Ugly as Sin
Why They Changed Our Churches from Sacred Places to Meeting Spaces - and How We Can Change Them Back Again
Item Number: 133
Do you think its a shame that Catholic churches have acoustic ceiling tiles and stackable chairs in the nave? Are you shocked or saddened when you walk into a Catholic church and there is no crucifix to be seen? Do you think that Catholic churches should never look like the atrium of a modern hotel inside? Are you frustrated that too much modern Catholic church architecture forgets what "sacred space" even means?
If you have answered "Yes!" to any of these questions, then you should read this book.
"At last! A clear call to arms against liturgical terrorism!"
- Peter Kreeft, Author, Fundamentals of the Faith
The problem with new-style churches isn't just that they're ugly — they actually distort the Faith and lead Catholics away from Catholicism.
So argues Michael S. Rose in these eye-opening pages, which banish forever the notion that lovers of traditional-style churches are motivated simply by taste or nostalgia. In terms that non-architects can understand (and modern architects can't dismiss!), Rose shows that far more is at stake: modern churches actually violate the three natural laws of church architecture and lead Catholics to worship, quite simply, a false god.
Not content to limit himself to theory, Rose takes you on a revealing tour through a traditional church and a modern church. He shows conclusively how the traditional church communicates the Faith, while the modern one simply doesn’t. In the process, he’ll give you a renewed love and gratitude for the gift of faith that is your traditional church — plus a keener sense of just what’s wrong with modern churches that look like anything but churches. Rose provides you with solid arguments (as easy to explain as they are hard to refute!) and practical tools that you can use to reverse the dangerous trend toward desacralized churches — and to make our churches once again into magnificent Houses of God!
“Church architecture has been one of the most painful examples of theological deconstruct-ionism. Rose gives a way out of the mess.”
Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR
Author, The Journey Toward God
“Michael Rose draws a devastating contrast between traditionally designed churches and contemporary ‘functional’ ones that don’t, in fact, function. It is written with humor as well as with the passion we have come to associate with American Catholics who love their Church. And, unlike many critiques, this one ends with positive proposals that can be of real, practical help.”
Fr. Aidan Nichols, OP
Author, Looking at the Liturgy and Christendom Awake
“Church architecture should help people to pray. Michael Rose makes the case that much of contemporary church architecture is an act of war against prayer and the spiritual life.”
Charles E. Rice
Professor of law, Notre Dame Law School and author, The Winning Side
“With some books, the title says it all. In Ugly as Sin: Why They Changed Our Churches from Sacred Places to Meeting Spaces — and How We Can Change Them Back Again, Michael S. Rose rails against the post-Vatican II aesthetic which has, in his opinion, created churches that are “ugly,” “banal,” and “uninspiring.” Looking at the 80 photographs that are interspersed throughout, one has to admit he has a good point; when he notes that one modern tabernacle looks like a birdfeeder, for example, he’s right on the money. Readers will never doubt that Rose’s agenda is to return to the halcyon days of Catholic architecture, but even those who disagree will appreciate his entry-level explanations of key architectural concepts and straightforward writing style.”
Publishers Weekly
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2. The Year of the Priest 06/04/2009
3. Pentecost, the Birth of the Church 02/26/2009
4. Feast of Corpus Christi 02/26/2009
5. Missal Shield Program 01/29/2009
6. January 22 - A Day of Prayer and Penance for Life 01/14/2009
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8. Titles in the Catholic Church 01/06/2009
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12. Gregorian Chant Resources 11/25/2008
13. Catholic Litanies 11/24/2008
14. The Catholic Liturgical Year 11/21/2008
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16. The Altar in Catholic Liturgy 11/04/2008
17. Monthly Dedications of the Church Year 10/24/2008
18. Resources for Eucharistic Adoration 10/21/2008
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20. The Placement of the Tabernacle 10/21/2008
21. Choosing a Catholic Missal 10/17/2008
22. Sacred Vessels - Appropriate Care and Materials 10/13/2008
23. Selecting Your Annual St. Joseph Guide for Prayer 10/07/2008
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29. What is Magnificat Magazine? 03/10/2008
30. Breviary, Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours? 11/12/2007
31. A Primer in Catholic Missals - Part II 05/18/2006
32. A Primer in Catholic Missals - Part I 05/18/2006
33. The Women Who Led the Way 04/01/1996
