Benedictine Brother Nathan Cochran wanted to take religious art a step beyond the masterpieces of past centuries when he organized A Nationwide Juried Catholic Arts Exhibition at the Saint Vincent Gallery.

"We don't want artists to just reproduce old masterpieces," he said. "We want them to produce new masterpieces with contemporary flair."

The multimedia show at Saint Vincent Archabbey and College runs through Dec. 7 with an extraordinary display of 41 pieces by artists from seven states, including some from the Pittsburgh area. Their work has appeared in hundreds of churches and chapels around the world, and received recognition in shows in Washington, D.C., and in Rome.

Brother Nathan developed the show for two reasons: to give artists a venue to show work that secular galleries often reject and to familiarize clergy and the laity with affordable, original art for churches and other places of devotion.

"You don't need to rely on catalog shopping to find a statue," he said, "and you don't need to rely on posters as a substitute for art."

Dr. John Smetanka, vice president of the academic office at Saint Vincent College, said in his remarks at the recent opening reception for the gallery: "Art is a necessary part of the human condition."

Saint Vincent's history in the arts began in the 1850s when founder Boniface Wimmer asked the monastery's patron, King Ludwig of Bavaria, to send art for new churches and monasteries. In response, the king sent 300 paintings. Two hundred are still in what has developed into an impressive collection of 4,300 pieces.

This is the second art show at Saint Vincent. The first was in 2000.

"Our founder wrote that in education, 'first we will teach our students that which is necessary, then that which is useful, and finally, that which is beautiful,' " Dr. Smetanka said.

From 300 A.D. to the 18th century, the Catholic Church was the main sponsor of art and encouraged artists to create works for churches and cathedrals.

The show was judged by Duncan Stroik, of South Bend, Ind., who is considered to be one of the leading educators and practitioners in Catholic architecture.

First place in the show went to Neilson Carlin, of Kennett Square, Pa., who has been painting professionally for 20 years. His winning piece, "Surrender at Gethsemane," depicts Christ praying before his betrayal to Judas. Christ looks as though he is in great pain, yet in great harmony.

Mr. Carlin said that he doesn't want his audience to think his painting is merely beautiful, but to get a little more involved in grasping the marvelous meaning behind the painting.

"He is dropping his fears," Mr. Carlin explained. "It's that release; he is taking that burden off his shoulders and giving it to God."

Several of Mr. Carlin's other works are in the show, including a striking painting of the Eucharist hovering over a chalice, so realistic that it could be mistaken for a photograph. He also recently completed four paintings for the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Wisconsin?

"If anything is supposed to lift you off the ground, it should be when you walk into a church," Mr. Carlin said. "Parishioners want work that has that deep and motive quality. It's one thing to buy a print, but there is something about having an original; it affects the power of the symbol."

James Langley, of Savannah, Ga., received second place for his work, "The Deposition," a scene of Christ after he is removed from the cross. Third place went to Thomas Kohlmann, of Philadelphia, for his piece, "St. Paul."

Patrick Lee, of Pittsburgh, received an honorable mention for "Daniel's Vision of the 70 Weeks" from the Old Testament.

"The theme of the 70-week prophecy struck me as something that was different," he said. "You'll see a lot of New Testament paintings, but what people like about this, I think, is that it is an Old Testament scene."

For his crucifixion scene, "Golgotha," Mr. Lee actually photographed himself hanging from a ceiling, with only a small ladder to support his weight. He wanted to grasp just how a human body would hang, to depict his painting accurately.

Nicholas Parrendo, of Pittsburgh, has specialized in the art of stained glass windows for 58 years. His works, "Her Yes-Prophesy," and "Nativity" were displayed in two gallery windows to catch the dancing light throughout the day.

"As an artist, if you can remind people of our true love and true light, God Almighty, then that's what is important," Mr. Parrendo said.

"People are like stained glass. We sparkle and shine in the sunlight, but when the darkness sets in, the true beauty can only be seen if there is a light within," he said.

The gallery is open from noon to 3 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and noon to 3 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free.