{"id":60773,"date":"2021-10-31T17:17:14","date_gmt":"2021-10-31T16:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/topa.be\/sint-pauluskerk\/beschrijving\/spc-sermon-confession-music\/spc-the-confessionals\/"},"modified":"2021-11-07T16:47:44","modified_gmt":"2021-11-07T15:47:44","slug":"biechtstoelen","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/topa.be\/en\/sint-pauluskerk\/beschrijving\/predicatie-biecht-muziek\/biechtstoelen\/","title":{"rendered":"SPK The Confessionals"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Saint Paul\u2019s, the Antwerp Dominican church, a revelation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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A church for sermon, confession and music<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Confessionals<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\"\"For monastic priests as the Dominicans, acting as spiritual advisers and \/ or confessors is an important part of their mission. After all \u2018forgiveness<\/strong>\u00a0for sins\u2019 is part of the liberating power of Jesus\u2019 gospel. At their visit at the nearby cattle and food markets quite a few believers took advantage of the presence of anonymous confessors to open up their hearts, especially for their annual Easter confession. Because the demand for the sacrament of confession had increased a lot, no less than ten confessors had to be able to be ready in as many confessionals. This is why in 1657-59 a new series of high Baroque oak confessionals were designed and executed by Peter I Verbruggen. \"\"Along the entire length of each aisle five confessionals have been fitted into one continuous panelling, with next to the confessants twenty life size statues. The woodcarving of these pieces of church furniture testifies to lively\u00a0narrative art<\/strong>. Man\u2019s inner struggle between good and evil is being depicted. With\u00a0infinite phantasy<\/strong>\u00a0the putti with their attributes represent the feelings living in the confessants\u2019 souls. On the one hand man\u2019s constant inner conflict is made visible by the fight between various virtues and vices. It is quite clear that the power of fiery dogs, roaring lions, squabbling roosters, lecherous monkeys or a real \u2018scapegoat\u2019, \"\"as allegories of evil, must be curbed and tamed. On the other hand for example the tools of Jesus\u2019 passion stand for God\u2019s mercy and the liberation of our sins by Jesus\u2019 sacrifice of love. Further playful putti and frolicsome animals witness to regained joy in life after the sacramental reconciliation with God: thus a butterfly emerging from a caterpillar speaks of resurrection into inconceivable new life. Children\u2019s games, such as bouncing balls, blowing bubbles and a cat and mouse game have to stimulate celestial virtuousness without necessarily spoiling the fun\u2026 A fox nibbling from grapes refers to a churchgoer who wants to receive Holy Communion unworthily, i.e. without confession.<\/p>\n

Each of the confessionals is formed by four \u2018striking statues\u2019: two angels flanking the priest\u2019s booth and at the exteriors each time a male and a female saint. In each of the ten confessionals against the long aisle walls a different theme that is linked to confession is depicted. Together they constitute a\u00a0spiritual game of chess<\/strong>, in which the opposite confessional in the other aisle develops a similar train of thought.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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NORTH
\n<\/strong>choir \/ altar<\/strong><\/td>\n		\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nSOUTH<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1) the holiness of family life<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1) the holiness of convent life<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2) \u00a0the longing for a just death<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2) remorse and penitence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3) faith and love<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3) the Eucharist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4) pelgrimage (as a means for sanctification)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4) the inner path for meditation (for those who are locked up)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5) bloody martyrdom<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5) unbloody martyrdom<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The fact that \u2018bloody martyrdom\u2019 ends fatally does not mean that unbloody martyrdom should be less heroic, when one is persecuted without paying with one\u2019s life, such as Dominican Ludovicus Bertrandus, who made a stand for South American Indians.<\/p>\n

Moreover there are family links between the Southern and the Northern side. Peter opposes his brother Andrew, John his brother James. And there is even an analogous detail: the number of three stones with Agnes of Montepulciano and an equal number of medallions with Margaret of Castello (third confessional, respectively in the Southern and Northern aisle).<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The confessionals in the southern aisle from east to west<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Confessional (A)
\nconfession as a means for the holiness of (Dominican) convent life<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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In confession everybody seeks salvation, especially those who belong to the Dominican order, after the example of their founder, Saint Dominic. As well the flaming heart of the first angel, as the crown of thorns of the second one refer to the loving readiness of the religious to follow Christ, sometimes through severe ascesis and sacrifice, such as member of the third order\u00a0Catharine of Siena<\/strong>\u00a0(1347-1380).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
A4<\/td>\nCatharine of Siena chases two \u2018hellish\u2019 snakes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A6<\/td>\nDominic with dog with a torch and (Bible?) book.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A24<\/td>\npilaster: cat and mouse: below a putto is holding the cat by its tail, on top another putto is holding a mouse by means of a string that has been tied at its tail. But what is the precise message here? Temptations are so playful, control yourself?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Confessional (B)
\nremorse and penance stimulate confession<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\"Apostle Peter\u2019s key (maybe two originally) represents the (\u2018key\u2019-)power he received from Jesus to forgive sins on Earth and so to open the gates of Heavenly bliss. The rooster at his feet reminds him of his sinning heavily by denying Jesus. But once he realized what he had done, at the crowing of the rooster, he showed remorse and \u201cwept bitterly\u201d (Lk. 22;62).<\/p>\n

This is the plainest group of confessional statues and exceptionally the admonishing and penitent angels carry no attributes.<\/p>\n

Mary Magdalen in a hair sheet, with the traditional balm vase, but also a string of pearls that has to suggest the preciousness of the perfume.<\/p>\n

On the panels the tools of Jesus\u2019 passion show how Jesus\u2019 suffering has delivered us from our sins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
B1<\/td>\nCentral figure pours water from a pitcher: heavenly grace (of confession). Putti carry pitchers of water, while they keep off \u2018hellish\u2019 animals.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B2<\/td>\nTwo angels kiss as a sign of\u00a0reconciliation<\/em>\u00a0(in opposition of B17 and B21, where two angels look away from each other and turn their backs to each other in B21).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B26<\/td>\nA dancing skeleton rolls two dead man\u2019s bones on a drum and makes one think of mortality.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Confessional (C)
\nthe full encounter with Christ in the Eucharist (thanks to confession)<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\"The great Dominican scholar Thomas Aquinas wrote the proper of Corpus Christi and composed\u00a0Lauda Sion<\/em>; hence his daily tools: pen and inkwell. He can be identified by the chain on his chest with on it the sun of philosophy, which alludes to the conquering light of divine truth.<\/p>\n

The two angels represent prayer: intellectual prayer with a prayer book and that of the illiterate with a rosary. The burning torch upside down at the foot of the left angel symbolizes the quenching of burning (false) lust and may refer to the legend that Thomas chased a tempting prostitute with a burning torch.<\/p>\n

The Dominican nun\u00a0Agnes of Montepulciano<\/strong>\u00a0(1268-1317; canonized in 1726) is said to have eaten only the Eucharistic bread. In her hands she has the lily of purity, a rosary and a small dish with the three stones that, according to the legend, Our Lady gave her to build a convent with. Also the ribbon with the little cross she is wearing around her neck is said to have been a present of Mary to remind her of the moment she was allowed to hold Jesus in her arms briefly.<\/p>\n

The frame of the confessional shows how the grace of the Eucharist is only fully active when approached with a pure heart, or in other words: a heart that is purified by confession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
C1<\/td>\nPutti carrying tritons threaten snakes; other putti flee from dragons.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C2<\/td>\nPutti with bows and arrows and two dogs hunt a fox.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C3<\/td>\nDrumming<\/strong>\u00a0putti: as long as God beats the drum there is sound. This is: the means of grace of the Eucharist.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C6<\/td>\nPutto with a basket full of bread rolls, for which two putti yearn. Putti with bows and arrows chase dogs, cp. \u201cIt is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.\u201d \u00a0(Mth. 15:26; Mk. 7:27), as assimilated in the famous\u00a0Lauda Sion<\/em>, the ode to the Holy Sacrament. Putti embrace.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C13<\/td>\nCentral cartouche: two putti in adoration for the Holy Sacrament, in the middle of sunbeams; lunula in the form of a half-moon.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C23<\/td>\nCartouche: putti shake out a garment \u2013 the believer comes into the confessional to open up his soul.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C24<\/td>\nPilaster: fox, garlands of grapes and fruit.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C26<\/td>\nPilaster:\u00a0fox nibbles from grapes<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 unworthy sinner wants to receive communion without confessing remorsefully beforehand (= the altar of the Holy Sacrament, pillar A2)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Confessional (D)
\nthe inner path of meditation as a means for (confession and) sanctification<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Owing to certain circumstances, such as imprisonment or banishment, it may be impossible to make a pilgrimage physically Then this person can undertake a purely spiritual pilgrimage on the spot or a \u201clong inside journey\u201d, such as for example John the Evangelist and Saint Barbara.<\/p>\n

John<\/strong>\u00a0is in exile on the Greek isle of Patmos. As a gospel writer he is holding a writing book and a pen in his hands, while at his foot the eagle helpfully holds the inkwell in its beak.<\/p>\n

The two angels meditate about the cross inscription \u201cINRI\u201d and the veil of Veronica in their hands; in other words: in the spiritual path of meditation one can behold such great relics spiritually.<\/p>\n

Saint Barbara<\/strong>\u00a0(3rd<\/sup>\u00a0century), with the martyr\u2019s palm, has the legendary three windowed tower at her foot, in which her father locked her up to prevent any contact with other Christians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
D2<\/td>\nWolves with naked teeth threaten putti, who out of fear hold their hands above their heads: prayer in distress.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D24<\/td>\nPilaster: butterfly \u2013 the soul arising from the death sleep\u2019s cocoon; cricket: prayer in distress, because it only sings when it is hot. People only go to church when things go wrong<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D26<\/td>\nPilaster: three artichokes, which only become tasty when covered with earth \u2013 God leads a sinner to conversion through multiple predicaments.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Confessional (E)
\nunbloody martyrdom<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\"Out of love for Christ one can go to considerable lengths: renounce possessions, honour and power, such as Margaret, or even endure death threats, such as Louis Bertrand.<\/p>\n

The Dominican\u00a0Louis Bertrand<\/strong>\u00a0(Valencia, 1526-1581; beatified in 1605, sanctified in 1671) as a missionary came into collision with the Spanish conquistadors, who exploited the Indians, but he survived an attempt to poison him; hence the cup out of which a poisonous snake writhes.<\/p>\n

Both angels are holding a rosary, one of them also a book of prayers: only by can one (continue to) bear such ordeals.<\/p>\n

Margaret of Hungary<\/strong>\u00a0(1242-1270; canonized in 1943), daughter of Bela IV, king of Hungary and of queen Maria Laskarina (and a granddaughter of the Emperor of Constantinople) out of love for Christ (crucifix in her hands) resigned the double queen\u2019s crown (on the plinth) so that she could become a Dominican nun. One way to win the battle against evil is to be prepared to commit oneself to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
E1<\/td>\nPutti with dogs and armed with spears hunt hares, symbol of sinners who by their own fault live in continuous fear. The hares caught in a cornucopia are the remorseful sinners, who can revive by God\u2019s mercy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
E1<\/td>\nPutti with dogs and armed with nets, spears and horns hunt foxes; writhing snake in plants. The souls are kept out the \u2018hands\u2019 of evil.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The confessionals in the northern aisle, from east to west<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Confessional (F)
\nconfession as a path to holiness of family life<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\"The outstanding example of a holy family is the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Righteous Joseph is there as a middle-aged man, with the lily of his chastity.<\/p>\n

Mary, as Our Lady of the Rosary, has been crowned with a wreath of roses and on the plinth there is a sceptre.<\/p>\n

Two angels are holding both a real wreath of roses in their hands and a string of prayer beads, but of a shorter type. Unlike the prayer book of Dominic and the other religious at the opposite side, the rosary stands for the prayer of the (then quite numerous) illiterate.<\/p>\n

In the panelling the reliefs stimulate harmony in family life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
F2<\/td>\nFiery hound reined in by three putti: restraining juvenile tempestuousness.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
F3<\/td>\nTwo angels turn their backs to each other and admire fruit from the cornucopia: domestic discord at which one looks forward to the rich grace of reconciliation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
F4<\/td>\ndressed putti are holding a garland of grapes, on which two felines are climbing: ? A panther giving off a pleasant smell so that animals follow it: Christ attires people by his example.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
F6<\/td>\nTwo apes, symbol of lechery, look up frightened (literally: petrified) at seeing Medusa\u2019s mask.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Confessional (G)
\nlonging for a just death<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Andrew<\/strong>, the apostle, who prefers longing for God in Heaven to being saved from martyrdom, embraces the tool of his torture, the Saint Andrewr\u2019s cross, and looks longingly up to Heaven.<\/p>\n

The skull and the hour glass of both angels symbolize\u00a0transitoriness of worldly time<\/strong>.\u00a0Saint Catherine of Alexandria<\/strong>\u00a0(4th<\/sup>\u00a0century) was prepared to die for her faith in spite of the tortures; hence the tool of her torture \u2013 the broken wheel \u2013 and the palm of heavenly victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
G4<\/td>\nOur Lady, crowned with twelve stars: they refer to the Apocalypse, but also to Mary\u2019s twelve virtues, according to the religious exercise at the Brotherhood of the Rosary:\u00a0Het Cransken der Twaalf Sterren<\/em>\u00a0(1622) [The wreath of twelve stars<\/em>].<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
G13<\/td>\nSaint Andrew with Saint Andrew\u2019s Cross, supported by two putti, and a palm.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
G5<\/td>\nCartouche: putti are holding the medallion with the beatified Dominican Henry Suso, who on his chest bears the \u2018IHS\u2019 monogram with cross and nails.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Confessional (H)
\nconfession leads to faith and love<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The author of the first collection of canon laws, the Spanish Dominican\u00a0Raymond of Pe\u00f1afort\u00a0<\/strong>(1175-1275) is holding the codex of canon law in his hand, together with the key of confession, to bind and loose (Mth. 16:19).<\/p>\n

For some years he was the confessor of pope Gregory IX, and also of James I of Aragon, and according to tradition he died when he was hearing confession, at the age of one hundred.<\/p>\n

Because of his commitment to purchase the freedom of slaves there is a leg iron on the plinth. For that matter the order of Mercedarian friars regard him as one of their founders. But he himself was often persecuted by Muslims. While Thomas Aquinas laid the basis of the Feast of Corpus Christi, Raymond founded the legal statute of confession. An angel shows the cross of Faith, another one the flaming heart of Love.<\/p>\n

About\u00a0Margaret of Castello<\/strong>\u00a0(1287-1320; beatified in 1609), a member of the third order, who was born blind, it is said that after her death three pearls could be seen in her heart with the image of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, reflecting her intense devotion for the Holy Family. Here there are three squares on her heart and her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
H11<\/td>\nCartouche: two weeping angels with symbols of death \u2013 skull, crossed torch upside down, batwings.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H26<\/td>\nPilaster: two winged putti\u2019s heads: their breath transforms into roses: the rosary prayer, in which each murmured Hail Mary is offered as a rose to Mary.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Confessional (I)
\npilgrimages help to purify<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\"A pilgrimage (either of one\u2019s own free will or by judicial sentence) can help to purify one\u2019s conscience and in the end to make one\u2019s confession. A pilgrimage as a punishment pronounced by court or after confession can also help the criminal or the confessant to further purify and strengthen his state of mind. Because a pilgrimage was not without danger and consequently rather \u2018men\u2019s work\u2019, there are exceptionally two men instead of a male and female saint at this confessional.<\/p>\n

Because of the popularity of his tomb in Compostela\u00a0James the Greater<\/strong>, the apostle, has become the patron saint of pilgrims.<\/p>\n

Jacobus Venetus (1231-1314; officially venerated since 1622), Italian Dominican, was an intense worshipper of the great relics in Rome. An angel shows Veronica\u2019s veil (\u2018kept\u2019 in Saint Peter\u2019s Basilica in Rome) while the other remorsefully mourns over it. The legend tells that Jacobus Venetus found a branch of blossoming roses in winter; hence such a flowery motif around a cross.<\/p>\n

A few nice scenes in half relief, including\u00a0The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Shepherds and The Magii,<\/em>\u00a0represent mysteries of faith that are contemplated on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.<\/p>\n

On the right pilaster: birds fly up to a starry sky and two putti blow (rising) soap bubbles: prayer directed to Heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
I2<\/td>\nTwo putti restrain a lion and hold it by its mane: self-control or how man\u2019s evil propensities must be suppressed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I4<\/td>\nEagle looking at the sun, away from earthly things, beholds God.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I6<\/td>\nThe billy-goat, \u2018Israel\u2019s scapegoat\u2019 and thus the symbol of devilish evil and lechery, is reined in by five putti in various sensory ways: being scared at seeing a mask, feeling pain when beaten with a cane or being pulled at by the horns, being startled by a shrill whistle. The same scene is to be seen in the wall decoration of the Chapel of the Sweet Name of Jesus.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I11<\/td>\nCartouche:\u00a0The adoration of the shepherds<\/em>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I12<\/td>\nCartouche:\u00a0The adoration of the magii<\/em>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I13<\/td>\nCartouche: the blazon of the Pilgrims to Jerusalem.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I20<\/td>\nCartouche:\u00a0The Annunciation<\/em>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I21<\/td>\nCartouche: John the Baptist in a sheepskin, with a little banner of the Cross. The lamb looks more like a dog!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I22<\/td>\nCartouche:\u00a0The Visitation<\/em>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Confessional (J)
\nbloody martyrdom as a path to salvation<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Dominican\u00a0John of Cologne<\/strong>\u00a0(? \u2013 Brielle, 9th<\/sup>\u00a0July 1572) is one of the nineteen Martyrs of Gorkum (beatified in 1675, canonized in 1867), who due to their loyalty to Catholic faith were tortured and hanged. Unfortunately the rope has disappeared from his cape. The martyr\u2019s palm is clear as such. The object in his right hand is said to be the so-called flower pyx of Oirschot, in which the priest of Oirschot kept a twig with some blossoms he had picked on the Martyrs of Gorkum\u2019s grave in 1614. Many years later, the legend says, the twig would still be blossoming and bear exactly nineteen blossoms. The angel is holding a martyr\u2019s palm, his colleague a martyr\u2019s crown.<\/p>\n

According to the legend the Spanish Dominican nun\u00a0Lucia Casta<\/strong>\u00a0(13th<\/sup>\u00a0century, not an official saint by the way and not to be confused with the 3rd<\/sup>\u00a0century Saint Lucia of Syracuse) cut out her eyes to keep her chastity against a young man who became far too obtrusive attracted by her \u2018blue eyes\u2019. Because she was willing to give so much to keep her virtuousness, Christ gave her two new eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
J4<\/td>\nFrieze: two putti help birds that have fallen out of the nest into the nest again; the mother bird observes helplessly and angrily.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The confessional in the southern chapel
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\"\"After the 1679 fire and after the restoration of the Western front in about 1684, at the Northern side of the main entrance a late Baroque confessional was put, by which the total number of these pieces of furniture amounted (again?) to eleven. There Albertus Magnus, who had consecrated the first Saint Paul\u2019s in 1276, awaited the visitors as a \u2018telling statue\u2019 with a wide welcoming gesture. Unfortunately, at the great re-arrangement in 1834 this confessional with the \u2018telling statue\u2019 was moved to the Southern chapel, where in a dull corner Albertus Magnus was deprived of his delight. At the other side of the main porch there were the stalls of the neighbouring Blacksisters. They committed themselves charitably, which explains why the big painting\u00a0The Works of Charity<\/em>\u00a0originally was directly above these stalls.<\/p>\n

Hearing confession for a long time is not the nicest job, and so some more extra warmth was certainly welcome in the then so cold church. This is why in the bottom beneath a lid with vent-holes a so-called\u00a0\u2018lollepot\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0or church stove was built in. The warm air rose up into the confessor\u2019s habit.<\/p>\n

This confessional with magnificent late Baroque would carving is one of the most beautiful ones of its type. Rarely does the structure of such a piece of furniture lie hidden so sublimely behind masterly stage setting. The moved, yet elegant poses of the figures is emphasized by the restless character of innumerable thin pleats in their austere clothes.<\/p>\n

True to the idea of transience, typical of the Western end, above the priest\u2019s cubicle there is Christ of the Last Judgment, accompanied by an angel blowing a trumpet. As his bust in full relief protrudes out of the wooden structure, He gives the impression of taking the place of the Dominican confessor. In this way it is emphasized that sacraments, such as confession, are administered by the living Christ. All the same it reminds the confessant of the fact that absolution here will relieve the Last Judgment. The two angels symbolize important virtues.\u00a0Penitence<\/strong>, on the right, shows its true character and carries tools of penitence.\u00a0Meekness<\/strong>, on the left, bows its head and tramples the laurel wreath of worldly tributes. In its hand it has the lamb of meekness and a\u00a0bouncing ball<\/strong>: \u201cwhoever humbles himself will be exalted\u201c (Mth. 23:11). Against the wall well-known repentant\u00a0sinners encourage the confessant to \u2018make a clean breast of it\u2019:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
EXTREME LEFT<\/strong><\/td>\nLEFT<\/strong><\/td>\n(Jesus)<\/strong><\/td>\nRIGHT<\/strong><\/td>\nEXTREME RIGHT<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mary of Egypt<\/strong><\/td>\nking David<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nMary Magdalen<\/strong><\/td>\nThe \u2018Repentant Thief\u2019 Dismas<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
lion that helped bury
\nher, wears her medal<\/td>\n		harp
\ncrown<\/td>\n		<\/td>\nlong hair<\/td>\ncross<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Women of Samaria<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nthe Prodigal Son<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA church for sermon, confession and music<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Pulpit<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe (main) organ<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe cycle of Paintings The Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSurprising mural paintings and a puzzling inscription<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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