It was fascinating to watch Bryon Roesselet of Conrad Schmitt Studios as he goes through the step by step process.  Before the day of installation, prep work had to be done, i.e. a bonding agent was applied to help the paste stick better.

Step 1:  Application of the clay paste adhesive.  This type of adhesive is stronger than wheat paste (which was used previously).  Bryon said the four Evangelists should stay up there for a long time, provided the church is climate controlled.

Step 2:  Application of the sacred art painted on synthetic canvas, which doesn't support mold as cloth canvas does.  

Step 3:  Removing any bubbles from underneath the canvas.

Step 4:  Cleaning off extra paste from the edges using sponge and water.

Step 5:  Drying it with a towel.

The four Evangelists were painted at the Conrad Schmitt Studios in New Berlin, Wisconsin, and shipped to Lake Charles.  The symbols received a modeled, grisaille treatment based on Renaissance designs.  The images are taken from the prophet Ezekiel's vision in which he saw four winged creatures supporting the throne of God.  They had the face of a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle.

The four Evangelists had to be positioned in the correct alignment.  First, St. Mathew is positioned in the East coordinate, because he is the only Evangelist to record the visit of the Magi from the East.  St. Matthew is depicted as a Winged Man because he gives special emphasis to Jesus' human ancestry and the Incarnation of Jesus as Man.

Then, the other Evangelists in traditional order follow him positioned counter clockwise.  St. Mark faces North.  He is depicted as a Winged Lion because he wrote of Christ's royal lineage - the Lion of Judah.  

St. Luke faces the West.  He is depicted as a Winged Ox because he stressed Jesus' death and resurrection.  The ox was a Jewish sacrificial animal.  Luke begins his gospel with the sacrifice of Zechariah in the Temple and emphasizes Christ's sacrifice on the Cross and His divine Priesthood. 

St. John faces South.  He is depicted as an Eagle because he emphasizes Christ's closeness to the Father, and the eagle flies up to the throne of Grace.  

The four Evangelists face the four directions of the earth because Christ, before His ascension into heaven, commissioned the Apostles to "go into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) 

Meanwhile, the Ave Maria Hall is set for Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum!  Thank you, Altar Society!