This iteration of the College for Congregational Development is taking place in Thomas Berry Place, a retreat center on the campus of the Passionists in Jamaica, Queens. The place was renovated and named for the ecological mystic Berry in
2022, but the building is older, dating to the 1950s. A mural in the dining hall ambitiously represents the four sources of Berry's inspiration - indigenous knowledge, women, ancient traditions and science - but artistically it is less interesting than stained glass windows in the main hall where our plenary sessions take place.
In deep colors glowing against brooding black when backlit by the light of the afternoon sun, their figures are bursting out of their frames into the brighter margins of distressed panes on either side, where various other symbols float (including a little demon impaled on a sword). Is the central figure Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775),
founder of the Passionist Order? I'm hoping someone can tell me more about them.
In deep colors glowing against brooding black when backlit by the light of the afternoon sun, their figures are bursting out of their frames into the brighter margins of distressed panes on either side, where various other symbols float (including a little demon impaled on a sword). Is the central figure Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775), founder of the Passionist Order? I'm hoping someone can tell me more about them.
