Archives Display: Ade Bethune

Have you ever seen or heard of the works of Ade Bethune?  In honor of Pope Francis declaring 2016 a Holy Year of Mercy the archives are displaying a variety of artwork by Ade Bethune depicting the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy and Spiritual Works of Mercy.  Ade Bethune was a world-renowned liturgical artist and social activist. Ms. Bethune was especially talented at drawing Biblical scenes and saints.  Her drawings normally would tend to be ordinary people doing chores and performing acts of mercy.  Later on in her life Ade Bethune was asked to do pieces for churches such as creating crucifixes, statues, stained glass and designing churches.

The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy are:

1.       To feed the hungry

2.       Give drink to the thirsty

3.       Shelter the homeless

4.       Visit the sick

5.       Visit the prisoners

6.       Bury the dead

7.       Give alms to the poor
 




The display includes both cards and drawings depicting the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy and two drawings of Spiritual Works of Mercy.  There are also cards of St. Peter Claver, St. Margaret and St. Vincent de Paul.  Ade Bethune was responsible for creating all of the blocks that were used to create these images and carved some from wood, while others were made of metals such as zinc and copper.

Ms. Bethune also did many works with churches and stained glass windows.  The works currently on display are a hand drawing of St. Theresa and a depiction of the completed window.  The display also features her sketches for the Precious Blood Monastery in Brooklyn, New York which was done in the late 1930's.

For more information on the history of St. Catherine University, visit the Archives and Special Collections online or in person in Room 62 in the lower level of the Library; open Monday-Friday from 9:30-4:30