In the Westminster Cathedral in Westminster, England, there is a chapel devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is the cathedral of the Cardinal-Archbishop of Westminster, the highest ranking Roman Catholic bishop in England. Begun some150 years ago, the cathedral is not finished.
The Lady’s chapel, however, has been finished. On the upper levels of this chapel are 21 mosaics on the life of Mary. Some of these images are inspired by the Gospels; others are inspired by Tradition or by hagiography. This small book shows these mosaics - Gered Mankowitz photographed these inspiring images -and Rachel Billington gives a short commentary on the mosaics presented. She also provides short quotes from various sources from the Gospels to T.S. Eliot as well as a map of where the images are in the chapel.
Forewords by the Duchess of Kent, the Archbishop of Westminster, and the Archbishop of Canterbury are included. After the presentation of the mosaics, a short history of the Lady Chapel mosaics by Patrick Rogers follows, then messages from other religious leaders in England. The book concludes with a collection of prayers to or in honor of Mary. This book would make a wonderful gift for the month of May some other religious occasion, like First Communion or Confirmation.
Rachel Billington has authored the up-coming Sea Mists (Sept. 2006), Space Between (2005), A Woman’s Life (2004), Life of St. Francis (2002), Perfect Happiness (1999), The Life of Jesus (1996), and others. Gered Mankowitz has been involved in photographing the musical group The Rolling Stones with books on them including The Stones (2002), I-Contact (1998), and others.