Chiesa Parrocchiale B.V. della Consolazione

Why evaluate a place of worship? For how many works of art there can still be a place of meditation and prayer

Parish church of Marina di Massa. Entering the church, it hits the sculpture behind the altar that represents the last Supper. On the left side of the central nave there is a beautiful sculpture representing the Virgin Mary.

A unique altar of its kind. The Church is named after Mary and it is a pleasure, in summer, to live the house of the Lord in a sacred as well as fascinating environment.

The altar is decidedly poor and not very correct both liturgically and theologically and artistically. Has it been approved by the diocesan sacred art commission? The imposing figures that are out of place as well as poor artistically remove the fundamental visual, spatial and liturgical centrality from the altar / canteen. This is certainly not the place for this suffocating and useless monumentality. The very centrality of the Eucharist suffers. Not to mention the poor Judas: who are we to judge and estrange him so decidedly from the whole? The great Leonardo in his Last Supper, however, keeps him among his loved ones of the same Trinitarian love of Christ. The fact that you look at the wall is decidedly demeaning and disrespectful. "Our brother Giuda" wrote Don Mazzolari. I believe that the work should be removed or at least rethought for all these reasons after obviously a correct catechesis on the Eucharist / Last Supper made to the faithful perhaps taking a cue from Leonardo's own work which is a theological and biblical page painted not only with skill but also with theological depth, also considering the Dominican environment. I apologize for the intervention but it has been years since entering this church and looking at the altar my heart tightens and my thoughts rebel. All this not for arrogance or controversy, but to express a doubtful thought, but which I believe motivated. Monsignor Domenico Sguaitamatti, Milan.

Beautiful church, very useful for the community.

A little bare, the altar is beautiful. Clearly this is not an ancient church but a building built in 1968. In any case, the environment is spacious and clean. The exterior is also well maintained.

I've been coming to Marina for 40 years and the Servants of Mary have been able to attract me to Sunday mass and also on weekdays. The grandeur of the Carrara marble altar has always involved me emotionally and it was pride for me to show it to my guests. It is a particular majestic interpretation even if the figures not smooth and precise in the features (but so I think the sculptor wanted them) may appear a bit coarse and then thinking of Judas seated partly self-excluded from the community / dinner is a new interpretation but let us remember that he betrayed Jesus and then hanged himself. I think this means isolation and a turn of the shoulders. Overall, the church shows bricks on the outside and a lot of concrete inside, and in the lower part from exposed stone, illuminated and interspersed with long stained glass windows of colored mosaic without religious designs. Carrara marble reappears in the niche of the Madonna to which a prayer is dedicated at the end of each mass; and on the walls of the via crucis. Two marble side representations complete, one of which is now covered by the new organ. I am pleased with the use of this marble which for me sounds like a prayer for the many dead in the quarries. In conclusion, go to pray in this church. The altar is illuminated by a stained glass window representing the Holy Spirit and a large cross with Jesus in polished brass (I think) I seem to remember in 2000 for the jubilee. I hope that what Monsignor said, with all respect for his office, will not be implemented and that we can still enjoy this last supper for many years, which makes us reflect and brings us back to him in the Eucharist.