Name/Title
Carved NichesEntry/Object ID
2025.9.4Description
Title [assigned by archives]: Carved Niches
These low-relief niche carvings depict the past, present, and future of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI). They were commissioned as part of the 2006-2007 renovation of the Chapel, which coincided with the 100-year anniversary of the Chapel’s opening in 1907. The carvings are set into niches behind the altar and serve as a background for liturgical celebrations.
Artist Renate Rohn designed and painted the carvings. Using Rohn’s designs, Woodcrafter Edmund Rabanser carved the reliefs from German linden wood in his studio in Ortisei, Italy. From left to right, the niches depict the following:
1) Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis (1817 - 1895), a founder of the CCVI Congregation and second Catholic bishop of Texas
2) The three founding CCVI Sisters: Mother Madeleine Chollet (1846 - 1906), Mother St. Pierre Cinquin (1845 - 1891), and Sister Mary Agnes Buisson (1838 - 1914)
3) The Annunciation, the central mystery of the CCVI Congregation
4) CCVI Sisters following the call to serve in healthcare and education missions
5) The Word of God, represented by the Book of Gospels, sends forth the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, associates, missionaries, and co-ministers on mission
Título [asignado por los archivos]: Tallas de nichos
Estas tallas de nichos en bajorrelieve representan el pasado, el presente y el futuro de la Congregación de las Hermanas de la Caridad del Verbo Encarnado (CCVI). Fueron encargadas como parte de la renovación de la capilla en 2006-2007, que coincidió con el centenario de la inauguración de la capilla en 1907. Las tallas están colocadas en nichos detrás del altar y sirven de fondo para las celebraciones litúrgicas.
La artista Renate Rohn diseñó y pintó las tallas. Utilizando los diseños de Rohn, el artesano Edmund Rabanser talló los relieves en madera de tilo alemán en su estudio de Ortisei, Italia. De izquierda a derecha, los nichos representan lo siguiente:
1) El obispo Claude Marie Dubuis (1817 – 1895), fundador de la Congregación CCVI y segundo obispo católico de Texas.
2) Las tres Hermanas CCVI fundadoras: Madre Madeleine Chollet (1846 - 1906), Madre St. Pierre Cinquin (1845 - 1891) y Hermana Mary Agnes Buisson (1838 - 1914).
3) La Anunciación, misterio central de la Congregación CCVI.
4) Las Hermanas CCVI siguiendo la llamada a servir en misiones de salud y educación.
5) La Palabra de Dios, representada por el Libro de los Evangelios, envía a las Hermanas de la Caridad del Verbo Encarnado, a los asociados, a los misioneros y a los comisionados a la misión.Type of Sculpture
ReliefCollection
HIM-US-Communities-MotherhouseMade/Created
Artist
Renate Rohn and Edmund RabanserDate made
2006 - 2007Time Period
21st CenturyLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
CarvingNomenclature Primary Object Term
SculptureNomenclature Class
ArtNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsLOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Nuns, Bas-reliefs, Religious art objectsDimensions
Dimension Description
Annunciation: 140" h x 67" w // Other niches: Approximately 88" h x 36" w eachResearch Notes
Research Type
CuratorNotes
"Through a lifetime of professional art experience, Renate Rohn has brought her artistic skills to thousands of churches and historic art restoration projects. Her expertise includes custom murals, paintings and icons; statue and painting restoration; and artistic visions for paintings, statuary, mosaics and art glass."Research Type
CuratorNotes
"Nearly half a century ago, Rudolph Rohn discovered a brilliant young artisan whose God-given talent allowed him to carve masterpieces from wood. So strong was Rudolph’s faith in this gifted woodcarver that he entrusted him with his first major commission. That young artisan was Edmund Rabanser—who would go on to become one of the world’s preeminent master woodcarvers.
Today [05/28/2016], with heartfelt sympathy, Rolf Rohn shares the news of Edmund’s passing. A trusted collaborator and dear friend, Edmund was a true artist—devoted to creating one-of-a-kind sacred works through simple Old World craftsmanship in his treasured Ortisei studio, nestled in his home overlooking the Italian Alps."
