Gallery: A Portrait of Priests and Nuns, Watching the Decline of Catholic Culture
Mika Goodfriend01Frère Lucien
'Frère Lucien.' Traveling nuns and priests from all corners of the world to live together, for a time, at the Fraternite Sacerdotale hotel in Montreal, Quebec.
Mika Goodfriend02Laundry Room
'Laundry Room.' Originally a Hebrew orphanage, the building was repurposed in 1972 by a religious order founded by Father Eugene Prevost.
Mika Goodfriend03Internet Room
'Internet Room.' “Spending time at the hotel I was overwhelmed by the feeling that time had slowed," says Goodfriend.
Mika Goodfriend04Prêtre Jean Baptiste
'Prêtre Jean Baptiste.' “I attempted to infuse each photograph with as many poignant details as possible, to allow the viewer to wade into the image, to linger in the space much the same way the residents do," says Goodfriend.
Mika Goodfriend05Bathroom
'Bathroom.' “I wanted to give an audience the opportunity to look into this wonderful world that normally exists behind closed doors," says Goodfriend, "to document this unique institution in Quebec, at a time when religion is no longer at the forefront of our society."
Mika Goodfriend06Sewing Room
'Sewing Room.' Mika Goodfriend grew up two blocks away from the hotel. As a child, he remembers the nuns who routinely walked the neighborhood streets in pairs.
Mika Goodfriend07Soeur Hélène
'Soeur Hélène.' Fraternité Sacerdotale was a long term project built on respect. Sister Hélène was a key liaison to, and keen supporter of, Goodfriend's work.
Mika Goodfriend08Sisters' Dining Room
'Sisters' Dining Room.' Goodfriend has studied in Denmark, Israel. He is currently an M.F.A. student in Studio Arts, Concordia University, Montreal.
Mika Goodfriend09Dining Hall
'Dining Hall.' “Everyone was on a clear schedule that was respected everyday,” says Goodfriend.
Mika Goodfriend10Frère Michel
'Frère Michel.' Goodfriend says, “Though every bedroom shares the same furniture, wall-to-wall grey carpet and off-white walls, bursts of self-expression can be seen in the arrangement and collection of personal objects. Most notably, the diverse range of bedspreads speaks to an expression of this individuality."
Mika Goodfriend11Slippers
'Slippers.' Fraternité Sacerdotale has less to do with Catholic Orders specifically, so says Goodfriend, and more to do with the mood, organization and community of spiritual life.
Mika Goodfriend12Soeur Réjeanne
'Soeur Réjeanne.' The income from 19 rooms enables the hotel to be self-sustaining at a time when Catholic institutions in the province are in steep decline.
Mika Goodfriend13Television Room
'Television Room.' “They were all very curious about my presence and were on the whole very open with their lives. Many wanted to know if I was a Christian, to which I explained I was Jewish,” says Goodfriend.
Mika Goodfriend14Piano Room
'Piano Room.' Goodfriend’s work has been exhibited at Contact Photography Festival, Toronto Photoville, Brooklyn and Atlanta; Flash Forward, Boston; Salt Institute for Documentary Studies; New York Photo Festival.
Mika Goodfriend15Last Sleep
'Last Sleep.' “It is my hope that this series will serve as a testament to its residents and the community they have created together.”
