EXPERIENCE THE aDventure OF CONSTRUCTION GAMES & CRAFTS BOOK REVIEWS ART BEAUTIFUL STORIES COMICS CATHEDRALS poster Inside! EXPERIENCE THE aDventure OF CONSTRUCTION INTERVIEWS WITH A STONECUTTER AND A CARPENTER MAKE YOUR OWN ROSE WINDOW GAMES & CRAFTS BOOK REVIEWS ART BEAUTIFUL STORIES COMICS JOIN OUR DRAWING CONTEST AWAKENING WONDER IN EVERY CHILD! Packed with: #2 NEW BY AGES 7-12 #1 January-February 2026
Zoey andTheo By Nicolas Doucet Hey, Theo. You’re playing with blocks at your age? A cathedral? What is it for? No way! I’m not playing with blocks. I’m constructing! First of all, it’s for God. It is a symbol of union and BROTHERHOOD! Wow! That’s …that’s magnificent! Christians build the most beautiful houses to honor God! Look: this little block is out of line. It’s disrupting the harmony. . . They work together toward a goal that is greater than THEMSELVES! Friendship, harmony, mutual aid, peace, unity. . . that’s what a cathedral is all about! And beyond that, it is a creation that unites all people. Oh no! Oops! Think of peace, union, brotherhood! Ouch! Ouch! Theo! A cathedral! It took four hours to build! Ta-da!
CONTENTS TOP 10 Cathedrals inAMERICA Page 6 Featured Books Page 5 Follow the Guide! Page 36 Let's Play! Pages 22 & 42 ZoomIn Page 16 Willia (Stonecu er) and Vincen (Carpenter) Interviews with Page 14 Building a Cathedral in America Profile Page 23 Focus Pages 18 & 20 I AM A BISHOP! and THE CANONS IN THE CHOIR INSIDE A CATHEDRAL COVER STORYPage 8 BUILDING A CATHEDRAL IN MEDIEVAL TIMES Romanesque Gothic? OR I Contemplate Page 26 Wall of Light The Workshop Page 28 3.5 in. 3.5 in. BRUNO, Stonecutting Apprentice Short Story Page 30 The Sound of the Organs Page 33 TURN UP THE MUSIC! Let’s Tour Cathedrals Around the World! Page 34 AND ACloser Look Page 38 Illuminations Page 40 CATHEDRAL OF LIGHT! 3 N° 1 / Welcome! Page 4 Your Opinion Page 24
INTRODUCING . . . MAGNIFIER! 1, 2, 3 . . . go! Welcome to the world of , a new magazine you can enjoy again and again! has lots of surprises in store for you: pages of comics, art, fiction, fascinating cover stories, games, crafts, coloring fun, and more! This first issue will tell you all about the great adventure of cathedrals. These are such majestic places! Every cathedral is filled with the presence of God and the genius of people! From the Middle Ages to the present day, cathedrals fascinate and amaze; they captivate heart, mind, and senses and draw them to reverence and awe. Come and discover the secrets of their construction with the stonecutters, carpenters, and master glassmakers who have worked on them. Marvel at the stained-glass windows, portals, and pillars of Gothic and Romanesque architecture. Open the door, turn the pages, and let carry you away in a whirlwind of color and majesty. Onward and upward, ! Write to us! Please include your name, age, and full address. Mail to Dear Magnifier / P.O. Box 822 / Yonkers, NY 10702, USA Or e-mail us at: magnifier.editor@magnificat.com 4 / N° 1 Drawing Draw your own cathedral! It’s your turn to draw the facade, or front, of an imaginary cathedral! What facade would invite people to come and pray? Contest Send us your drawing in a stamped envelope, using the address provided here. Be sure to include your name and address! Magnifier Drawing Contest P.O. Box 822 Yonkers, NY 10702, U.S.A You can also submit your artwork at www.magnifiermagazine.com/contest or use this QR code.
S . Patric ’s Cathedra New York City Completed in 1879, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is noted for its historic significance and Gothic Revival architecture. It can seat 2,400 people. Cathedra of th Assumptio Covington, Kentucky This cathedral has one of the largest stained-glass windows in the world, measuring 67 feet tall and 24 feet wide! Catedra Metropolitan d Sa Jua Bautist San Juan, Puerto Rico Originally built in 1521, the cathedral was destroyed by a hurricane in 1529. A stone cathedral was built in its place from 1535 to 1542. Cathedra of th Blesse Sacramen Sacramento, California This cathedral was planned by Sacramento’s first bishop, Patrick Manogue, who was originally a miner in the California Gold Rush. Co-Cathedra of th Nativity of th Blesse Virgi Mary Juneau, Alaska It has only 350 seats. A co-cathedral shares the role of cathedral with another church. It is often the former cathedral of the area or situated in another city. The One with the Larges Stained-Glass Window TOP 10 Cathedrals inAMERICA 6 / N° 1 The Smalles One The Oldes One The Larges One West of the Mississippi River The Larges and Talles One
MEDIEVAL TIMES in BUILDING A CATHEDRAL Cathedrals have always existed in the history of Christianity, but just over 1,000 years ago, masterpieces in Gothic architecture began popping up all over France. It was "the time of the cathedrals." In Paris, the bishop and the whole diocese dreamed of a magnificent edifice that would honor and celebrate God. The project was launched. It would take 150 years to complete! I th Hear of th City The town has become richer and larger. The old cathedral is now too small to hold everyone. It is also too dark, and too old. Bishop Maurice de Sully dreams of a grand and majestic structure that will tell the world of the glory of God. He wants height, light, and space! Th Architec No architect can live 150 years; it’s impossible! That’s why several architects in a row will succeed one another on the construction site, without necessarily knowing the others’ names. In fact, they are not really architects because in the Middle Ages, the profession does not exist. Rather, they are skilled artisans who understand construction completely, know what is needed to build a cathedral, and pour their Christian heart and soul into it. COVER STORY The architect and the bishop are present at the construction site. Can you find them? Seek and fi nd The solution is on page 44. 8 / N° 1
Zoom In In the Middle Ages, the cathedral was an essential place for celebrations, of course, but also for all the joyful and lively crowds that gathered there. You wouldn’t have been bored! In front of the cathedral, religious dramas were often performed. They were called "Mystery Plays." The cathedral was a place of welcome. Anyone could come in peace and quiet to attend Mass, pray before the relics of a saint, meditate, or rest in God’s presence. In the square, you could see a variety of shows, from jugglers to bear trainers. Banquets sometimes took place in the square during major religious festivals. Beggars found refuge at the cathedral. When they grabbed one of the iron rings on the door, they were protected by "the right of asylum." Illustration : WANERT 16 / N° 1
SUCCESSOR OF THE APOSTLES . . . At the beginning of the Church, the Apostles set out to proclaim the gospel everywhere. (The gospel is the Good News that Jesus came to save us from sin and death!) They founded the first Christian communities. These grew in number, so the Apostles appointed responsible people as the heads of the local churches. These were the first bishops, the successors of the Apostles! . . . PASTOR . . . The bishop is in charge of a particular territory called a diocese. The cathedral is the main church of this diocese. Its name comes from the seat occupied by the bishop: the cathedra. This name was given to the chair of certain judges in the Roman Empire. The same name was used to emphasize the bishop’s authority. It is he who guides his community. Only he can give the Sacraments of Confirmation (the gift of the Holy Spirit) and Holy Orders (the ordination of new priests and deacons). . . . AND LORD In the Middle Ages, the bishop had temporal and spiritual power. Like a local lord, he managed laws and taxes and could even raise an army! Then and now, the distinguishing marks of the bishop are: a crosier, a miter, and a ring. The crosier is a reminder of the bishop’s role as shepherd; it was inspired by the shepherd’s staff. The crosier symbolizes the three functions of the bishop: to govern, to teach, and to sanctify—that is, to make us holy! That is not an easy task! The miter symbolizes the bishop’s authority and his role in teaching and leading. The bishop’s ring symbolizes his fidelity and spiritual marriage to the Church. FOCUS Riddle Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Reconciliation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick: Of the Seven Sacraments, which are the two that only a bishop can give? Let’s discover the cathedral’s main character! The crook—the curved top of the crosier—symbolizes the shepherd’s crook, which was used to guide and protect sheep. It is turned to the congregation when the bishop celebrates Mass in his diocese. Otherwise, it is turned toward the bishop. Cathedral comes from the Latin word cathedra: "high-backed seat." This seat is usually to the left of the center of the altar, where the Eucharist is celebrated. Did you know? Did you know? Miter Crosier The solution is on page 44. 18 / N° 1
DID YOU KNOW? Architecture didn't go from Romanesque to Gothic overnight. The transition was so gradual that, very often, the two styles can be found side by side in the same building. O The Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paray-le-Monial, France Capital of the Romanesque-style Saint-Martial Church, in Montmorillon, France. RATIO: Approximately 1.618 This is the Golden Ratio, the ideal proportion found everywhere in nature—in the perfect spiral of a snail’s shell, for example. For medieval architects, this number was a sign from God. They used it extensively in Romanesque buildings to achieve perfect harmony. SHAPE: The semicircular arch Rounded arches provided structure and support for both portals (main entrances) and vaults (ceiling or roof structures). The arches distributed weight evenly, allowing for larger, more stable buildings. A PLACE FOR RECOLLECTION Since the thick walls bear the entire weight of the building, it is difficult to create large windows. Hence, the interior of Romanesque churches is dark and rather bare, which provides a wonderful atmosphere for bringing the faithful back to what is essential: prayer! ONE WORD: Color! What a surprise! Restoration of the sculpted facades of Romanesque churches reveals traces of paint. Churches were thus colored, like a beautiful book decorated with brilliant illustrations. PORTRAIT GALLERY At the beginning of Romanesque art, churches were decorated with geometric motifs. Then, little by little, animals, people, and sometimes even fantastical monsters were carved in relief into the stone. "Carved in relief" means an image is carved onto a flat surface of stone and the background is then carved away. This makes raised forms, giving the appearance of dimension. Your Opinion Photos: SHUTTERSTOCK The semicircular arch! DATE: From the 10th to the 12th Century ROMANESQUE 24 / N° 1
I Contemplate Wall of Light Gaze at this stained-glass window. What beauty! Admire the color and delicacy of the design. You’ve entered the house of God. Here you are alongside all the saints represented on this colored glass. Let yourself be carried away by the marvelous play of light and color. Windows under the south rose window of Chartres Cathedral. 26 / N° 1
RUNO, Stonecutting Apprentice Bruno was bent over a block of white stone he had just carved for a vault. With his awl, he patiently engraved a spiral—his mark, the one that allowed him to identify his work and get paid at the end of the day. Master Tristan, a grave and silent stonecutter to whom Bruno was an apprentice, looked at his work with an approving nod. Bruno had already been working alongside him for three months on the largest construction site in France. It was the year 1240, and they were working on Reims Cathedral. The rst time Bruno had seen this huge stone vessel, clad in sca olding, he’d been stunned. It was enormous! And all around it, what a mess! Piles of stone blocks, workbenches, lathes, beams, and a whole crew of tailors, stonecutters, carpenters, roofers, glassmakers, lead workers, painters, ironworkers, blacksmiths, and all sorts of laborers carrying, toiling, singing, shouting . . . Bruno had been completely stunned. But he liked this rigorous atmosphere. In reality, Master Tristan was more than a stonecutter. He was a sculptor. For several weeks, he’d been working on an angel for the north portal, on the western facade. Bruno watched with envy as Master Tristan shaped the stone with his square-tipped chisel and small mallet. Bruno had to content himself with re ning stones from the quarries, giving them their rectangular form. But secretly, he dreamed of becoming a sculptor himself. Short Story © SISTER KATERI 30 / N° 1
A whole orchestra! Each pipe produces a different sound. The organist can choose between several stops, or registers. These stops control which set of pipes is activated when a key is pressed. Each one sounds like an instrument such as a clarinet, recorder, trumpet, and so on. An organ often has several keyboards (as in the photo above), so it can play on several different stops. You'll see that its large pedalboard also resembles a keyboard, which you play with your feet! Turn Up the Music! Photos: SHUTTERSTOCK Big and small! Did you know that organs first appeared around the third century BC? They were invented in ancient Greece by Ctesibius of Alexandria. These early organs used water pressure to control wind pressure and create sound. Today, in most cathedrals, there’s a large, impressive organ and a choir organ. The latter is smaller, allowing you to get closer to the music of the choirs and to be more a part of the congregation’s singing. A real wind tunnel! By pressing a key and pulling a piston to select a "stop," the organist opens a very special pipe: Wind rushes through it into the organ, creating a note that floats through the church! Today, the wind tunnel is electric, but in the past, air had to be generated with a large bellows operated by one or more people. They had to be careful to always maintain the same air pressure. It wasn’t easy! The Church’s finest instrument! To accompany the liturgy, multipart singing (polyphonic music such as motets, cantatas, and chorales) developed significantly. This encouraged the installation of organs in churches. This instrument is indeed well suited to multiple melodies and the blending of sounds. The organ can play many kinds of music! It is worthy of accompanying sung prayers that rise to heaven, celebrating the glory of God! The largest pipe organ in the world is located at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. Organ at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Amiens, in France. Did you know? 33 N° 1 /
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Issue #1 / January-February 2026 Publisher: Romain Lizé Editor-in-chief: Kathleen Hollenbeck Senior editor: Dominique Pérot-Poussielgue Managing editor: Gabrielle Charaudeau Marketing director: Dieudonné de Lavenne Marketing manager: John Sacco Marketing associates: Jillian Tuthill, Yesenia Gonzalez, Joseph Luis Webmaster: Hélène Durand Artistic direction: Jean-Marc Richard Graphic design: Nicolas Chevalier (Studiolivre) Production management: Marie-Hélène Vincent Printed in Slovenia by Družina Also collaborating on this edition: Sophie de Mullenheim, Gaëlle Tertrais, Domitille Storelli, Agnès de Gélis, David Gabillet, Pascaline Bourget, Claire Stacino, Nona Kelsey Photo credits: Shutterstock; pp. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 and those on the back of the poster were kindly provided by Histovery and taken from “Notre-Dame, the Augmented Exhibition,” designed and produced in collaboration with Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, the public establishment responsible for the conservation and restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, under the patronage of the L’Oreal group. • All Rights Reserved, pp. 14–15. • © Photo Josse / La Collection, pp. 26–27; Adobe Stock, p. 39. The comic-strip elements on pp. 8-9, and 13 are from Notre-Dame de Paris, published by Signe. The comic-strip elements on pp. 11, 13, and 18 are from Cathédrales: L’art Français, published by Signe • Illustrators: Amandine Wanert (pp. 16–17 and 36–37), Studio Tomso (pp. 1, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 29, 34, 36, 40, and 42), Sister Kateri (p. 30). Subscribe to Online: www.magnifiermagazine.com By mail: Magnifier - PO Box 822, Yonkers NY 10702 By phone: (866) 273-5215 By email: magnifier@magnificat.com (ISSN: 3069-5805) is published bi-monthly by MAGNIFICAT Inc., 86 Main Street, Yonkers, NY 10701. President: Romain Lizé Chief Operating & Financial Officer: Axel d’Epinay The annual subscription rate is US $29. The single copy price is US $6.90. Periodicals postage paid at Smithtown, NY, and at additional mailing offices (USPS Number pending). Circulation records are maintained at Magnificat Inc., 86 Main Street, Yonkers, NY 10701. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Magnifier by Magnificat, PO Box 842, Yonkers NY 10702. Magnifier by MAGNIFICAT, copyright 2025 by Magnificat Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Mailing list: We will never make our mailing list available to other companies. I your nex issu , yo wil discover th fantasti worl of: MOUNTAINS! Coo king MOUNTAIN RECIPIES INTERVIEWS WITH A ROCK-CLIMBER AND A MOUNTAIN RANGER 3D-POSTER INCLUDED BECOME AN EXPERT OF the Fauna and Flora MOUNTAINS BOOK REVIEWS ART BEAUTIFUL STORIES COMICS GAMES & CRAFTS BY AGES 7-12 #2 AWAKENING WONDER IN EVERY CHILD! Packed with: March-April 2026 •An in-depth feature on their natural, sporting, cultural, and spiritual riches •The top 10 mountains around the world • A stunning 3D-poster to put in your room •A close look at Mount Rushmore •A world tour of mountain peoples • Interviews with a rock climber and a mountain ranger • A cooking workshop with tasty recipes • Art history on churches in the mountains • An inspiring short story • A report on mountain flora and fauna • The Adventures of Zoey and Theo • Games and more! #2 Discounts for gift subscriptions available for as low as $19 SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OF FER 1 year for $29 BY
Welcome to ! In your hands is a 48-page bimonthly magazine for children ages 7-12 that will ll them with wonder as they discover the marvels and beauty of the world that surrounds them. Why ? At M , we believe that children need beauty to grow, that they thirst to be li ed to greater heights! We believe that a magazine designed especially for them gives children an opportunity to interact with the world in a totally new way—with stars in their eyes and a heart open to the possibilities of what creation o ers. We believe that this is the best way to prepare future generations: by passing on beautiful values of life inherent in faith. is meant to help children discover the world with a Christian perspective, to ignite a sparkle in their eyes by showing God’s hand at work around us! Featuring articles, activities, games, art pages, comics, original stories, and a large poster illustrating the theme of the issue, is a safe place for children to discover the world without the use of technology. In each issue, through a central theme explored from many perspectives, beautifully illustrated with a rich and lively layout, both adults and children will be amazed! Here are some of the upcoming themes they will enjoy: Cathedrals, Mountains, Bread, e First Christians, Castles, e ree Wise Men... all of which will encourage them to consider the world in a truly novel way. If you, too, believe that it is time for truth, goodness, and beauty to resonate in the hearts of 21st-century children, help us bring into our children's world! Make known around you and o er subscriptions (as low as $19/year) at www.magni ermagazine.com or by using the coupon on the last page of this issue. By doing so, you will be accompanying the children in your life and giving them the gi of wonder and adventure! Discounts for gift subscriptions available for as low as $19 SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OF FER 1 year for $29 $6.90 Created by a great team of editors including Sophie de Mullenheim (Regina Medal Winner author), Romain Lizé (MagnifiKid!), Kathleen Hollenbeck (Magnificat & Ignatius Press), and more! www.magnifiermagazine.com
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