Now this particular mural is rather unique insofar as it was made to be moveable. Specifically:
The mural is painted in the format of a high-quality theatrical backdrop that can be rolled and unrolled, transported, and stored as needed, which is highly versatile for a multi-functional space such as a gym.
Obviously this was done for practical reasons; namely, it was meant for use within a multi-function space (in this case, a gymnasium), a situation that doesn't particularly facilitate a more permanent mural installation. While this doesn't apply to regular church or chapel scenarios, I wanted to highlight this particular possibility because it strikes me that such a solution could be something that could be applied in other situations as well. In that regard it is worth being aware of this potentiality.
For example, we not infrequently see situations where a parish or community are required to setup a temporary chapel space for worship (perhaps for reasons of renovations in their church for example); in other instances we might see a circumstance where a community wishes to create a more devotional and beautiful liturgical space for worship but they are a guest in someone else's space and so a permanent solution isn't feasible.
Beyond these circumstances, one can also think of other situations that might benefit from a backdrop like this, such as for the temporary altars setup for Adoration and Benediction during Corpus Christi processions, or even for use as Lenten veils. In short, there are various potential applications for a solution such as this, so it is worth taking note of.
As for the content of the mural, New Jerusalem Studios continues:
[The mural] measures 20' wide and 25' high and features Christ Crucified and ascended to Glory with Mary, Queen of Heaven, at the center of the restored cosmos, surrounded by adoring angels, reminiscent of the cherubim of the Arc of the Covenant in the Old Testament. Mary is the perfect, sinless vessel and the new Tabernacle of Christ. It is painted in a style heavily influenced by the Beuronese School with elements of both Eastern and Western liturgical art traditions - more stylized figures, yet more realistic faces. A suggestion of the Temple and the Holy of Holies is seen behind the figure of Christ, as Christ is the new Temple, and one can also see the torn veil represented in red to show the sacrifice, the tearing of his own body, signifying the end to Old Testament sacrifice and the beginning of worship in spirit and truth. The blood and water pour from his side, which is the birth of the church, and the streams of living water flow out, as in the vision of Revelation, nourishing the garden of the heavenly Jerusalem, the restored Garden of Eden, and all the subjects in the kingdom of heaven. Mary is depicted alone at the foot of the cross, for she was bound to Christ in a singular way and suffered with him like no other. She is shown in the garments and posture of the Immaculate Conception, yet she also wears the dark cloak of Our Lady of Guadalupe, suggesting that she is with child. She stands as the woman in Genesis, with her foot on the head of the serpent and her head crowned with 12 stars. As the heavenly Jerusalem has 12 gates, she is the gateway to the graces of Christ. The stylized palm trees, plants, and flowers evoke a restored Garden of Eden. As our first mother, Eve, led to the fall of all mankind, Mary’s willingness to participate with God’s grace led to the restoration of humanity and the undoing of the Fall through Christ’s sacrifice. She is the new Eve, standing at the foot of the new Tree of Life, the Cross. The saints featured are St. Junipero Serra, St. John Paul II, and St. Agnes on the left, with St. Catherine of Siena, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Francis of Assisi on the right. Each is holding an object symbolic of their ministry on earth or martyrdom, which helps identify them in sacred art representations.
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| The complete mural |
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| Detail of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
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| The Virgin crushing the serpent. |
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| St. Junipero Serra, St. John Paul II, and St. Agnes |
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| Detail: St. Agnes |
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| St. Catherine of Siena |
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| St. Francis of Assisi |
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| One of the six-winged seraphim found on the piece |
If you are interested in learning more about the work of New Jerusalem Studios, we would invite you to visit their website or to find them on social media.
