Reading Room Paintings

The centerpiece of the library will be the Reading Room, which will feature twin fireplaces at the ends of the room. Above the fireplaces will hang original, large (approximately 4.5’ x 6’) oil paintings by James Patrick Reid, sacred artist and professor of art at Benedictine College.

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For $50,000, donors may dedicate one of these paintings to the honor or memory of a loved one or as a sign of gratitude for St. Benedict and St. Scholastica’s intercession.

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Benedict and Scholastica’s Sacred Conversation

The first painting will depict St. Benedict and St. Scholastica in a famous scene from The Life of Our Most Holy Father St. Benedict by St. Gregory the Great. St. Gregory relates that Scholastica would come to visit Benedict once a year, and she would stay in a house near the gate of the monastery. Benedict and Scholastica spent the day in pious discourse, and, as night fell, Benedict rose to leave. Scholastica entreated him to stay with her to talk through the night of the joys of heavenly life. Benedict refused, saying that he could not stay away from the monastery. Scholastica clasped her hands and bowed her head in prayer. As she raised her head, a tremendous storm suddenly broke such that Benedict was unable to return to the monastery. Thus, Benedict stayed and enjoyed a night of conversation with his sister. The next day Scholastica returned to her cloister, and three days later she died.

The painting depicts an open book on the table, recalling that the students’ purpose, like Benedict and Scholastica, is to ponder eternal truths together. The storm raging outside signifies the trials and tribulations of life as well as the troubled state of our culture. The quiet conversation of the saints shows interior peace in the midst of great troubles. The crucifix calls to mind the central value of Benedictine College, Jesus Christ, and the perpetual call to die to self in service of others.

Adoration of the Madonna and Child by Benedict and Scholastica

Opposite this scene from the end of Scholastica’s life will be a mystical sacra conversazione (sacred conversation) between Benedict, Scholastica, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus. Benedict and Scholastica, pictured with their traditional symbols of a raven and a dove, both hold croziers, symbolizing their spiritual leadership of Benedictine College. Mary presents Christ to the two saints, as Benedict gestures down toward the Benedictine College campus, recalling the closing lines from the Prologue of the Rule of Saint Benedict: “Therefore we intend to establish a school for the Lord’s service. In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. . . We shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom.”

This image will be a clear reminder to the students of the intercession of St. Benedict, St. Scholastica, and the Virgin Mary for the difficult work that they undertake at the College. The painting of these great saints offers them as exemplars of how to pray and work such that “in all things God may be glorified.”

About the Artist

James Patrick Reid has been painting since childhood – historical scenes, portraits, and landscapes. He studied at the Catholic University of America and the New York Studio School, and earned a master’s degree in painting at Indiana University.

A particular interest, which has grown over the years following his spiritual awakening at age fifteen, is the intersection of art with theology and the spiritual life. He has written and lectured much on this subject, beginning with an M.Div. thesis at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary.

Reid comes to Benedictine College after decades of teaching painting and drawing in New York City, at the Art Students League, the New York Academy, and the Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as teaching online the history and theory of Catholic art for the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

His paintings can be viewed at JamesPatrickReid.com and SacredPaintings.org, and some of his published writings can be found at TheCatholicThing.org and TheImaginativeConservative.org.