Isabel Piczek: Vocation to Sacred Art

“Art has to gain an awareness of God’s own intentions
for this age and faithfully reflect it to God’s people…
Behind Art, Life and Being there is only one Mover,
the Splendor of Divine Love.”[1] -Isabel Piczek

            For Isabel Piczek, art was not a profession, but rather a calling, a vocation.[2] Born in Hatvan, Hungary in 1927, and a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Budapest, Piczek envisioned a new form of sacred art, “a new liturgical vision.”[3]  After the Communist takeover of Hungary, she realized that this vision would be impossible to fulfill behind the Iron Curtain.  She and her sister, Edith, also an artist, escaped Hungary by way of the Austrian border and soon arrived in Rome, where they would spend the next three years.[4]  In 1954, the sisters entered a blind competition for the commission of artwork for a large wall in the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.  They entered the contest under the name “I. Piczek,” and when their pen-and-ink drawing was chosen, the judges were astounded that the artists were two young adult women.  The 377 square foot mural, which took seven months to complete, depicted “The Second Miraculous Draught of Fish.”  Fifty-five years later, in 2011, the work needed restoration, as it was located off a dining area and kitchen.[5]  In a rare act, Isabel Piczek directed the restoration of her own work. Also in 2011, the mural received the distinction of being named a “Vatican Treasure.”[6]

California Patrons of the Arts newsletter "Massaggero," Winter 2011,
at https://californiapatrons.org/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/CPA%20W'11.pdf

              After emigrating to Canada and then the United States, Isabel and Edith continued their artwork for many years.  In 1981, Isabel was asked by Cardinal Timothy Manning of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to produce a replica of The Annunciation by Ilario da Viterbo in Byzantine tesserae, in honor of the bicentennial celebration of the city of Los Angeles.[7] This work is located on the façade of the church of La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles, also known as La Placita.  The detail of the work by Viterbo was chosen as the subject because the original work, “Our Lady of the Angels,” is located in the Porciuncula chapel at Assisi.  The Los Angeles River was named for Our Lady Queen of the Angels as “El Rio de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciuncula” by the Franciscan missionaries the day after this Franciscan feast in 1769.[8]

Our Lady Queen of Angels Church (La Placita),
the oldest church in Los Angeles (Angelus News)

Here, a close-up of Piczek's work after the style of Ilario da Viterbo:

Isabel Piczek after Ilario da Viterbo, 1981. 7'4" x 11'
at http://www.publicartinla.com/UnionStation/annunciazione.html
Photo by Ruth Wallach. 

In contrast, a depiction of the Annunciation in Piczek's own style. This window was completed in 2012:

        This style reflects the sacred vision of art that permeated Isabel’s life of dedication to portraying the beauty of God, the “monumental truths and incredible grandeur in the depth of the life of the God-Man and his Virgin Mother.”[9]  In speaking about her work, she said, “Some of the greatest theologians of the Church tell us, the first and most prominent quality of God is that he is beautiful and that God’s beauty is not just a quality, but it is himself.  Out of his beauty flows his truth and this goodness.   Mankind readily experiences God’s goodness and truth and finds it natural to adore him for these.  But does mankind truly see the beauty of the invisible God, the first of his qualities it should worship?”[10] She portrayed this beauty in many media, including frescoes, stained glass, murals, sculpture, mosaic and ceramic tile.  She described the effect of art on Catholic theology and on the individual in this way:

“Through [art], Catholic theology and the mysteries of the faith become not only read, not only known, but loved.  So it happens even the hardest, most profound mysteries become easily understood and sweet through the power of art. Brought together on a simple, single surface, the human eye by its immediacy, understands and registers the image all at once.”[11]  

To conclude, offered below are two other samples of her work, with excerpts from her theological description of each:

“The Splendor of the Cosmic Heart” depicting the Trinity and the Return of Christ
 at the Last Judgment.  The seven groups of figures depict the seven sacraments
with angels accompanying the human beings as they receive these tangible
realities of God's love. 

“[In the return of Christ,] he comes with all the freedom of Love, not to crush his creation but to bring about its final fulfillment.  The Last Day is the grand sign of God's faithfulness.”[12] 

"Christ the Healer"

“The work of Christ as Supreme Teacher is followed...by his works of mercy.  Christ came to us to rebuild creation.  Christ the Healer is a grand sign of that work... Christ, above all and before anything, first healed the blindness of spirit, its muteness, its deafness and enabled it to follow Christ and no longer be crippled with the worries and delights of the material world. First, he re-created the inner person in each.  [Here,] we especially see that in the already healed eye of the Blind.  He not only sees, but sees the wonder of God's real world.”[13]

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[1] Isabel Piczek, “The Splendor of the Cosmic Heart,” (unpublished manuscript, given to the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart, 2002), 2-3.
[2] Piczek, personal interview by 5^th grade class of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School, 8 January, 2014.
[3] Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart, “A Good Friend, a Rare Treasure: Isabel Piczek,” in The Gift of God: Reflections for Advent, Christmas and the New Year, 43.  Available by request at www.sacredheartsisters.com
[4] SDSH, “Good Friend, Rare Treasure,” 43.
[5] “Piczek Fresco Restored in the Biblicum,” Messaggero (Winter 2011), 3. At California Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, www.californiapatrons.org /wp-content/uploads/newsletters/CPA%20W'11.pdf.
[6] SDSH, “Good Friend, Rare Treasure,” 43.
[7] Michael Several, “Union Station: Plaza Church,” November 1998 at Public Art in Los Angeles at http://www.publicartinla.com/UnionStation.
[8] Michael Several, “L'Annunciazione (The Annunciation): Background Information,” November 1998 at Public Art in Los Angeles at http://www.publicartinla.com/UnionStation.
[9] Isabel Piczek, “The Theological and Artistic Description of the Stained Glass in the Sisters’ Chapel: Heart of Jesus Retreat Center Convent,” (unpublished manuscript, given to the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart, 2012), 1.
[10] Isabel Piczek, untitled lecture on the mural, “The Splendor of the Cosmic Heart,” (unpublished lecture text, given to the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart, 2002), 1.
[11] Isabel Piczek, “The Splendor of the Cosmic Heart,” manuscript, 2-3.
[12] Isabel Piczek, “The Splendor of the Cosmic Heart,” manuscript, 5.
[13] Isabel Piczek, “Theological and Artistic Description of the Artwork of the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center: Christ the Healer.” (unpublished manuscript, given to the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart, 2002).

Book Review: Mindszenty the Man

 

“I especially wish to evoke the memory of the beloved and highly respected prelate, Cardinal József Mindszenty, who left us the radiant testimony of fidelity to Christ and his Church and of love for one's country. We will always bless his name.”

–Pope John Paul II [1]

 

        Unflagging leadership and unfailing devotion to Christ and his flock.  These describe the character and actions of Servant of God Cardinal József Mindszenty (1892–1975) in the book, Mindszenty the Man.  It is this question of leadership around which the narrative revolves.  From where did Mindszenty’s strength come?  What supported his integrity?  What was the root of his dedication to Christ and the Church that would transcend all obstacles, threats and sufferings? Schlafly writes in her introduction, entitled "Why This Book was Written,"

“Most great leaders are ordinary, uninspired people who have made the decision within themselves (1) to accept the responsibilities of leadership, and (2) to pay the painful price that leadership demands. … The same principles of leadership apply in every endeavor.  So we must study the ideals, the training, the work habits, the rules of conduct, and the private lives of the few authentic heroes of our times.”[2]

            The book is a firsthand account of Father Joseph Vecsey, personal companion and secretary of the Cardinal, told to activist and author, Phyllis Schlafly, who was instrumental in the launch of the Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation in Saint Louis in 1958.[3]  While the arrest, torture and mock trial of Cardinal Mindszenty are certainly described in this work, the focus is on the man himself, his virtue, his steadfastness and integrity, and his unwillingness to compromise in any way that would hurt the freedom of the Catholic faith or of the people of Hungary.  In 1948, as the Communist threats were becoming more dire and arrest or violence seemed imminent, the Cardinal described the need for continued steadfast opposition to Communism, even at the cost of his personal safety: “Our historic mission is to alert and warn the rest of the world of the Communist threat. Our fulfillment of this task is far more important than winning a brief respite from our suffering at the price of a humiliating compromise.”[4]  This willingness to suffer for the sake of others, for the sake of truth, for the sake of fidelity to the mission God had entrusted to Cardinal Mindszenty, as bishop and later Primate of Hungary, was to be tested yet was never lacking. 

            The story is steeped in the presence of his mother.  A deeply religious woman, Mother Mindszenty (as Father Vecsey often refers to her) was strong and hardworking, and a constant source of support and strength to her son, both in his younger years as a parish priest and as he was entrusted with ever greater responsibilities.  Father Vecsey describes her as the “pivot about whom the family revolved and from whom all the family drew strength and spirit. … A woman 0f kindly character and great patience, Mother Mindszenty was gifted most of all with an indomitable will to surmount all difficulties.”[5] This indomitable will became deeply apparent in the years that the Cardinal was imprisoned, as she petitioned constantly to see him and did much to allow his voice to still be heard.  Once, when the Communists tried to trick the Cardinal with misinformation about a priest that he understood to be faithful to the Church but who was assisting the Communist government, the Cardinal asked his mother to pass a message about this particular priest.  Under the watchful eye of the guards, Mother Mindszenty looked “earnestly at her son so he could understand the hidden meaning of her guarded words [and] answered in a serious tone: ‘You know, Joseph, I very much dislike mixing in Church politics.  I really do not want to do what you ask, because one never knows what kind of mistake one might make.’” The Cardinal understood her meaning and because of that, the maneuver of the Communists was defeated that day through her perception and quick thinking.  Besides her affection, she also offered strength and true assistance.

            Cardinal Mindszenty lived fully the Gospel wisdom, “the person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones.” (Luke 16:10, NAB)  His early years as a parish priest and pastor showed his fidelity to serving the people of God with utmost generosity and attentiveness.  His parish life was characterized in this way: “Father Mindszenty was particularly anxious to be called to every sickbed.  He was so conscientious and alert that no one in his parish died with the Last Sacraments.  The annual parish report showed his perfect record.”[6]  He was also very dedicated not only to his committed parishioners, but also “worked diligently to overcome the religious indifference” of every person in the town to which he was assigned; one of the local judges gratefully remarked that it was asked by some of the religiously indifferent leaders of the town ‘Why does this young pastor let us have no rest? Why does he pressure us with every means to get to Heaven?’”[7]  Later, this unflagging dedication to small fidelities would bolster Mindszenty during his long years in prison.  Being allowed no news or reading material, and being kept in solitary confinement with only his breviary and Bible, he spent his time in prayer and intercession, praying six rosaries daily.  This fundamental steadfastness was a source of strength for the people of Hungary.  Bishop Rogács welcomed Cardinal Mindszenty to his diocese with the following words in 1947:

“We are grateful for the guidance your Eminence has given us, both personally and in the name of the Bishops’ Conference. Your charismatic wisdom leads hesitant minds along the right way, gives strength to weary souls and fortitude to those who have abandoned hope. Possessing the steadfastness of a St. Ambrose, you are the Rock to which the Hungarian people, both Catholic and non-Catholic, cling in order not to be swept away by the waves.”[8]

            He displayed a remarkable consistency of purpose throughout his life.  First arrested by Communists in 1919, for speaking against the October Revolution of 1918, he was targeted because his pastoral work was preventing the Communists from influencing the youth.  Later, he would confront the Nazis, both in words and in actions: “Even though the Nazis threatened death as punishment for those concealing Jews, Bishop Mindszenty ordered every Catholic monastery, convent, seminary, rectory, cloister and church to open its doors to the Jews and hide them from the Gestapo.”[9] He was substantially prepared to meet the threat of Communism because he had made a detailed study of the history and tactics of the communists and their persecution of the Church in Russia, knowing that their threat to his homeland and to the world was substantial. It was because of this understanding that he could be so unflinching in his refusal to compromise and therefore to safeguard the integrity of the Church and make a firm and public stand against Communism.  

            Finally, the underlying strength of Mindszenty, in all that he endured and all the ways he chose to act was predicated on his love and dedication to God and the Church.  In a pastoral letter of December 1948, after Cardinal Mindszenty had chosen to stay in Budapest even after he had been encouraged to escape to Rome, and just ten days before his arrest and subsequent torture, he wrote:

“Everywhere and always, only that happens which God permits… The world can deprive us of many things, but it cannot take away our faith in Jesus Christ… We cannot behave like men without faith or hope. Let us pray for those among us whose nerves are frayed by present events, and who alarm and panic others around them.  Let us pray that the bell of peace will toll in their tormented hearts, and that their way will be lighted by our Lord’s question to the disciples on the stormy sea, ‘Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith?’…

“Despite the hurricane around us, the Lord’s ship cannot sink.  After all, what is there to fear? 

Death? My life is Christ’s and death would be my gain.

Exile? The Lord has given us the whole world and its beauty.  

Confiscation?  We did not bring anything into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. 

I despise that with which the world tries to frighten me.  I laugh at the way the world tries to seduce me.  I urge you to remain indomitably courageous and unfalteringly firm.”[10]

            This book has many more treasure than the ones quoted here.  It includes the personal diary excerpts of Sister Adelaide, who accompanied Mother Mindszenty on her travels to the prison and who gives an account the of the suffering of religious men and women when disbanded from their communities.  There are commentaries from bishops, priests, and Christian leaders of other denominations, speaking to the integrity and holiness of the Cardinal.  There are touching stories of the support and honor given to Mindszenty and the affection and care he gave in return.  This book provides a moving account of the life of this Servant of God who is a hero and a model for our time.

 

The book, Mindszenty the Man, can be found here and here for purchase or in a library here.  ISBN 13: 9783549073100

 Bibliography:

McManus, John F. “Phyllis Schlafly Conservative Icon 1924-2016.” New American 32, no. 19 (2016): 10–15.

Vecsey, Joseph, as told to Phyllis Schlafly. Mindszenty the Man. St. Louis: Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation, 1972.

“Servant of God.” At Mindszenty Foundation, Magyarországi Mindszenty Alapítvány at www.mindszentyalapitvany.hu.

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[1] Pope John Paul II, quoted at “Servant of God” at Mindszenty Foundation, Magyarországi Mindszenty Alapítvány at www.mindszentyalapitvany.hu.
[2] Phyllis Schlafly, Introduction, Mindszenty the Man. (St. Louis: Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation, 1972), 5-6.
[3] John F. McManus, “Phyllis Schlafly Conservative Icon 1924-2016,” New American 32, no. 19 (2016), 11.
[4] Cardinal Mindszenty quoted by Joseph Vecsey, Mindszenty the Man, as told to Phyllis Schlafly, (St. Louis: Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation, 1972), 83.
[5] Vecsey, Mindszenty the Man, 15.
[6] Vecsey, Mindszenty the Man, 18.
[7] Vecsey, Mindszenty the Man, 18-19.
[8] Vecsey, Mindszenty the Man, 66.
[9] Vecsey, Mindszenty the Man, 46.
[10] Quoted by Vecsey, Mindszenty the Man, 102.