CategoriesArt Reflections, 100th Anniversary by

Reflections on Art from 100 Years Ago

Christ and the Sinner

By Fr. Peter Fennessy, SJ

Emil Nolde, Christ and the Sinner (1926),
oil on canvas, 33.9 × 41.8 inches, New National Gallery, Berlin.

Emil Nolde’s bold colors and exaggerated features in “Christ and the Sinner” (1926) add intense emotionality to this painting. The Nazis considered it degenerate; art critics and historians call it Expressionism. It portrays a sinful woman who washed the feet of Jesus or “The Woman Taken in Adultery,” the title of the etching this work was based on. Without a contextual background the reference is ambiguous. Did Nolde use this ambiguity to unite the two stories?

The Pharisees had brought Jesus a woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11). The Law decreed she should be stoned to death. What did He say? Whether Jesus contradicted the Scriptures or His own constant message of mercy, they had Him. The Law actually said “the couple” should be stoned, but the Pharisees let the man get away, because they had less concern for the Law than for trapping Jesus. Jesus escaped their trap, shamed them into fleeing and didn’t condemn the woman. Later realizing she had been forgiven, she came to Jesus and washed his feet with tears of gratitude (Luke 7:36-50). Christ’ parable of the two debtors clearly indicates the forgiveness had produced her show of love, and not the other way around.

Categories100th Anniversary, Art Reflection by

Reflections on Art from 100 Years Ago

The Prodigal Son

By Fr. Peter Fennessy, SJ

N. C. Wyeth, The Prodigal Son (c. 1926-1927),
oil on canvas, 45 × 40 inches, Kirk in the Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Most paintings of the prodigal son portray him embracing his father or kneeling before him, almost always with a bent head. Wyeth has unusually portrayed him with his head held high and drawn away from his father. One hand holds his walking stick and the other hand hangs by his side. He doesn’t dare return his father’s embrace. His original demand for his inheritance with its implied “wish you were dead” was an unspeakable and unforgiveable offence. His father should have declared him dead, sat shiva for him and even now have sent his servants to drive him away. His repentance arose more from hunger than sorrow, and he’s aware he doesn’t deserve acceptance even as a hired man, paid each day for his daily work, an outsider and less a part of the family than its slaves.

But his father had been watching the road, and seeing his son returning, he threw propriety to the wind, ran to the boy, embraced him and kissed him. The love and mercy, forgiveness and acceptance that the prodigal undeservedly met shamed him more than he can stand. It will take some time for him “to learn to bear the beams of love.”

CategoriesBanquet, 100th Anniversary, Special Event by

100th Anniversary Celebration Banquet

We are so grateful to all those who helped to make Manresa’s 100th Anniversary Celebration Banquet on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Shenandoah Country Club a wonderful evening.

From the lively social hour in the foyer with tasty hors d’oeuvres to the elegantly appointed banquet hall with a delicious dinner and inspiring speakers, it was a night to remember. More than 270 guests were in attendance.

Fr. Dan Dixon, SJ, President Elect, University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, spoke about the many ways Manresa has been an anchor in his life, and Archbishop of Detroit Edward J. Weisenburger inspired us with his message, Building a Future Full of Hope. Guests were also the first to see our latest promotional video (below), A Fire That Kindles Other Fires, produced by Canton-based Highway Media.

Thanks to our very generous sponsors, we had raised $376,000 before the banquet. They include Presenting Sponsor: E. William & France Kenyon Foundation; Sapphire Sponsors: The Nona Family, The Mike Koza Family, Fr. Robert E. Burke Memorial Trust Fund, Signal Restoration Services; Ruby Sponsors: Steve & Susan Raymond, ISTO Advisors, The Condit Family, Jackie Foot, MG & Associates-Merrill Private Wealth Management, Kelly Building & Development; Pearl Sponsors: Chaldean Community Foundation, Arrow Strategies. Patrick & Sharon Dreisig, Fritz & Josephine Klinger, Deroy & Devereaux, Holy Name Catholic Church; as well several generous donors who chose to remain anonymous.

And thanks to our guests that evening, we raised another $29,150, exceeding our goal of $400,000. All glory be to God!

Our annual banquet is one of our biggest fundraisers, enabling us to meet our operating expenses and to complete necessary maintenance projects and capital improvements throughout the year.

Our sincere thanks to all who make it possible to serve our retreatants and fulfill our Mission to help people grow spiritually through the Ignatian tradition. We also want to thank Paul Seibold and Anne Smith for their photographs of the event, and a special thanks to Chase Creative for their AV management of our program.

If you were unable to join us there, you can still make your Annual Banquet donation at manresa-sj.org/donate or by phoning the front office during business hours at 248.644.4933 Ext. 0.