (1907-1974). He was born in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland, and entered Harry Clarke's stained glass studio in 1928, and became manager of the studio from 1935-40. He then worked independently on his own commissions. He was also an admirer of the works of Eric Gill.

This series of windows can be compared to similar windows made for the Church of Swinford in Mayo in the 1950's. The artist also did a picture of Our Lady of Mount Carmel for the Carmelite Church in Aberystwyth.

The windows in the Outer Shrine area are from left to right

1. The Resurrection of Christ. Note the crosses of Calvary in the background on the right. The angel of the resurrection on the bottom right and Pieta on the bottom left reflect the passion and resurrection theme. The letters INRI on the top of the cross Christ is carrying. Christ displays wounds in his hands. The ChiRho (PX) is the early christian symbol of Christ. The star of Bethlehem in the background on the left is a reference to the birth of Christ. This symbol is balanced by the crosses on the right which refer to his death. Rays coming from heaven are seen behind the Christ figure. The influence of cubism in the. handling of the composition is particularly seen in the interaction between Christ's halo and the cross, and in the handling of the empty tomb at the bottom of the picture. Note also the symbolic treatment of colour: red and white symbolise passion and resurrection, yellow, white and blue are also resurrection colours favoured by King.

2. Mary and the Christ Child with the Holy Spirit. The serpent behind is seen as a reference to domination over evil. The serpent and the crescent shape of half moon just visible at the bottom right of the window signify Mary's Immaculate Conception, which was a theme which King depicted often. King was interested in the close relationship of Mary and Christ. The importance of the Holy Spirit is shown in the circular shape of the wings of the dove surrounding the heads of Mary and Christ and the rays which come down from heaven. The red cross against the white background in Christ's halo is a reference to his cross and resurrection. The cross and M seen in the front of the Christ Child are symbols of Mary and Christ.

3. God the Father The hand of God raised in blessing with the sceptre across his left shoulder. He is surrounded by rays. God is presented as a King, but also with a cloud or halo in the shape of a triangle, traditional symbols of God the Father and of the Trinity. Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end are seen on the left. The Father created the earth and water, moon and stars, Adam and Eve. Moses and the Ten Commandments. The serpent and the cross may be a reference to the bronze serpent on the staff of the time of Moses , and to the Garden of Eden as shown by Adam and Eve and the tree of knowledge. It also refers to Christ overcoming evil. Water is seen coming from the rock, again a reference to Moses. There are links between the Old and the New Testament. Again the artist has used reds and pinks especially in the garments of God.

Through the archway is the Shrine Chapel. Suspended from the ceiling are twelve large votive lamps in silver, symbolising the twelve Apostles.

Note the windows, again the work of Richard King.

Triple light at the back of the Shrine Chapel

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (with the Scapular in her hand) and the Christ-Child with a scapular and dove, with attendant angels on a rainbow. The rainbow imagery here refers to the Old Testament story of Noah in the Book of Genesis. The dove seen above the hands of the Christ Child, could again refer to the dove bringing the olive leaf to Noah, but Christ is also seen as the bringer of peace.

Triple light behind the altar

Christ on the Cross vested as a priest, while below are seen the hands of a priest celebrating Mass with host and chalice. The offered host seen in the centre of a Cross, which is placed above a chalice, emphasises the idea of sacrifice. On either side are the souls in purgatory.

Beneath the stained glass are three plaques by Adam Kossowski - the centre plaque depicting the Crucifixion is visible here - this is flanked by the two angels visible at the top of this page.

Statue of St. Jude

The statue of the Apostle which is the heart of the Shrine is fifteenth century gilt and polychrome wood. It was a gift from Mr & Mrs Murphy. It is a memorial to two of their sons, Matthew and Michael, who both died in action in the Second World War. Their son who was missing in action, and was later found, did however die later in action.

The mural panels are by Michael Leigh A.R.C.A., who worked on various Churches including some of the mosaics in Westminster Cathedral. He designed the Shrine, also the mosaic apse, ironwork and the exterior frieze in mosaic.

Originally there were eight mural panels in subdued fresco colour and tone. The theme was "Great Visionaries and Mystics". The panels are in oil and finished in dry tempera which gives a very pleasing pastel effect. These pictures have been
done in the mood of E1 Greco, the great Spanish mystical painter. E1 Greco gave to his saints a' length beyond the normal, in order to heighten the effect. Moreover, he was the artist of strong light and shade. His brush was fierce, clear and uncompromising.

ST PAUL on the road to Damascus. He shades his eyes with his arm as if to keep out the revelation of God. "Saul, why persecuteth thou me?" That was the striking note of a universal Church, because in him God chose a travelling man.

THE REPENTANT PETER. A wonderful study of the Prince of the Apostles, humble and in disgrace; the cocked as his undying reminder. No crossed keys; that was to come later.

ST JOHN OF THE CROSS. The great Spanish poet and mystic, whose poetry will live on, as long as people can read. "In the evening of life you will be judged on love."

ST TERESA OF AVILA. The foundress of the Discalced Nuns. The Interior Castle is seen on the top left.

The two large candles either side of the altar were donated to the Shrine by clients of St Jude as memorial candles. Their names are on the pedestals.

The Inner Shrine

The reliquary which stands in the inner shrine is known as the Augsberg Reliquary. It is a modern copy of a silver monstrance dated 1547, and it has been modified to display the relic, a bone fragment, of St. Jude.

The veneration of relics raises all kinds of questions in the modern world.

If you click on the image of the reliquary you can access an extract from an excellent text by the eminent Carmelite theologian Fr. Christopher O'Donnell, O.Carm. which you may find helpful.

The carvings of the Twelve Apostles round the apse in the inner Shrine are by Anthony Foster. He was Eric Gill's principal assistant, and Gill had a very high opinion of his work. The design was based on the Malmesbury Apostles. Note St. Paul has been substituted for Judas Iscariot.

For security reasons this area is enclosed by a wrought iron gate. Inside the gate on either side, although hidden from sight, are two panels in aggrafito work by Adam Kossowski, one bearing the names of the Apostles, and the other the Apostles Creed, embellished with early Christian symbols. The lettering and ornamentation are in red and black, and the effect is obtained by laying a foundation of red and black plaster, then covering it with an off-white plaster, and while the latter is still moist cutting away the lettering with a stylus to reveal the colours beneath.