JACK STAGLIANO, O.S.A.
A former associate professor of studio art at Villanova University and painter, Brother Jack Stagliano O.S.A. is also a certified liturgical design consultant who has guided the renovation of church interiors in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and West Virginia. He has also given numerous presentations on 'Art and Environment for Catholic Worship'. His art has been exhibited in numerous galleries and academic institutions, including Union Theological Seminary, NY, the Washington Theological Union, Georgetown University and the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago. He earned a Masters in Fine Arts from Bard College and studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Speaking about his art, Brother Jack says,
"So much of the art today is based on the 'wham', the 'pow'. For example, pop art is something that strikes you hard. It's strong, forceful. My intention, however, especially in my abstract painting, but even to some extent in my realistic painting, is to be just the opposite of that - calming, tranquil. There's so little in our lives today that offers peace and stillness.
While I paint for myself and anyone else who appreciates the outcome, the artist is called, as we all are, to re-explore creation and the divine within ourselves. The innate desire to create is a help in exploring our own inner landscapes, our innermost selves. St. Augustine is very emphatic about the connection between knowing oneself and knowing God."
FATHER RICHARD CANNULI O.S.A.
Among other accomplishments, Father Richard G. Cannuli, O.S.A. is a noted watercolorist and Iconographer. As a certified liturgical design artist and consultant, Fr. Cannuli has created designs for worship spaces, stained glass windows and vestments. He received his Masters in Fine Arts from Pratt Institute and his Bachelor's from Villanova University. He also studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the New York Art Students League. Speaking about his art Fr. Cannuli says,
"Art is not a metaphor for creation; it is the continuation of its presence. In creativity we begin to know the Creator. I most fervently want to impart the spirit of joyous union that comes from the concentration on this spiritual and beautiful journey.
"Sketching, carpentry and tailoring were interests of my childhood, each tutored and encouraged by my family. Later, as an undergraduate and graduate student, I explored and worked in metals, ceramics, oil and acrylic painting, sculpture and fabric.
"These and other art pursuits occupied my time, accompanied my teaching career, and my vocation as an Augustinian. My yearning for greater depth and authenticity is fueled by my spiritual life. My productivity is self propelled, and I channel as much as possible through myself by working and creating art works.
"Gradually and contimoously, I am beginning to be more the expression, rather than the maker of expressions. The seeking within, and liturgical education that harvested in my ordination to the priesthood was significantly instrumental in all that I do now."
FATHER JOSEPH GENITO, O.S.A.
Fr. Joseph Genito, O.S.A., born in the Bronx and raised in Carthage, NY, has been writing songs for over 30 years. He joined the Order in 1967, was ordained in 1975 and has served the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova in parish, school and formation ministries.
His purpose in writing and publishing these songs is primarily to raise funds for the benefit of the poor in our Missions. It is his hope that those who listen to these songs will find in them inspiration and comfort.
FATHER SHAWN TRACY, O.S.A.
Fr. Shawn Tracy, O.S.A., was born in Washington, DC on March 6, 1940. He joined the Order of St. Augustine in 1958 and upon his ordination to the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church in 1966, he was sent to St. Nicholas of Tolentine high school in the Bronx, NY. There he taught in the parish high school and did ministry work in the parish. In doing so, Fr. Shawn began to develop a style of music to fill a gap that was present after the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council. This new music was created in the folk tradition that was burgeoning in the church at the time.
Fr. Shawn Tracy, OSA, has written and produced music for prayer and contemplation over the last forty years. Over that period of time there was a steady stream of wonderful liturgical music beginning with the album “He Shall Be Peace” in 1978. The recordings “Seed” (1982) and “Sanctuary (1986) followed very quickly. These recordings are exceptional in faithfully presenting scripture in the rich clothing of chant, metrical hymn and contemporary psalmody.
In 1995 Fr. Shawn stepped down from the directorship of Campus Ministry to devote more time to his ministries with spiritual music, retreats and liturgy. The album “Magnificat” was released in 1996, “Passion” in 1999, and “Ancient Light” in 2002.” All three recordings have received critical acclaim from spiritual circles both in the United States and abroad. Their subtitles refer to this music as “Ritual Music For Prayer and Contemplation.” And indeed they are faithful to that identity.
FR. HENRY SYVINSKI, O.S.A. 1919-1999
Fr. Syvinski was born in Amesbury, MA in 1919. He entered the Order of Saint Augustine in 1937, professed his first vows in 1940 and was ordained to the Priesthood in 1947. He received a Masters in Fine Arts from Catholic University.
After several years in parochial ministry he was assigned to Villanova University and began teaching there in 1958 to his retirement in 1990. Besides teaching art and theology, he was, for many years, the moderator of the Villanova Marching and Concert Bands.
He was a gifted artist who was generous in sharing his talents with others, particularly in teaching a course in painting to his brothers at the St. Thomas Monastery at Villanova. Brother William Bohman ("Brother Pat") became one of his famous students, whose art was used by the University for its catalogs for many years. Fr.
Syvinski's art, which includes painting and sculpture, has been exhibited world wide. He died at Villanova in 1999.
BROTHER WILLIAM BOHMANN, O.S.A. 1901-1984
Brother "Patrick" as he was known in religious life, was born in Cloppenburg, Oldenburg, Germany in 1901. He first immigrated with his family to Canada and in 1931 he moved to the Bronx.
He was received as a novice with the German Augustinians of the Canada Province and completed his novitiate in Germany where he professed first vows in 1939. He returned to the Canadian Province and professed final vows in 1942. He worked in the Canada until being assigned to the Monastery at Villanova University.
Brother Patrick became renowned among Villanovans for two of his talents, gardening and art. He made the Villanova monastery a place of beauty and peace with his gardening. In his later years he learned to paint from Fr. Syvinski and he chiefly painted scenes of the Villanova campus which were used for many years as the covers for the University's summer school catalogs. His art is characterized by simplicity and a cheerful and exuberant use of color. He died at Villanova in 1984.
BROTHER THOMAS JOHNSON, O.S.A.
1953-1988
Brother Thomas Johnston was born in Detroit in 1953 and graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School (staffed by the Province) in Drexel Hill, PA, after which he entered the seminary. He professed first vows in 1976 and final vows in 1979.
He received a Bachelors degree in Fine Art from Villanova and a Masters from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. He also studied liturgical music at St. Joseph's College in Rennselear, Indiana. He taught religion and fine art at St. Nicholas of Tolentine High School in the Bronx. From 1982 until his death, he taught fine art at Villanova University. He was generous in sharing his great musical and liturgical talents with the parish in the Bronx and with St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, Rosemont, PA. He was a regular consultant on church renovations throughout the Northeast. His art appears in Augustinian publications throughout the world and his design for a wrought iron choir screen graces the Church of Santa Lucia in Rome. His rendition of the Crucifixion is particularly distinctive and in widespread use.
He died in January of 1988.
FATHER JOHN ROTELLE, O.S.A.
1939-2002
Fr. John Rotelle was born in Ambler, PA 1n 1939. After graduating from Malvern Preparatory School in 1956, he entered the Order and professed first vows in 1957. After graduating from Villanova University, he studied in Rome. He received his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University, Rome. He also studied Liturgy at the Instituto San Anselmo. He was Ordained in Rome in 1965.
He was intimately involved with the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council, working first in Rome during the Council and then serving as executive director of ICEL (the International Committee on English in the Liturgy) where he supervised the translation of all of the texts for the Liturgy of the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. Later he served as “Master” (director) of professed seminarians at the Order’s seminaries in both Rome and Washington, D.C. In 1982 he was appointed Director of Communications for the Province and began the work of founding Augustinian Press in 1983 and later the Augustinian Heritage Institute. From 1983 until his death in 2002 he worked tirelessly at the translation of the works of Augustine and Augustinian scholars such as Saint Thomas of Villanova. During this time he also served as Secretary of the Province from 1994-2002.
He compiled and edited the works of Augustine and many other “Fathers” of the Church, developing volumes as companions to the Liturgy of the Hours. He researched Augustinian art from around the world and made it available in cards.
