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"These are not dry, disembodied images from the pages of history but rather living items." Lumen Christi records in words and pictures the story and history of the remarkable stained glass windows of Mount Saint Joseph Abbey. Author and monk, Laurence Walsh has been contemplating these windows for over sixty years. Here he presents the fruit of several years' research into the history of the windows, shares stories of the saints' lives and missions, and allows us a glimpse into his personal reflections on the impact of these “books of golden instruction.” The book chronicles the windows, their inspirers, designers, fabricators and donors. The lavish colour photographs are complemented by illustrations from the Abbey's extensive collection of books, missals, paintings and historical documents.
"Laurence and I feel that we really made the right choice in choosing Bogfire for our book. We know that no one else in the business would have managed the whole project so well or produced such a wonderful finished product. We are very appreciative to you both for all the work you put into the project. It has way exceeded our expectations. When we have our next book ready we'll know where to turn." Dom Richard Purcell
Click here to see a slide show of photographs taken by James Fraher during the course of our work on Lumen Christi. Wait for the program to finish loading then click the play button on the left. The sound track is the Salve Regina from the cd Salve: The Monks of Roscrea. The cd features 29 tracks of the monks chanting the liturgy and is available for purchase from Mount Saint Joseph Abbey. Click here to purchase.
The Making of Lumen Christi photos from the top Dom Laurence and Connie walking to the Abbey library Father Laurence and Dom Richard review comps with Connie in the guesthouse front room Dom Richard and Father Laurence look over initial page designs with Connie James on the scaffold in the apse James photographing the Annunciation window in the cloister Dom Laurence posing for a portrait in the Abbey church Connie and Father Laurence at work in the Abbey library Father Laurence shows Connie the oldest book in the Abbey collection
". . . this magnificent book is as much about windows into the monastic soul, the lumen Christi, as it is about those used to keep out wind and rain.
. . The stunning photographs by Sean Curtin and James Fraher provide the spine of this book as the reader takes a virtual walk around the church." |
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Click here to order Lumen Christi from Mount Saint Joseph Abbey. The Making of Lumen Christi Lumen Christi provided an opportunity for us to do just that. We began work on the project in earnest in January 2009. The deadline was October 30. Those of you who have an understanding of writing, research, book design and production will appreciate that 10 months is not a luxurious amount of time for such a project.
One of our great joys during the course of the project was when the four of us would settle in front of a computer screen and look at the latest pages that had been designed since our previous visit. It seemed that we were on the right track for the most part and everyone was happy and getting happier with each new spread. The most Working with Father Laurence was a great joy. He is a most lively, thoughtful and joyful person. We will always treasure our time together. Here's one little story that epitomizes his optimism and cheerful outlook. Many of you know the story of Glaisne O' Cuilleanáin whose rosary is on display in the abbey church. Glaisne was abbott of Boyle Abbey some years after the dissolution of the monasteries in c.1540. He got it into his head to go to Dublin and speak with the powers-that-be about reopening the abbey. “Oh, yes, yes,” they wrote back to him, “Yes, come to Dublin and we’ll discuss it.” The poor man went along to Dublin and got his head chopped off for his efforts. His rosary fell from his hand as he died. Father Laurence told us this story while James was photographing the rosary for Lumen Christi. We were horrified. “What in the name of God possessed that man to go to Dublin?" we asked. All smiles, Father Laurence replied, “If he hadn’t gone to Dublin, we wouldn’t have his rosary!”
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Design • Photography • Music/Video • Music CDs • Books • Exhibits • Blues Posters • Presentations • About Bogfire |
When Dom Richard called us to inquire if Bogfire would be interested in assisting in the creation of a book recently written by Father Laurence about the stained glass windows of Mount Saint Joseph Abbey we felt very privileged to be asked. We had settled in Ireland the year before, from our home in Chicago, and were excited about making whatever small contribution we could to Irish culture and heritage. 
In fairness, Father Laurence had been working for several years on the research and writing and that aspect was well on the way. We spent the better part of that first week plotting and planning with Father Richard and spending time in the abbey library pouring over books with Father Laurence. The monks were most open-hearted, 
welcoming and well-organized. They gave us food and shelter unreservedly. Thanks to Sister Mary and all the staff at the guesthouse for looking after us so generously. We feel quite at home there, taking over the front room for our office and helping ourselves to tea and biscuits. 
While Connie was in the library, James was often climbing up a scaffold, photographing window details in the church and the Harry Clark windows in the cloister and College Chapel. He also photographed statues, chalices, books, drawings, paintings and whatever else Father Laurence needed to tell his story. Indeed he photographed the author himself on several occasions. Father 
Laurence was always a good sport. Thanks to the grounds crew for their help in putting up and taking down scaffolding and ladders with such good humor. And speaking of good humor, Sean Curtin deserves special recognition for his outstanding photographs of the Apse and West windows and the full-length views of the windows of the side chapels and aisles. A designer could not have been more fortunate than 
to have the work of these two photographers for the project.
inspiring response was the trust that Father Richard and Father Laurence placed in us. Our goal was to align with their objectives and help bring about the book they envisioned. 