Intercom Features

Expressing the Soul
By Erin Reder

When St. Pius X Catholic Church in Weslaco, Texas, opens this spring, the church will be adorned with 18 decorative santos created by our very own S. Roberta Westrick. For the past 18 months, S. Roberta has been working on the panels for the reredos (screen) behind the church’s altar. S. Anne Darlene Wojtowicz and Associate Viola Elizondo are involved in the parish, and asked S. Roberta if she would be interested in the project. She sent her samples to the leadership committee, and was approved immediately. “The process is somewhat labor intensive,” S. Roberta said. Sister explained she chose ½-inch plywood for the project, and drew the figures sized to the boards. She then primed the boards with a warm gesso ( a preparation of plaster of Paris and glue used as a surface for painting), sanded, and applied the gesso three more times for a nice finish. The figures stenciled to the boards were painted with watercolors. Two coats of varnish were applied, and each panel was then waxed to preserve the varnish. A working artist in this art form, Sister’s passion for creating santos or saints/holy images began more than 15 years ago. While pastoral associate at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Colorado Springs, S. Roberta realized she needed a diversion from her work. She was given the book “Christian Images in Hispanic New Mexico” by William Wroth and quickly realized she had found what she was looking for. “The history of the saints as seen and loved by early settlers of New Mexico was touching and very appealing to my spirit,” S. Roberta said. “I knew that I could draw and decided that this would be a great hobby – and would give me something to do after work.” She could never imagine, however, where her hobby would take her. Major projects have been pouring in, one after the other. In 2001, S. Roberta was commissioned to complete 46 tiles for an outdoor art display depicting the patron saints of each parish in the Colorado Springs Diocese. The tiles are now on two frames in the Cathedral’s Plaza de los Santos. Since, Sister created two additional tiles for new parishes in the diocese. Her work also can be found at St. Gabriel Episcopal Church in Denver, Pikes Peak Community College and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colorado Springs, as well as in private collections throughout the United States. Her favorite piece, however, wasn’t commissioned for a church, but completed for an art show at Regis University in Denver, Colo. In 2001, Sister painted a large cross, and in its elbow were four santos – St. Elizabeth Seton, St. Frances Cabrini, St. Katherine Drexel and Kateri Tekawitha. “I called the piece ‘The Holy Women of North America,’” Sister said. “I have really enjoyed working on all the commissions and projects I have painted.” Sister retired from active ministry in May 2008, and is currently the manager and caretaker of Congregational properties in Cascade, Colo., while continuing to pursue her art commissions. Next on her plate is to create a tile for Holy Family parish in Leadville, Colo., to add to the Cathedral display. Sister also has requests for seven smaller pieces. “Creativity, I believe, is an expression of my soul, thus various hobbies have always been part of my life,” S. Roberta said. “Being a santera (saint maker) is an activity that fills my soul with rest, grace and life. Being creative is a very profound spiritual activity for me filled with God. I’m surrounded in the holy with Our Lady, the angels and saints.”

St. Anthony St. Catherine of Siena St. Elizabeth Ann Seton St. Francis Cabrini St. John

St. Francis	St. Martin	St. Therese
St. Luke	St. Jude	St. Little Flower
St. Matthew	St. Peregrine	St. Mark
St. Vincent DePaul	St. Joan of Arc

 

The History of Santos Santos (painted and carved images of saints) have lived in the homes of Hispanic New Mexican and Native American families for hundreds of years. Missionary priests needed “visual aids” to help explain the stories of the saints and the Passion of Christ to the native peoples and used printed images from Spain. At first, some statues were brought from Spain and Mexico but the responsibility for making santos was handled by Franciscan friars and then by local craftspersons and artists . Gradually artists began to carve and paint the popular saints to supply New Mexican churches and homes. From www.collectorsguide.com

 

back to top

 

 

Charity Resources In MemoriamSeton Enablement Fund