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Water Wall
Sacred Heart University’s water wall is located outside of the Ryan Matura Library. Made from the same stone as the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, the water wall creates dialogue between the chapel and the library, as the two are facing each other on either side of the Quad. The exterior walls of the chapel were designed to suggest the pages of the Word of God found in the Bible. These “pages” on the chapel’s wall express ways to do justice in the public space as they intentionally face and speak to the words symbolized by the library.
The library is a gathering place for study, research and collaboration among the University’s community, and is seen as a symbolic celebration of human wisdom in the books and artifacts held there. The studies of the University are centered around the Catholic intellectual tradition and signify that the community must be welcoming to all and seek truth and justice in all parts of the world and walks of life. This is symbolized in the water wall by the carving of the words “love, fire, wisdom, truth and peace.” The water flowing down the water wall represents the call from the prophet Amos (5:24) to “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
The 1965 document, Nostra aetate, which was an important document at the time of Sacred Heart’s founding, encourages “the ties between different peoples” and influenced the founders’ thinking in promoting unity among all people, nations and religions. This message is embodied by the water wall. The University’s community has been drawn to the water wall over the years, as it has been seen as welcoming, healing and a refreshing symbol of hope, peace and wisdom.