Sacred Passion

"This glorious book, Sacred Passion, tells the story of a lifetime of craftsmanship devoted to the service of God. It reminds readers not simply of the place in the spiritual life of art, but also of space. Mr. Schickel's life also helps to explain why the master builders of the cathedrals of the early and late middle ages were content to labor for centuries until they got it right. Art matters. It matters because it can help to lead us to God. Thomas Merton's heart, formerly hardened against organized religion, was softened when as a young man he wondered into some of the great cathedrals of Western Europe. My own heart soars when I set foot in St. Ignatius and the Abbey of Gethesemani. Your heart no doubt finds a home in places that only you can know." —from the Foreword by James Martin, S.J.

“A chronicle of the artistic career of Schickel (1919–2009), a 1944 graduate of Notre Dame whose Living Water sculpture graces the ND grotto. His work as a painter, sculptor, architectural and furniture designer, and stained-glass artist was informed by his devotion to God. This edition offers new chapters on the artist’s recent contributions to the built environment in several communities and his recent paintings, as well as additional color images.” —Notre Dame Magazine

“This attractive, oversized art book does an excellent job of showing the long career and contributions of the noted religious artist William Schickel. . . . Visually, it gives the reader a great wealth of images of religious art work of the last sixty years, depicted in paintings, stained glass, sculptures and architecture.” —Catholic Library World

“William Schickel, the subject of this book, is one of the most prolific and versatile contemporary artists in the United States. This is a beautifully designed and illustrated book, worthy of the distinguished career of a humble, intuitive, and talented artist whose deep faith illuminates his work, whose art consistently expresses his roots in the best aspects of Christian humanism, and whose prolific output symbolizes his conviction expressed in the aphorism which opens the book: ‘God’s love causes the beauty of what He loves; our love is caused by the beauty of what we love.’ (Jacques Maritain).” —Worship

“A book like this does not appear very often. It is simply a masterpiece: the layout, the type, the photographs, the work contained. A wonderful example of a publication effort whose expense was not spared, it succeeds brilliantly in presenting the quality of good honest art, the faithful work of a faithful life.” —Archives of Modern Christian Art Newsletter

"Notre Dame and Gregory Wolfe have done themselves proud preparing this beautiful full-color book of the work of William Schickel in the "Beauty of Catholic Life Series." William Schickel has done himself proud through a long life of artmaking for the church and for fortunate "secular" patrons and clients. And anyone who has the slightest interest in such art, in seeing what can be conceived and effected by a single imagination through decades in a society called secular ought to obtain, study, and enjoy this work." —Christian Century

"Frugality and splendor, splendor and humility: To me, that sums up all of Schickel's work as I turn the pages of this beautifully designed, gracefully written and personally inspiring book." —St. Anthony Messenger

“Seldom does one see such an exquistely produced book as Sacred Passion. We should be grateful to the publisher for providing so many full-color illustrations in the paperback edition. This volumne deserves a place in the libraries of monasteries, religious houses, seminaries, and universities as well as on the shelves of all who are interested in contemporary art, both religious and secular.” –Cistercian Studies Quarterly 34.4

“...remarkable volume of marvelous photographs and illuminating text.” —Common Sense

"Schickel is a mature and powerful artist. . . ." —Lesley Constable, Columbus Dispatch