Building from Belief: Advance, Retreat, and Compromise in the Remaking of Catholic Church Architecture

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Summary: The balance between modern design and centuries of tradition
Review: Building From Belief: Advance, Retreat, And Compromise In The Remaking Of Catholic Church Architecture by Michael E. DeSanctis (Associate Professor of Fine Arts, Gannon University) is an informed and informative descriptive analysis of Catholic church architecture in the United States. Black-and-white photographs provide a visual correspondence to these carefully worded ruminations on the balance between modern design and centuries of tradition. Building From Belief is a unique contribution to Catholic Studies, and very highly recommended for its projected views regarding Catholic church construction, as well as DeSanctis' arguments for a comprehensive liturgical catechesis.

Rating:
Summary: Building From Belief
Review: Michael DeSanctis is a writer who speaks from his soul. His book like his persona is larger than life.
He communicates the notion that we Catholics fail to ignore-the purpose of "Church" and that of communal prayer. His vast knowledge of liturgical space, sacred art and architecture is astounding.
As a Catholic I read this book with great interest.
Building from Belief put a lot of things into perspective for me-it is not "my Mass" or "my Church" but that of everyone in the congregation. A church without believers is just a building just the way that a house without a family is not a "home".

His vision for Church design in the new millenium is not only beautiful but also "soul stirring". It exemplifies the notion of worshipping as a community.
Gannon University and Erie are lucky to have him.