New art journal revels in riches of Catholic south Louisiana

Above: Dr. Jordan Haddad, left, president of the St. Louis IX Art Society, and Danny Fitzpatrick, editor of “Joie de Vivre,” said the cultural tapestry of south Louisiana has been enhanced by Catholic artists, both past and present. Above: The cover of the inaugural issue of “Joie de Vivre” (pictured below) features Covington artist Blair Piras’ painting of St. Joan of Arc. (Photo by Beth Donze, Clarion Herald)

By BETH DONZE
Clarion Herald

The latest initiative of the archdiocesan ministry dedicated to fostering appreciation for Catholic sacred art will debut as a 32-page, full-color magazine that will land in the hands of subscribers in the first week of March.

“Joie de Vivre,” the St. Louis IX Art Society’s new quarterly print journal exploring the Catholic art, history and letters of south Louisiana, highlights  the varied and awe-inspiring ways in which the Catholic faithful have enlivened our region’s unique culture – and continue to enliven it.

“When people pick up this journal, I want them to have that sense of when I read about this parish, when I read this poem, when I encounter this short story, I’m encountering myself in these pages, and I’m seeing the places that I know, and I’m hearing the voices of the people that I’ve grown up with and who have inspired my faith,” said “Joie de Vivre” editor Danny Fitzpatrick.

Local, regional interest

Packed with articles touching on everything from architecture to history to food, the inaugural “Spring 2023” issue boasts vibrant photographs and exquisite, hand-drawn illustrations. Stories bound to strike a chord among residents of the Archdiocese of New Orleans include Brandon Briscoe’s appreciation of the annual Good Friday walk to nine churches – which Briscoe notes is possible only because New Orleans is “among the few U.S. cities with at least nine churches within walking distance.”

Another piece with local flavor is a heartfelt tribute to Ye Olde College Inn restaurant, Notre Dame Seminary’s across-the-street neighbor on South Carrollton Avenue. The essay marks the first installment in the continuing journal series “Le Jongleur de Notre Dame,” in which anonymous writers will review restaurants, festivals, museums and other cultural touchstones.

In an article written further afield from New Orleans, Baton Rouge-based architect Joshua Hoffpauir pays tribute to the numerous Catholic immigrants who boldly brought their faith to south Louisiana – “the French, Spanish, African, German, Italian, Irish and many other peoples” who left their mark on the state’s stunning ecclesiastical architecture.

“Like beads in a rosary, each of the churches threaded along the bayous remind us of the faith and prayer that our communities were built upon,” Hoffpauir writes, recalling his personal thrill of locating a carving of the Last Supper that had been set aside during a previous restoration of his childhood church of St. Michael the Archangel in Crowley – and then returning it to its rightful place of honor in the church’s reredos.

“Many of us born in south Louisiana have not inherited gold or silver or land, but have inherited something greater … our beautiful Catholic faith,” Hoffpauir notes.

Artist interviews on tap

The quarterly journal also will delve into what inspires those who make sacred art and other elements of Catholic culture. The first in this series – a Q&A conducted by artist and “Joie de Vivre” assistant editor Blair Piras – uncovers northshore artist Jaclyn Warren’s love for the Eucharist and stained-glass windows, the latter of which is the first thing Warren says she notices upon entering a church.

“I’m in awe of the way the light and glass interact with each other, and I’m in awe of the people who make it,” Warren shares.

Later in the journal, Piras turns the mirror on herself in a piece detailing the research and imagery that went into her larger-than-life painting of St. Joan of Arc. Piras’ painting, which graces the journal’s front cover, tells of yet another mission of the St. Louis IX Art Society: the commissioning of works of sacred art for under-resourced parishes and schools (in the case of Piras’ St. Joan, the painting was gifted to Hurricane Ida-damaged St. Joan of Arc Church in LaPlace).

A section for lovers of the written word will appear in every issue of “Joie de Vivre.” The inaugural volume includes a short story written by Fitzpatrick, the author of three novels and a Jesuit High School English teacher; two original poems; and an essay by Dr. Christopher Baglow, the former Notre Dame Seminary professor who is now on the faculty of the University of Notre Dame. Baglow’s peek at the faith journey of Southern writer Walker Percy reveals that the Alabama-born novelist experienced a renewal of his Catholic faith while recovering from tuberculosis.

Finding God’s presence locally

St. Louis IX Art Society president Dr. Jordan Haddad said the journal is the sacred art ministry’s attempt to expose as many people as possible to the “gleaming heart” of Catholic culture in south Louisiana. He said that although there are many excellent nationwide publications that attempt to speak to the American church, there is nothing quite like the new journal and its regional bent. 

“I think the unique regional focus of this journal will be very appealing to people, because we’re falling apart as a nation,” Haddad said. “But regionally, I think we still share a lot in common with each other, and this journal can help us realize that and strengthen (those connections).”

Haddad hopes readers will not only learn more about their faith but also will discover “that to be Catholic in this world is not simply a losing proposition where all I can say is, ‘Here’s what’s wrong with the world.’”

“Instead, (readers) will be able to look at the world, with God, and say, ‘It is good,’ and rejoice in that through this culture that is present to us,” Haddad said.

The inaugural issue of “Joie de Vivre” was underwritten by Cody Reed, a parishioner of St. Peter Church in Covington and a member of the northshore KCs. In addition to Haddad, Fitzpatrick and Piras, the journal’s editorial team is composed of Michael Lane, assistant editor; and Rachel Moore, designer.

To subscribe to the new art journal and to access weekly online articles related to the Catholic cultural heritage of south Louisiana, visit jdvjournal.com. To reserve a printed copy of the inaugural issue, orders must be placed by Feb. 20.

For information on individual subscriptions, discounted subscriptions through your church parish, or to contact the editor with story ideas, comments or submissions, email Danny Fitzpatrick at [email protected].

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