Lumen Christi

ISBN: 978900163033

2009

A Native of Roscrea, County Tipperary, market author Don Lawrence Walsh has been contemplating the stained-glass windows of Mount St. Joseph Abbey for over 60 years. It presents the first several years of research into the history of the windows, shares stories of the saint's lives and missions, allows us a glimpse into his personal reflections on the impact of these "books of golden instruction".

Lumen Christi Chronicles the stained-glass windows in the abbey church, infirmary oratories and college chapel. It is a riveting journey situated in the context of external events and circumstances, the pre-monastic origins of Mount Eden County Offaly (once part of the Eli O'Carroll territory) to the minor monastic campus of monastery, guest houses, college and farmyard.

At the heart of Mount St. Joseph is the abbey church. The foundation stone of this imposing edifice was laid in 1879 it was dedicated and opened for worship in 1881 and solemnly consecrated in 1884.

The monks who came to Mountheaton in 1878 were Trappist are Cistercian monks, followers of the rule of St. Benedict, and known for their strict and austere lifestyle. Somewhat surprisingly we find the monks set about installing stained-glass depicting Saints and biblical scenes into windows of their newly built church. In fact these windows were planned from the outset and formidable part of the design of the structure.

This attractive volume, recards in words

and pictures  the story and history of these remarkable stained-glass windows and  a and there inspires, designers, fabricators and doors. The lavish color photographs of the Windows of, committed five illustrations from the abbeys extensive collection of books, missals, paintings and historical documents.

Lumen Christie is essential reading for anyone with an interest in spirituality, Irish history and the craft of stained-glass fabricators Early and Powells, John Handman & Co., Harry Clark Studios and the Abbey Stained Glass Studios.