Servant of God Bishop Baraga honored at Guadalupe Shrine

The Shrine Church has two levels. The main level of the Church contains shrines and first-class relics of Blesseds and Saints who would be meaningful to those who come to the Shrine in need. In the lower Narthex, there are two Venerables and one Servant-of-God who are honored. All three of these holy men have ties to Wisconsin; two of them particularly are known for their total self-giving to ministering to the spiritual needs of the people, particularly of the Native American, of what was then the Northwest Territory.

The portraits draw attention to what these three men have contributed to the history and the faith of this area of the United States. Artist Robert ‘Brett’ Edenton was commissioned by Cardinal Burke to paint portraits of Venerable Solanus Casey, Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli, and Servant-of-God Bishop Frederic Baraga.

Brett is a strong believer in the realist traditions of the old masters, influenced by artists such as Bouguereau, DaVinci, and Caravaggio. In order to paint Casey, Mazzuchelli, and Baraga, he studied a series of extensive drawings, portraits, along with the life of each saint and then in his painting tried to portray the man, the deeds, the time period, and the place as accurately possible. As a result, Brett’s paintings can tell you a lot about the person portrayed.

continue at Guadalupe Shrine