Priest’s Artwork Searches for A Piece of Eternity

By Father Frank Mann

“Every great work of art has two faces, one toward its own time and one toward the future, toward eternity.” – Israeli pianist Daniel Barenboim

There is no doubt that the masterpieces of sacred art created by Brooklyn priest Father Richard Bretone reflect the mystery of eternity.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an exhibition of his artwork at the Pratt Institute’s Schafler Gallery. Browsing through a simple yet inviting guest book on a table near his exhibit, I delighted in the many comments and observations by many of the students, faculty and friends with regard to his “creations.”

“Your work is awesome,” wrote one individual.

Others were both neatly and ornately penned on the pages: “The pieces captivate! Amazing!” “People are touched, inspired and moved toward a deeper love for God.” “You are incredible – an embodiment of pure creative spirit.” “No one else has made anything so unique as your pieces. You have an amazing talent and you are an amazing priest.”

Might I add my own “reflection” to the many other penned congratulatory wishes? “Rich, the Church is very blessed to have you and countless other priests in the Diocese of Brooklyn who never fail to make a difference in the lives of other people.”

Father Bretone is completing a seven-and-a-half-year assignment as the Catholic chaplain to Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, one of the country’s premier art colleges. Ordained in 1989, he remembers once taking an art class in high school and the instructor asked him his interests. “I said I liked philosophy, theology and art,” he recalls.

All the pieces at the Schafler Gallery showcased Father Bretone’s original liturgical art. “I chose to concentrate on metalsmithing because of my love for sacred objects used in the Mass,” he proudly states.

When Father Bretone first arrived at Pratt in 2001, he remembers, “I could feel the absence of God. I knew that if I were going to be effective at Pratt, I would have to enter the students’ world by understanding the art they dedicated themselves to learning.”

Some of the work of Father Richard Bretone on display last week at Pratt Institute included, from top, a chalice, paten of sterling silver and a bronze flame titled “Lift Up Your Heart”; an Easter Candle holder (for the Paschal Candle) that is made of copper, stone, wood and enamel and labeled, “From Death to Life”; and a set of nine altar bells made of flat bronze sheet that was raised and hand-hammered, known as “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

He gently adds, “Art opens the soul to beauty, which is an attribute to God. The artist pays homage to God in choosing to bring things of beauty into creation.”

He was happy to share his “artist statement,” that which is more appropriate to his vision and goals: “My artwork is an attempt to give glory to God who has given me all things, and most importantly, He has given me the gift of life. I have consecrated my life – my whole person – to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The art that I create is sacred, because it references our supreme connection to the Holy in the ritual worship of the Roman Catholic Mass.”

One artwork in the exhibit, titled “Lift Up Your Hearts,” displays a chalice and paten used during Mass. They are made of sterling silver sheet that was raised and hand-hammered into its goblet form. The bronze stem in the shape of two flames represents the fire and desire of God’s love for humanity as it is expressed in the Incarnation of Jesus as both God and man. The vermeil (gold plating on silver) on the inside of the vessels intimates the luminosity of the soul in union with God.

The work titled “Angels We Have Heard On High” is a set of nine huge altar bells made of flat bronze sheet that was raised and hand-hammered. They were placed in a wood frame that matches the wood interior of a chapel that Father Bretone has built in upstate New York. The nine bells are symbolic of the medieval teaching of the nine choirs of angels.

A third piece in the show is titled, “From Death to Life.” It is an Easter Candle holder (for the Paschal Candle) that is made of copper, stone, wood and enamel. There are calla lilies that dramatically extend from sections of the holder and were made watertight in order to hold holy water. The stamens of the flowers are actually aspergillum (or sprinklers) that the priest uses to bless the congregation. The base is stone. There is a scroll at the base made of hand-carved wood, which references Golgotha where Jesus was crucified.

“It is a stark reminder of one’s mortality,” explains Father Bretone. In the viewpoint of this “reporter,” this is one of the most unique works of sacred art that I have ever seen.

Finally, the work “Were Not Our Hearts on Fire” is a pendant in the form of a flame. It is made of copper repousse and represents hearts on fire with the love of God. There is a citrine stone at the base that reflects the spark of divinity that is ablaze in divine love.

According to Father Bretone, “It symbolizes our spiritual goal to transcend our limitations and to unite to that love that, as Dante saw in his last Canto, ‘moves the sun and other stars’.”

Father Bretone concludes, “… I await to see how God will use all of this for His greater glory in my future service to Him as a priest in the great Diocese of Brooklyn.”