Local Catholic helps bring U.S. premiere of light-sound Nativity show to Cathedral of St. Paul

Elisabeth Holod of Assumption in St. Paul has long been intrigued by light-sound shows and art history, and she loves the Cathedral of St. Paul, which is near her home, as a place of faith and beauty.

Those interests converged in a unique way this year, as she helped a British light and sound company, Luxmuralis, make its U.S. debut at the Cathedral with a Nativity story called “Cathedral Illuminated: The Manger.”

Open to the public and viewed from cars along John Ireland Boulevard because of safety protocols during the pandemic, the show is running in continuous 12-minute loops from 6-9 p.m. each evening through Dec. 19. Large-scale images are projected on the Cathedral’s east-facing façade and an original, accompanying score is broadcast to spectators on a “hyper-local” radio frequency provided at the site. Presented by The Cathedral Heritage Foundation and made possible by numerous community sponsors, the show also is being livestreamed on the CHF Facebook page. Freewill donations to CHF are encouraged as the foundation works to help maintain the fifth-largest cathedral in the country.

The gentle and hopeful show comes as the nation grapples with COVID-19, stark political divisions and racial tensions brought by the death of George Floyd, Holod said.

“In this most challenging of years, what a beautiful way to close the year, this gentle giant (the Cathedral) opening its arms to hope, wonderment and joy,” Holod said. The show also has the most important story to tell, she said: “In the birth of a child, the hope of the world.”

Holod said she was introduced to Luxmuralis and its lead artist and artistic director, Peter Walker, two years ago on a trip to see her son at Oxford University in Oxford, England. Luxmuralis’ art projections have appeared in Britain and elsewhere in Europe.

The shows are deeper and hold more emotional impact than a “flash to the beat” techno-music dance rhythm, said Holod, who studied art and architecture as part of studying French at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, spending a year in France and traveling Europe.

Holod, who found she was always ready for “art adventures” with her four children, returned several times to England to visit with Walker. She took classes on the techniques used, and decided she wanted to help bring a positive message to the Cathedral.

“So many people, from so many persuasions,” can take in the show, Holod said. “I hope the light on the Cathedral walls will be reflected on the people viewing it, and they will feel their hearts growing.”

Planning included setting up the same show to run concurrently at the Litchfield Cathedral in Staffordshire, England, demonstrating a special unity between the two cities. But high numbers of COVID-19 in that community prompted canceling of the Litchfield Cathedral show. Holod, who is the liaison between Walker and the Cathedral production, said she feels a special responsibility and honor in providing the opportunity and carrying the torch in St. Paul.

She particularly thanked the Cathedral parish and staff, CHF and City of St. Paul police and permit officials, who have gone out of their way to be helpful.

“I have just felt this has been a real community effort,” Holod said.

Walker had his own message for the effort, sent in an email to the many people working on the project, said Carolyn Will, a spokeswoman for CHF.

“I am proud that together we have been able to bring this work to St. Paul and to a city which has been through so much,” Walker wrote. “Thank you for your effort and friendship, which although at a distance is palpable.?I trust this to be the start of a longer partnership.”