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Home , Anne Line, Edmund Arrowsmith, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas More

prayers and at st. 1 Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; M and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from .

Amen.

2 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 3 M

4 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 5 Contents

8 Map

9 Locations

11 Prologue

15 Introduction

17 Stations of the Cross

19 Altar and Sanctuary

26 Altar Murals

36 Sculptures

55 Music

59 Stained Glass

61 Prayer Gardens and

73

77 Architectural Details

81 Design and

85 Legacy

92 Book Notes

6 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 7 1

Ransom’s Garden is South of the Chapel 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Locations 5 6

7 4 1 7 8 The Altar Santuary

1 Crucifix 1 Altars

2 St. Simon Stock and 2 Heart of Mary

3 St. Hilda of Whitby. 3 in the Tomb

3 St. and 4 St. Scholastica

St. Aelred of Rievaulx 5 St.

2 6 9 8 4 St. Winifred and 6 St. John Vianney

Cardinal St. 7 St. Agnes

5 10 5 St. Cardinal and 8 St.

St. 9 St. Cecilia 4 11 6 St. Anne Line and St. 3 12 7 St. and Shrines and Prayer Gardens

St. Edmund Arrowsmith 1 Our Lady of Life

St. Elizabeth 2 13 2 Our Lady of Grace Prayer Garden Ann Seton Stations of the Cross 3 St. Courtyard Courtyard 1 14 2 4 Holy Family | Ransom’s Garden 3 1 Jesus is Condemned to Die. 9 2 Jesus Carries His Cross. 3Stained Glass Our Lady of 3 Jesus Falls the First . Grace Prayer 1 Agnes Dei (east window) Garden 4 Jesus Meets His Mother. 2 Mary, Mother of the Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross 2 5 (west window) 6 Veronica Wipes Jesus’ Face 7 Jesus Falls a Second Time Entry Plaza

8 Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem. 1 St. Thomas More Sculpture 2 9 Jesus Falls a Third Time.

10 Jesus is Stripped.

11 Jesus is Nailed to the Cross.

12 Jesus Dies on the Cross.

13 Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross. St. Thomas More 1 14 Jesus is Laid in the Tomb. 1 Entry Statue Our Lady of Life is North at the corner of Stinson and Jenkins

8 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 9 Prologue

On November 7, 1926, a “graceful little Gothic building” that still stands at 717 West Boyd, was dedi- cated Mater Admirabilis (“Mother Most Admirable”) Chapel, a church to serve University of Oklahoma students, faculty, staff and their families. It was built to hold 175 .

10 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 11 Mater Admirabilis Chapel In 1959, the chapel’s name was changed to St. Thom- as More Chapel by its newest pastor, convinced that a There are pigeons on the roof of the little chapel scholar and attorney to be a more fitting patron for a That belongs to the Mother of ; on a university campus. On Sep- White and purple and gray and dapple, tember 23, 1979, a new church and gathering place They preen their feathers and promenade. for Catholic students at the corner of Jenkins Avenue and Stinson Street was dedicated with a capacity for Come out, come out, O Mother of God, 435. The design, with its use of simple lines, unpre- Come out, for the sun is bright tentious redwood and clerestories filling the space And radiant in God’s own face, with natural light, was recognized as one of the best And the pigeons dance to do you grace; in Oklahoma by the American Association of Ar- Come out into the light. chitects. Almost immediately, the parish saw that the building was not large enough for their growing They wheel in the air and they turn in the light community. After multiple attempts to raise the nec- And they walk in stately procession, essary funding, a new St. Thomas More Church, with While the near God’s altar white a capacity of 750, was dedicated on December 21, Makes her endless intercession. 2019. This is the Prayer for St. Thomas More Parish, prayed at every Mass during the four years leading up Come out, come out, O Mother of God, to its completion: Come out, for the sky is blue; Yes, bluer than your painted robe Is heaven’s dome above this globe, and gracious God And the pigeons dance for you. Architect of our lives and Master builder of our destiny You a morning will come, so dewy and fair Look with favor upon our parish family. That the Mater Admirabilis Increase our faith. Will leave her pale candles and her prayer Show us your will for this holy ground To watch the pigeons’ bliss. That we may create room in our hearts And in this place Come out, come out, O Mother of , For all who seek to worship you. Come out this very day, Amen. For the pigeons pirouette for you; On a golden roof, under heaven’s deep blue, Father James Aubrey Goins They dance who cannot pray.

Altha Leah Bass Sooner Magazine (1929)

12 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 13 Introduction

Taken from a series of talks by Father James Goins, pastor, in 2020.

Art in a church serves two purposes. The first is to glorify God with and color and craft but the art in a Catholic church is also for the purpose of teaching the faithful. When we visit Catholic churches, we often see the illustration of Biblical sto- ries and scenes from lives of the . At St. Thomas More, much of our art is centered on the life of Christ as seen through our Stations of the Cross that surround this sacred space. We chose the saints and depicted over the altar to show a “cloud of witnesses” that our English patron, Thomas More, would have known or venerated and to give context, through their stories, to the church that birthed his fervor. We chose great heroes of faith to show that saints are not faraway figures but humans that we can relate to in our daily lives and to teach young Catholic college students that the saintly life is both desirable and possible. Our church is a depiction of the English church that produced our patron and our goal is to highlight the saints that produced the great of the English Catholic Church. With the statuary on the altar, we wanted to images of saints who are in particular com- munion with our ministry here on the University of

14 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 15 Oklahoma campus. When facing the altar, from left to right, we first see St. Scholastica, a very learned wom- Stations of the Cross an and abbess, of students, test-takers and The Stations of the Cross were rescued from a re- the weather, a reference to ou’s standing as a leader in cently closed Catholic church in Connecticut and the study of and the National Weather are estimated to be over 100 years old. Although they Center located only about a mile from our church. were in remarkable condition upon arriving in Nor- Next, St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the greatest thinkers man, we are grateful to artist and ou professor Sohail in church history, recognized as the patron saint of Shehada for restoring them to their original beauty. academics, a saint for all Catholic students and a shin- The cabinets holding each Station were designed by ing light for the , the bedrock Catholic belief, Krittenbrink Architecture. that the life of , the life of learning, the life of study, will lead you to God; this Catholic confidence that science and the social sciences and the and philosophy, that all of these learning spheres will lead your to God. To the right of the high altar stands St. John Vianney, patron of seminarians and priests, a reminder to the young men in the parish of the call- ing to the priesthood and a reminder to me, as your parish priest, of the holiness of my duties to you. I that his image and his memory, his presence will guide many young men to think about and to discern priesthood. Finally, one of our first acquisitions for the new church, St. Agnes, who according to tradition is the patron saint of betrothed couples. Couples who are preparing for the sacrament of marriage are urged to pray for the intercession of St. Agnes. The signature piece of our building project, the statue of St. Thomas More “in the dock” that stands at the main entrance, reminds us that “no temporal pow- er has authority over the church.” The bronze sculp- ture of St. Elizabeth Seton, the first saint to be born The First Station Jesus is Condemned to Die. in what would become the United States of America and the patron saint of Catholic , graces our newest prayer garden.

The Second Station: Jesus Carries His Cross.

16 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 17 The Third Station: The Fourth Station: The Fifth Station: The Ninth Station: The Tenth Station: The Eleventh Station: Jesus Falls the First Time. Jesus Meets His Mother. Simon Helps Jesus Carry Jesus Falls the Third Time. Jesus is Stripped. Jesus is Nailed to His Cross. the Cross.

The Sixth Station: The Seventh Station: The Eighth Station: The Twelfth Station: The Thirteenth Station: The Fourteenth Station: Veronica Wipes Jesus Falls the Jesus Meets the Women Jesus Dies on the Cross. Jesus is Taken Down Jesus is Laid in the Tomb. Jesus’ Face. Second Time. of Jerusalem. from the Cross.

18 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 19 Altars and Sanctuary

Nathan Deal, 2020

The high altar and free standing altar are both con- structed out of red oak using about ninety-nine percent traditional wood joints with very few metal fasteners (nails or screws). Each of the curved pieces you see were created by bent lamination. The capitals, finials, the prayer, and the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus were all carved by hand. The tables on both altars are marble from Spain, rojo (red) Alicante (a province in Spain). Five crosses are etched in each slab, one in each corner and one in the center. These crosses symbolize the five wounds of Christ and the ultimate sacrifice He gave for our . In the free stand- ing altar are the of Blessed and St. James. The high altar contains the relics of St. Ma- ria Goretti and Pius X. The history of the relics used in the altars stems from the tradition from the early church during their persecution by Rome. The Christians would meet in the crypts of Rome in secret to celebrate Mass. They would use the tombs of those venerated by the early church as their altars and that tradition is carried through today. This is one of the the priests kisses the altar, in recognition of the saints who have gone before us.

20 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 21 On the front of the free standing altar is an image of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. If you look closely, you will notice that the heart is rugged and rough. I chose to leave the heart in this condition because of a prayerful carving session I had. The death of Christ was the most brutal method known to the Romans, it tore Christ apart and bruised him and flayed him. Because of this brutality, it became the most powerful symbol in the world of God’s for us. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is likewise beaten and imperfect to remind us that true love requires sacrifice. On the back of the free standing altar, I wanted to do a special gift for Fr. Jim and asked what image he would like to have that only those who serve behind the altar can see. He respond- ed with a prayer that is used by all priests quietly during the Eucharistic prayer of the Mass. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who by the will of the Father and the work of the through your death gave life to the world, free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood, from all my and from every evil; keep me always faithful to your commandments, and never let me be parted from you. From a distance, the high altar looks beautiful and flawless, however the closer you get, the more imperfections you will be able to find. On the high altar you will see statues of saints, candles with illuminating light, and most importantly the taber- nacle with Christ reposed in the center. What I have discovered through my prayers is that the high altar is symbolic of the human person. Our lives may look presentable from a distance, worthy of , but as we

22 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 23 allow people to come closer, we are allowing them to see our imperfections and our brokenness. If we are a people of faith, we will be a people that have allowed Christ to enter the doors of our hearts, to imitate Christ and the Saints of the Church. We will become candles that can help illuminate the path for others to heaven. If we live our lives according to that which is good, true, and beautiful, we imitate the direction and heights of the high altar, which point towards the heavens and the God who us. Those who perceive in themselves this kind of divine spark which is the artistic vocation—a poet, writer, sculptor, architect, musician, actor, and so on —feel at the same time the obligation not to waste this talent but to develop it, in order to put it at the service of their neighbor and of as a whole.

Nathan Deal, artisan and owner of Against the Grain Art, designed, built and did the carvings on both the high altar and free-standing altar. Nathan is a member of the parish and was also the first focus missionary from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.

24 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 25 St. Simon Stock St. Thomas Becket Holding the scapular which he is said to have received Killed by order of Henry II in the 11th century, a from Our Lady of Carmel. foreshadowing of the relationship between Thomas More and Henry VIII. He died by the sword, O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, which he is holding, a common image for martyrs Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, to be holding an item representing how they died. who brought forth the Son of God, Still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity. My Lord, O Star of the sea, help and protect me! I find it difficult to talk to you. Show me that Thou art my Mother. What can I say? I, who have turned away from you so O Mary, conceived without , often with indifference. pray for us who have recourse to Thee! I have been a stranger to prayer, under serving of your Mother and Ornament of Carmel, Pray for us! friendship and your love. Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us! I’ve been without honor and feel unworthy. Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us! I am a weak and shallow creature, clever only in the Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us! worldly arts, seeking my comfort and pleasure. St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us! I gave my love, such as it was, elsewhere, putting service to St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us! my earthly king before my duty to you. St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us! Please Lord, teach me how to serve you with all my heart, O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our salvation! To know at last what it really is to love, to adore. Amen. So that I may worthily administer your kingdom here on St. Simon Stock earth and find my true honor in observing your divine will. St. Hilda of Whitby Please Lord, make me worthy. Abbess, advisor to and patron of learning, From the play, Becket, by Jean Anouilh culture and poets. St. Aelred of Rievaulx Called to a conflict and a clash of cultures, Cistercian , historian and noted writer on Where insults flew whilst synod was in session, and also Christian friendship. You had the gift to find the gift in others, A woman’s , deftness and discretion. Grant to your people, Almighty God, a spirit of mutual You made a space and place for poetry affection, that following the example of your servant When outcast Caedmon, crouching in the byre, Aelred, we might know the in loving one Was called by grace into community another, and might rejoice in the gift of your eternal good- And local language joined the choir. ness; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now Abbess we need your help, we need your wisdom, and forever. Amen. Your strong recourse to reconciliation, From the Lectionary of the Episcopal Church Your power tempered by God’s hidden kingdom, Your exercise of true imagination. Pray for our synods now, princess of , That every fettered gift may find release. Malcolm Guite

26 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 27 St. Winifred St. Margaret Clitherow The great Welsh saint who is often invoked Was caught hiding priests in her house, is holding a board against pestilence. representing the door to her home that was placed on her and covered in stones that crushed her to death. O blessed Winifred, pure virgin and glorious , The Church is that one wherein so especially chosen, so divinely graced the true word of God is preached, and so wonderfully restored from death to life! which Christ left to His Apostles, Hope of all that fly unto you which the same Church hath always observed, with full confidence and ! the doctors preached, and We, though, unworthy, yet your devoted pilgrims, Martyrs and confessors witnessed. make our petitions to you. This is the Church I believe to be true.” Sanctuary of , look upon us with patient eyes; St. Margaret Clitherow receive our prayers, accept our offerings, and present our supplications at the of mercy, that through thy powerful intercessions Cardinal St. John Fisher God may be pleased to bless our pilgrimage, A contemporary of Thomas More’s and martyred just and to grant our requests and desires; one week prior to St. Thomas More. Also argued against through Christ our Lord. the of and King Henry VIII. Amen. Beheaded and his head was placed on a spike like the one From the Novena to St. Winifred he is seen holding.

Cardinal St. John Henry Newman Lord, according to Your promise that the should be Our most recently canonized saint; a man of and a preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such prolific author and scholar. Shown holding a book and work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were wearing red vestments, red symbolizing a cardinal’s will- baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost. ingness to shed blood for his faith. So, good Lord, do now in like manner again with Thy Church God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has militant; change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard committed some work to me which He has not committed to stone; set in Thy Church strong and mighty pillars that may another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but suffer and endure great labours, watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of cold and heat; which also shall not fear the threatening of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I princes, persecution, neither death but always persuade and think shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an of peace, with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and a preacher of in my own place, while not intending it if all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy Holy Name. I do but keep His commandments. Therefore, I will Him, By this manner, good Lord, the truth of Thy Gospel shall be whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, preached throughout all the world. my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He Therefore, merciful Lord, exercise Thy mercy, show it indeed does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take upon Thy Church. away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may Cardinal St. John Fisher, Prayer for Good Bishops make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about. St. John Henry Newman, The Mission of My Life

28 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 29 St. Anne Line St. Margaret Ward Mainted a safe house for priests in London, for Was caught helping a priest escape from prison and died by which she was eventually martyred. hanging and is seen here holding a rope.

“I am sentenced to die for harbouring a Catholic priest, O God, by whose gift strength is made perfect in weakness, grant to and so far I am from repenting for having so done, that all who honor the glory of blessed Margaret that she, who drew from I wish, with all my soul, that where I have entertained you the strength to triumph, may likewise always obtain from you one, I could have entertained a thousand.” the grace of victory for us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, St. Anne Line who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Roman Missal: Common of Martyrs for a Holy Woman Martyr

St. Edmund Campion “For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to these women, who despised A Jesuit priest ordained in France who secretly life in the world, and have reached the rewards of the kingdom and returned to after his ordination. Wrote washed their robes in the blood of the lamb.” and distributed pamphlets, like one he is holding, The Roman Missal: Entrance Antiphon for the about the one true Catholic Church, and lost his Mass for a Holy Woman Martyr life for it.

Father, St. Edmund Arrowsmith throughout the ages you inspire heroic Martyred almost a century after St. Thomas More, another men and women to preach your gospel heroic priest who died for serving Catholics and for his faith. and proclaim the truth of your love. We pray that the example of St Edmund Campion “Be witnesses with me that I die a constant Roman Catholic may encourage us to stand up for what it right; and for Christ’s sake; let my death be to hold to what is true; an encouragement to your going forward in the and to love even those who persecute us, Catholic .” for Christ’s sake. Edmund Arrowsmith, at the time of his execution Amen. Adrian Porter, S.J..

Note: Each of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales has their own feast day but they are recognized as a group every year on October 25.

30 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 31 Our Lady of Walsingham

Pray, O Holy Mother of God, for the conversion of England, of the sick, consolation for the afflicted, repentance of sinners, peace to the departed. O Blessed Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady of Walsingham, intercede for us.

Amen. Patroness of England

St. Thomas More

Give us, Lord, a humble, quiet, peaceful, patient, tender and charitable mind, and in all our thoughts, words and deeds, a of the Holy Spirit.

Give us, Lord, a lively faith, a firm hope, a fervent charity, a love of you. Take from us all luke warmness in meditation, dullness in prayer.

Give us fervor and delight in thinking of you and your grace, your tender compassion towards us.

The things that we pray for, good Lord, give us grace to labour for. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen. Prayer of St. Thomas More

32 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 33 St. George

Faithful and invincible martyr, Saint George; favored by God with the gift of faith, and inflamed with an ardent love of Christ, thou didst fight valiantly against the dragon of , falsehood, and deceit. Neither pain nor torture, sword nor death could part thee from the love of Christ. I fervently implore thee for the sake of this love to help me by thy intercession to overcome the temptations that surround me, and to bear bravely the trials that oppress me, so that I may patiently carry the cross which is placed upon me; and let neither distress nor difficulties separate me from the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Valiant champion of the Faith, assist me in the combat against evil, that I may win promised to them that persevere unto the end.

Amen. Patron of England

St. Joseph

Joseph, by the work of your hands and the sweat of your brow, you supported Jesus and Mary, and had the Son of God as your fellow worker. Teach me to work as you did, with and perseverance, for God and for those whom God has given me to support. Teach me to see in my fellow workers the Christ who desires to be in them,that I may always be charitable and forbearing towards all. Grant me to look upon work with the eyes of faith, so that I shall recognize in it my share in God’s own creative activity and in Christ’s work of our redemption, and so take pride in it. When it is pleasant and productive, remind me to give thanks to God for it. And when it is burdensome, teach me to offer it to God, in reparation for my sins and the sins of the world.

Amen. From Devotions to by Brian Moore, S.J.

34 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 35 Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me; Body of Christ, save me; Blood of Christ, inebriate me; Water from the side of Christ, wash me; Passion of Christ, strengthen me; O good Jesus hear me; Within your wounds hide me; separated from you, let me never be; From the evil one protect me; At the hour of my death, call me; And close to you bid me; That with your saints, I may be praising you forever and ever.

Amen. Prayer attributed to St. Ignatius Loyola

The Burial of Jesus, 1850, hand-carved wood, obtained from a closed Catholic church in Belgium.

36 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 37 Psalm 115

Not to us, Lord, not to us The Lord remembers us and will bless us: but to your name be the glory, He will bless his people Israel, because of your love and faithfulness. he will bless the house of Aaron, Why do the nations say, He will bless those who fear the Lord— “Where is their God?” small and great alike. Our God is in heaven; May the Lord cause you to flourish, he does whatever pleases him. both you and your children. But their idols are silver and , May you be blessed by the Lord, made by human hands. the Maker of heaven and earth. They have mouths, but cannot speak, The highest heavens belong to the Lord, eyes, but cannot see. but the earth he has given to mankind. They have ears, but cannot hear, It is not the dead who praise the Lord, noses, but cannot smell. those who go down to the place They have hands, but cannot feel, of silence; feet, but cannot walk, it is we who extol the Lord, nor can they utter a sound with both now and forevermore. their throats. Those who make them will be like Praise the Lord. them,and so will all who trust in them. All you Israelites, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. House of Aaron, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. You who fear him, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield.

38 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 39 Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Immaculate Heart of Mary, refuge of sinners, I beg of you by the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and by the graces God has granted to you since your , the grace of never going astray again.

Mother, keep me, a sinner, constantly bathed in the light of your Immaculate Heart.

Amen. The of St. Vincient de Paul maintians as special devotation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

40 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 41 St. Scholastica

O God, Who, to show the innocence of her life, didst cause the soul of Thy blessed Virgin Scholastica to ascend to Heaven in the form of a dove, grant, we beseech Thee, by her merits and prayers, that we may live so innocently as to deserve to arrive at eternal joys, through Jesus Christ, Thine only-begotten Son Our Lord, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, God, forever and ever.

Amen From the Litany to St. Scholastica St. Scholastica is the patron of students, test takers and weather.

42 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 43 St. Thomas Aquinas

Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, lofty origin of all being, graciously let a ray of Your brilliance penetrate into the darkness of my understanding and take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of both sin and ignorance. Give me a sharp sense of understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations, and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in completion; through Christ our Lord.

Amen. Prayer before Study, St. Thomas Aquinas St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron of academics and all Catholic students

44 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 45 St. John Vianney

God, please give to your Church today many more priests after your own heart. May they be worthy representatives of Christ the Good Shepherd. May they wholeheartedly devote themselves to prayer and ; be examples of humility and poverty; shining models of holiness; tireless and powerful preachers of the Word of God; zealous dispensers of your grace in the sacraments. May their loving devotion to your Son Jesus in the and to Mary his Mother be the twin fountains of fruitfulness for their ministry.

Amen Prayer for Priests, St. John Vianney St. John Vianney is the patron of priests and seminarians

46 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 47 St. Agnes

St. Agnes, although you were only a child, you believed that Jesus was always with you; help us to remember that he is also with us, and to remain true to his presence.

St. Agnes, you refused to give up your faith; help us to be proud of our faith, to love it, to be strong in it, and to give witness to it daily.

St. Agnes, patron saint of children, watch over the children of the world; keep them safe from harm; be with them in their hour of need; and always pray for them.

Amen St. Agnes is the patron of betrothed couples.

48 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 49 St. Joseph

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy, and , and defend us from every evil.

Amen , 2020, Year of St. Joseph St. Joseph is the patron of carpenters, laborers and fathers

50 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 51 St. Cecilia

Saint Cecilia, , wise virgin, Saint Cecilia, whose heart burned with the fire of Divine love, Saint Cecilia, apostle by thy zeal and charity, Saint Cecilia, who converted thy spouse and procured for him the crown of Martyrdom, Saint Cecilia, who by thy pleadings moved the hearts of pagans, and brought them into the true Church, Saint Cecilia, who didst unceasingly see thy by thy side, Saint Cecilia, who didst mingle thy voice with the celestial of the virgins, Saint Cecilia, who by thy melodious accents elebrated the praises of Jesus, Saint Cecilia, illustrious Martyr of Jesus Christ, Saint Cecilia, who during three days didst suffer most excruciating torments, Saint Cecilia, consolation of the afflicted, Saint Cecilia, protectress of all who invoke thee, Saint Cecilia, patroness of holy canticles, Saint Cecilia, special patroness and advocate of all singers, musicians, authors, and students,

We salute thee, O Virgin, who didst give thy blood for the defense and faith of Jesus Christ.

Amen St. Cecilia is patron of music and musicians

52 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 53 Music

Our liturgical and musical traditions have become a unique and integral part of the communal life at St. Thomas More. Inspired by the English Collegiate Church model, the choir consists of Staff Singers, Choral Scholars, and Lay Choristers who sing literature from the Gregorian and English schools of music. The musical tradition at St. Thomas More is one of the many links between the University and the Parish portions of our community, bring- ing both Catholic and non-Catholic members together to pray the Liturgy of the Hours and enjoy fellowship together. The E.M. Skinner pipe organ, originally built in 1923, is part of the architecture at St. Thomas More, complimenting the visual and aural aspects of our edifice. With a tonal inspired by the great romantic organ builders of England, craftsmanship carried out by innovative American builders, and a gothic wooden case, this 1,800-pipe handcrafted instrument is part of the very fabric of our church building. Liturgy is more than just a series of actions, it is something that involves all of the senses, so it is important to be aware of everything that we see, hear, touch, smell, and taste while experiencing the Divine. In our ritual practices we strive for what the Germans might call a Gesamtkunstwerk, or a Total . After all, the instruct us to praise God with all of our skill.

Nolan Patrick Reilly, M.Mus. (ou) Organist and Director of Music St. Thomas More University Parish

54 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 55 56 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 57 Stained Glass

Two stained glass windows designed and crafted by Emil Frei and Associates, St. Louis, Missouri adorn the space. To the east, Agnus Dei, Lamb of God, the ancient Biblical symbol of Christ and his sacrifice. The cross and flag stand for Christ’s victory over sin and death. This symbol was the ordination imagery for Father Goins’ ordination in 1992.

Agnus Dei, quitollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, quitollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, quitollis peccata mundi: dona nobis pacem.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.

On the west is Mary, Mother of the Church, Mater Ecclesiae, a title first used in the fifth century, holding an image of our own church safely in her arms. By decree of Pope Francis, the Memo- rial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, is to be celebrated every year on the Monday following Pentecost.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

58 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 59 Prayer Gardens and Shrines

There can be something very special about praying and reflect- ing outside the walls of our homes and churches, in places where God can speak to us through the beauty of his creation and away from distractions. We are graced at St. Thomas More with several spaces set aside on our campus for prayer, reflection, or simply gathering with friends and fellow parishioners. Each piece of our outside statuary was selected and placed to provide a focus point for our prayers and petitions and to remind us of the holy presence of God.

Lord make Me an instrument of Your peace Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness joy. O Divine master grant that I may Not so much seek to be consoled as to console To be understood, as to understand. To be loved. as to love For it’s in giving that we receive And it’s in pardoning that we are pardoned And it’s in dying that we are born... To eternal life

Amen. Prayer attributed to St. Francis

60 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 61 Our Lady of Life Shrine and Garden

Our Lady of Life Prayer Shrine and Garden was Father Jim Goins’ first project upon his arrival at St. Thomas More in2010 . It is located just north of Stinson Street, directly across from the entrance to the Student Center in what was for many years an empty lot. “I knew it was important to add a Marian shrine to the St. Thomas More campus, a place that would be welcoming and peaceful to all passersby, whether Catholic or not.” Located along one of the busiest avenues in Norman, it is known to at- tract ou students and visitors of all faith traditions in addition to members of the parish. It is adorned with a statue of Mary with the Child Jesus. The circular paths of bricks are engraved with the names of the priests and sisters who have served at St. Thom- as More, along with the names of families, friends and loved ones who have gone on from this earthly life. The benches are also memorials to lives of faith. It is the site of many Rosaries prayed for many causes and most especially an end to abortion.

Memorae Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

62 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 63 Ransom’s Garden and Shrine to the Holy Family

The garden located east of the Louise Kay Education Center, south of the church, is named for Ransom Thomas Aquinas Hardesty, son of parishioners Aimee and Clint Hardesty, brother to Athan and Hardesty. At age three, Ransom was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer and left us at age four. He is lovingly remembered as a “…a genuine force of … fearless and fierce but loving and kind and never cruel. Ransom lived his life with abandon and courage. His amazing spirit enabled him to sustain the intense pain of fighting his illness. His bravery and unwavering strength allowed him to press on when so many of us would have given up.” The statue of the Holy Family that is part of Ransom’s Garden is a popular gathering place for parishioners and especially for children, who can stand beside the young Jesus of Nazareth. There is also a small statue of a boy with a dog, honoring Ransom’s love for dogs, especially rescues. Ransom’s Garden, including the Holy Family statue, was dedi- cated on May 17, 2015, Ransom’s birthday.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,in you we contemplate the splendour of true love, to you we turn with trust. Holy Family of Nazareth,grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of and small domestic Churches. Holy Family of Nazareth,may families never again violence, rejection and division: may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing. Holy Family of Nazareth, make us once more mindful

Photo by Lochani Perara of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer.

Amen. Pope Francis, 2013

64 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 65 Our Lady of Grace Prayer Garden

The area between the new church and old has been landscaped and adorned as the parish’s newest prayer space. It also offers a unique and beautiful view into the interior of the new church, especially at night. The stunning statue of Mary located here has a background of 23k gold mosaic tile and was one of the first installations after the completion of the new church.

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi est. [Where charity and love are, God is there.]

O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially... (special ). We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.

Amen.

66 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 67 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Courtyard

The bronze sculpture of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was commis- sioned especially for St. Thomas More University Parish by Charles and Mary Ellen Doyle and sculpted by artist Christo- pher Slatoff, Los Angeles, . St. Elizabeth Seton was the first saint to be born in what would become the United States and is the patron saint of Catholic education. She is also recognized as a “Vincentian” saint, as the order she estab- lished, the Sisters of Charity, the first religious community of women in the United States, was modeled after the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. The statue is without a pedestal so that children can gather with this patron saint of Catholic education and see for them- selves the verse the she is holding is turned to:

“You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before oth- ers, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14

Holy Father, You called Elizabeth Ann Seton to educate your children. Inspire us, by her example, to find your will in the present moment. Through her prayers may we learn to teach others how to love like you. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Teacher.

Amen.

68 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 69 St. Thomas More Entry Plaza

The signature sculpture of our new church, St. Thomas More in the Dock, was commissioned especially for St. Thomas More University Parish by Charles and Mary Ellen Doyle and sculpted by artist Christopher Slatoff, Los Angeles, California.

Lord, grant that I may be able in argument, Accurate in analysis, Strict in study, Candid with clients and honest with adversaries. Stand beside me in court, So that today I shall not, in order to win a point, Lose my soul.

Amen.

Prayer by St. Thomas More

70 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 71 Architecture

From its inception, the new Saint Thomas More University Parish expressed a traditional form with a modern Gothic Revival composition. Its use of natural light harnesses all of nature’s glory by framing views of the exterior elements and taking advantage of punched openings that stretch throughout the space, first along the nave walls and wrapping entirely around the transepts, chancel and altar areas. The sunlight streams in through the clear story windows at different of day allowing the parishioners a unique and different experience throughout the day and the seasons. The unique interior buttressing allows for a rhythm befitting a Gothic cathedral from the early 18th century. The building is best categorized as a Gothic Revival building with an elegant nod to the craftsmanship and precision of the 21st century. Liturgical elements adorn the space like hidden gems. From one angle you can see the of the High Altar and its supporting elements including statues of saints and the like and from another you experience the splendor of the exteri- or environment through large Gothic transept windows. The building effortlessly blends and enhances the context with which it resides. The exterior of this modern Gothic building abruptly transitions from the existing building to the new. A clear delin- eation of the structures is bridged by a glass façade punctuated with a traditional bell tower element that broadcasts service times throughout the City of Norman, Oklahoma.

Mark Krittenbrink, aia and his family are longtime members of the parish. Mark is President and Principal Architect, Krittenbrink Architecture. We are grateful as well to Shawn Lorg, President and Director of Design, Krittenbrink Architecture, for his contributions to the project.

72 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 73 Almighty and ever living God, who didst strengthen thine apostle Thomas with sure and certain faith in thy Son’s res- urrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in thy sight; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen. Prayer to St. St. Thomas is the patron of Architects

74 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 75 Architectural Themes & Details

The church is in a cruciform shape facing east, as is traditional. Facing east is in reference to the early Christian and Jewish practice of praying eastward toward Jerusalem. Most of the Roman Empire would have been to the west. Matthew 24:27 tells us that “because the coming of the Son of man will be like lightning striking in the east and flashing far into the west. We pray facing east to face the rising of the sun on each new day, and new life. “If we set our faces towards that which is good, true, and beautiful, su- premely God Himself, we ultimately set our backs to everything else” (Bishop ). When the priest celebrates Mass ad orientem [to the orient] he is not facing away from the people but rather facing towards God, being a leader to his congregation in the direction we go, heavenward. Our eyes are raised to the Marian ceiling, an ex- pansive blue sky blanketed with hand painted 8-point gold stars.

If the winds of temptation arise; If you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation look to the star, call on Mary; If you are tossed upon the waves of pride, of ambition, of envy, of rivalry, look to the star, call on Mary.

Amen. St

Photo by Damin Spitzer

76 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 77 One of the purposes of is to allow the visitor be transported into the heavenly . It achieves this feeling by the use of vertical lines that guide our eyes upward to the heavens. This is reinforced by much of the detail around the mu- rals and niches, which are painted but appear to be three-dimensional. The decorative background of the niches include the crown and the cross that reference Christ the King and also St. Thomas More’s coat of arms that featured three fighting roosters called moorcocks, a play on the family name, and a specific type of fighting rooster. The red marble on the altars and also inset in the baptismal font and the pedestals upon which the four statues in the sanctuary stand is from Spain, a symbolic nod to the Spanish church. When English priests were being hunted and persecuted, often tor- tured and executed, Spain sent priests to England to help bring Mass and the sacraments to the people of England. Spanish priests were instrumental in keep- ing the English Catholic Church alive. The clover-like shape seen throughout the church has four “leaves.” Four stair steps lead to the albo, or pulpit. This reminds us of the four and the four directions we are called to take the Gospel message.

78 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 79 Design and Identity

Every element in the visual presentation of St. Thomas More is treated as an important opportunity to express the ideas and values of the Parish and of the Church to our members, students, and alumni. The goal of projecting a meaningful and high quali- ty image to our fellow Catholics in the Archdiocese and beyond, to our neighbors in the City of Norman, and to our frequent visitors is a critical component of the Arts in the Parish. The St. Thomas More logo is the most public symbol that the Parish projects. The design seeks to offer a contemporary logo that is totally composed of traditional Catholic symbols. It it is built out of the fundamental elements of the Parish identity: the Cross and St. Thomas More’s initials. The Cross doubles as the ‘T’ in Thomas. The M for More presents itself a swash letter form from the typeface Poetica, which visually references the beautiful calligraphy done in England for illuminated manu- scripts. The expressive stroke on the left side of the M seeks to make a statement as to the joy and confidence that the Parish projects as fully engaged members of the Christian and Roman Catholic community. Secondary elements include the red diamond symbolizes the martyrdom of St. Thomas More as well as making a small nod to the University of Oklahoma’s school colors. There is another tertiary, yet important element in the symbol. By crop- ping the M within the Cross the V shape at the center of the M is emphasized, tacitly, but importantly, creating a reference to the initials of the Virgin Mary.

80 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 81 The typeface that accompanies the St. Thomas More logo is Bembo. Although Bembo is Italian in origin, it is historically the most important typeface in Catholic biblical printing. The typeface was designed in 1496 by Francesco Griffo and printed by Aldus Manutius. The name Bembo is from it’s patron, Cardi- nal Pietro Bembo who was the first to use it his writings. Bembo was at the very forefront of humanistic letter form design as Europe transitioned from the handwritten black-letter styles to letter forms that still are vital today. It would have undoubtedly been familiar to Thomas More. This book is set in Bembo with the authentic old- numbers. St. omas More The logo was designed in 2005 and has proven adaptable and resilient for a variety of applications. We can see that in several of the iterations in the right column of the adjacent page. Above is a version used for stm’s Discipleship Fairs and the version below it is an adaptation of celebrating the new Church by integrating it into a symbol of the new bell tower. An important application can be seen in the left column of the facing page as the logo is applied to banners that define the St. Thomas More campus that Father James Goins had installed in 2016. These echo the omnipresent banners of the University itself and they confidently define our presence at heart of the University of Oklahoma.

Adapted from a lecture by ou Professor Eric H. Anderson, the designer of the logo, on Christian and Catholic given to the Catholic Student Association at the University of Oklahoma in 2017. M Lord, teach me to be generous, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to look for any reward, save that of knowing that I do your holy will.

Amen. Jesuit Prayer attributed to St. Ignatius Loyola

82 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 83 Legacy

Parishioners and visitors are invited to walk through the new church as well as the repurposed older sanctuary, now Heiple Hall, and take a moment to reflect on some of the sacred art that has graced the walls of St. Thomas More over the years. The provenance of many of these acquisitions is documented while others, such as the carved Stations of the Cross that hang in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, is not as certain. The parish has a significant collection of religious art that has been gifted to us or purchased with donated funds.

84 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 85 San Damiano Crucifix

The reproduction of the San Damiano Cross that hangs in Heiple Hall has been a part of St. Thomas More since the 1990s The orig- inal cross hangs in the Basilica of St. Clare Church in Assisi, . It is the one before which St. Francis was praying when he received the commission from the Lord to rebuild the Church. The San Damiano crucifix is carried through campus during the Way of the Cross, the annual Good Friday event led by members of the parish’s campus ministry program.

Most High glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart.

Give me right faith, sure hope and perfect charity.

Fill me with understanding and that I may fulfill your command.

Amen.

Prayer of St. Francis Before the Cross

86 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 87 Altar with Icons

The altar in the south transept was the altar used in the previous sanctuary. It was crafted and built by parishioner Tobin. The three icons contained in the altar were written by parishioner Brigid Brink in 2012 and donated to the parish.

In the presence of a good icon we move from contemplation to prayer. In fact it is said that a good icon is one that inspires prayer. Prayer requires . Prayerful asceticism becomes a healing process in which whatever has estranged us from God is transformed into becoming a means of communion with God. The mind, soul, heart, body and will of the person who prays becomes still, attentive, attuned, and peaceful, constantly receptive to the presence of God.

From Dormition of the Monastary: A Monastic Journal. Author unknown.

88 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 89 Rapture of

One of the parish’s most treasured pieces is Rapture of Fra Angelico, painted specifically for our parish by Carol Beesley, M.F.A., Professor Emeritus of Art at The University of Oklaho- ma where she taught , Drawing, Ceramics, Art History and Humanities for 24 years before moving to Santa Fe in 1997. Beesley is known for her love of color and bold images and this is one of the few of her works that includes the religious symbolism of her faith. It was donated to the parish in the early 1990s, making it one of the parish’s first acquisitions of original fine art.

Blessed John of Fiesole, popularly known as Blessed Fra Angeli- co, was a Dominican painter in the mid-fifteenth century known for the beauty of his and the holiness of his priestly life and the way he preached Jesus Chris by his life, his words and his paintings. He is the patron saint of artists.

O God, in Your providence You inspired blessed Fra Angelico to portray the beauty and sweetness of heaven.

Blessed Angelico, pray for us! Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

90 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 91 Book Notes

This book was designed to celebrate the first anniversary of the dedication of the new St. Thomas More Church at 1535 Jenkins, Norman, Oklahoma.

Project Director: Jean-Claude Roegiers Book design: Eric Anderson Photography Chris Porter (unless noted) Eric Anderson

Project Members: Gail Anderson Nathan Deal Fr. James Goins Drew Kershen Lisa Schmidt

© Copyright St. Thomas More 2020, all reserved.

92 st. thomas more university parish and student center prayers and art at st. thomas more 93 M

St. Thomas More University Parish & Student Center 1535 Jenkins Street Norman, Oklahoma 73072

www.stm-ou.org

94 st. thomas more university parish and student center