Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Jesus with a Sense of Humor

At St. Bonaventure Cemetery, I managed to find a few statues and headstones that made me giggle.

This one doesn't seem funny at first glance, but when you look more closely....

Why does it look like Mary's left breast is exposed??


Also, why does Jesus have the body of a baby, but the head of a man? And what the heck is going on under his gown?




Nearby, I found a crypt with some busts on top.



Very realistic...



And very creepy. This one reminds me of the old preacher man from Poltergeist 2: "You're all gonna die in there!!"


And finally....I know it's not intended to be funny, but check out Jesus as Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

The Twelfth Station

The Twelfth Station of the Cross (Jesus Dies on the Cross) at St. Bonaventure Cemetery is built into a huge grotto.



The grotto itself is beautiful and detailed...

but at the stop is a fantastic life-sized sculpture of the Crucifixion.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

The Stations of the Cross

As we were driving home from Watkins Glen, we travelled through Olean, NY, home of St. Bonaventure University. I've driven through before but didn't have time to stop to take pictures at the enormous cemetery there. Luckily, Dave was game, so we took a break so I could take some photos.
St. Bonaventure Cemetery is home to a stunning collection of the Stations of the Cross.
The Stations of the Cross tell the story of the Passion of Christ in 14 steps. It's a common Lenten practice for Catholics to follow the Stations as a reflection of Christ's sacrifice. I'm a lapsed Catholic myself, so my interest in these was purely from an artistic standpoint. They are incredible.
The Stations at St. Bonaventure were constructed in 1926, and they are showing their age beautifully. I processed all of these in my beloved Lomo (A2D, link in sidebar).

Station I: Jesus is Condemned to Death

Station II: Jesus Receives the Cross

Station III: The First Fall
Station IV: Jesus Meets His Mother


Station V: Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross


Station VI: Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face with Her Veil
Station VII: The Second Fall

Station VIII: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

Station IX: The Third Fall
Station X: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments


Station XI: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Station XII: Jesus Dies on the Cross
(Note: The Twelfth Station is built into a beautiful grotto with a statue of The Crucifixion on top. More on this tomorrow.)

Station XIII: Jesus' Body is Removed from the Cross

Station XIV: Jesus' Body is Laid in the Tomb