CATHEDRAL DEANERY — As part of their year-long heritage celebration, St. Boniface School in Northside commissioned Cincinnati artist Julie Lonneman to create an image of their patron saint. The 16" x 20" acrylic painting depicts St. Boniface, dressed in medieval bishop’s robes, holding an open book and an oak branch.

COURTESY PHOTO

St. Boniface kindergarten teacher Ginny Hampton shows the school’s new icon of St. Boniface to some of her students.

Though little is known about St. Boniface’s physical appearance, artist Julie Lonneman sought to imbue the painting with a sense of his spirit. According to Lonneman, "I wanted to depict St. Boniface as warmly and appealingly as possible, since the painting is for a school. The symbols in the work signify various aspects of his story: the pallium he’s wearing represents his fidelity to the pope, the open book his mission of evangelization, and the oak branch his conversion of people from paganism to Christianity."

In 723, St. Boniface chopped down a massive oak tree dedicated to the pagan god Thor. The people converted to Christianity when they saw that Thor did not strike him down.

St. Boniface School is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its Northside school building during this academic year. Historic exhibits, a mayoral proclamation, a special liturgy and curriculum tie-ins have all contributed to the students’ celebration of their heritage and helped them to remember their roots.

Lonneman maintains a studio in Northside not far from St. Boniface School. Her illustrations on themes of spirituality and social justice have appeared in magazines such as America, Sojourners, and St. Anthony Messenger, and have graced the covers of numerous books and newsletters. More of her artwork for the religious press can be seen at www.julielonneman.blogspot.com.