Dedication of the Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome

Remarks by Cardinal Justin Rigali
Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome Dedication Dinner
17 November 2007
Washington, D.C.

Cardinal Justin Rigali

I am happy to have this opportunity to speak with you as we celebrate the dedication of the Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome.

As Chairman of the Shrine’s Iconography Committee, I would like to express my gratitude to Supreme Knight, Carl Anderson and the Knights of Columbus for this magnificent gift which you have given to the Shrine in commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of the Knights of Columbus.

I am grateful as well to the National Shrine Board of Trustees and to each of you, the many friends of the Shrine for your presence today and for the support which you provide the Shrine throughout the year.

As you can imagine, installing beautiful works of art in any church is no small task. And this is especially true at the Shrine. Whether it is the building of new chapels or the inclusion of statuary, each request goes through a process which involves both the Shrine Iconography Committee and Plant and Facilities Committee. These committees seek to insure that whatever is included in the Shrine is noble, worthy, artistically beautiful and most importantly, looks as though it has always been a part of the Shrine and not just something that was added on. I believe that we have achieved this goal with the installation of the Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome.

When the Servant of God, Father Michael McGivney established the Knights of Columbus, he sought to bring together Catholic men who would encourage each other in the practice of the faith, strengthen family life and support the work of the Church.

For 125 years, the Knights of Columbus have sustained Father McGivney’s vision, and what began as a parish organization at Saint Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, is now the world’s largest Roman Catholic Fraternal Organization.

For the National Shrine’s nearly 90 year history, the Knights of Columbus have been an integral component.

The majestic Knights’ Tower stands as a visible sign of the Knights dedication to Our Lady and this great paternal Church of the United States. By your support of the Shrine’s ministry to pilgrims through the Ushers Program and televised Masses, the Knights of Columbus assist in making certain that the National Shrine is a place of prayer and devotion.

The gift of the Incarnation Dome is yet another tangible expression of the Knights dedication to Mary’s House.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “Sacred Art is true and beautiful when its form corresponds to its particular vocation: evoking and glorifying, in faith and adoration, the transcendent mystery of God – the surpassing invisible beauty of truth and love visible in Christ, who “reflect the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature,” in whom “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” [Heb 1:3; Col 2:9] This spiritual beauty of God is reflected in the most holy Virgin Mother of God, the angels, and saints. Genuine sacred art drawn man to adoration, to prayer and to the love of God, Creator and Savior, the Holy One and Sanctifier.” (CCC 2502)

Through the scenes depicted in the Incarnation Dome the Knights of Columbus contribute to evoking and glorifying “the transcendent mystery of God.” As one contemplates these scenes, not only are our eyes physically lifted upward, but our mind and hearts and drawn to reflect upon the great love that God expresses for us in the mystery of the Incarnation.

The words which surround the Incarnation Dome “The Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) together with scenes that ponder the Incarnation, speak vividly of God’s Word become flesh in Jesus Christ.

These scenes also poignantly express the work of the Knights of Columbus. The Annunciation scene addresses the on-going pro-life efforts of the Knights; the Nativity accentuates the Knights focus on the family; the Wedding Feast at Cana echo’s the work of the Knights with the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family and the Transfiguration illustrates the continuing work of the Knights to help transform the Order and the world into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ.

Today’s celebration, dear friends, is about much more than a beautiful work of art. Today’s celebration and the Incarnation Dome should serve as a reminder that through the Incarnation God became one of us; because of the Incarnation we have been redeemed and continuously, through the Incarnation, we persevere along the path that leads to everlasting life.

May Mary Immaculate, mother of the Incarnate Lord, always direct us to her Son until that day with Mary, we behold the face of God for all eternity.

May God bless you for your dedication to Mary’s House and may God bless the Knights of Columbus.