Archabbey Publications has released the 28th ornament in the series featuring aspects of the Archabbey Basilica and its environs. The ornament for 2023 features Saint Mark, Evangelist, and is the second in a series featuring the four evangelists taken from frescoes above the altar of the Basilica.

As is traditional in all churches in Romanesque style, above the altar in the crossing vaults are the four Evangelists (Gospel writers). Joseph Reiter is the artist. Depicted with their traditional symbols, they are painted directly on the plaster of the ceiling: Matthew, with an angel; Mark, with a lion; Luke, with an ox and John, with an eagle. The symbols come from the Book of Revelation (4:1-11). The 2022 ornament begins a series featuring the frescoes. The liturgical cycle for 2022-2023 features Year B, Mark’s Gospel, thus the second ornament in the series is his.

From the stained glass windows inside, to the crucifix above the altar, the facade of the church, and even the Boniface Wimmer statue that guards the entrance to the church, these metal ornaments are produced by Beacon Design of Rhode Island for Saint Vincent Archabbey.

They are available in the Basilica Gift Shop and the Saint Vincent College bookstore, as well as online at www.stvincentstore.com. Some ornaments may be out of stock or available in very limited quantities.