Behold, I Make All Things New

An important goal in building the new Our Lady Wisdom Church & Catholic Student Center is to incorporate our history so that we can remember and pay homage to our past as we set off into the future. One way that we accomplish this is through building architecture. The church design draws inspiration from the churches of the Vendee region of France where a large majority of the Acadians trace their roots, as well as the churches of Nova Scotia where they first lived in the New World. The student center takes its inspiration from traditional Cajun architecture, and particularly the work of renowned architect, A. Hays Town.

Another essential project goal is repurposing existing building elements in the new facility. While this proved difficult and cost prohibitive in some areas, we are reusing several key liturgical items including statues, stations of the cross, and the mosaic beneath the Christ the King statue. Initially, the mosaic was in the Altar of Sacrifice of the original chapel. It was relocated to the Christ the King altar after renovations. The central theme of the piece is from the fifteenth chapter of St. John’s Gospel when Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” Christ is the center of everything. Whether the mosaic, which represents that central theme, was in the original chapel, the expanded and renovated church, or in the new church, He is the one in whom we must remain. As long as we remain in Him, our individual lives and our ministry of making disciples of all Cajuns will continue to flourish and produce much fruit for the Kingdom.

I am the Vine, You are the Branches mosaic in its new home in the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel altar. 

To learn more about Wisdom for Every Generation campaign and building project, click here.