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GOP Rep. Jim Banks offers bill to prescribe traditional architectural styles for federal buildings

GOP Rep. Jim Banks offers bill to prescribe traditional architectural styles for federal buildings

Architecture by the people, for the people, and of the people; rather than serving the interests of elites who have disdain for them and push Brutalism. Brutalism says: ‘You may not like it, but you’re wrong - we know what is good for you.’The ‘"Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act" declares "traditional and classical" architectural styles to be preferred for new Federal government buildings. This sets the tone for a wider American culture of beauty and superabundance.

A New Conference Aims to Further the Renewal ofCatholic Education and Culture

A New Conference Aims to Further the Renewal ofCatholic Education and Culture

The Most Rev. James D. Conley, DD, STL, Bishop of Lincoln, NE, said: “There is a quiet but powerful renewal happening in the world of Catholic Liberal Education. You won’t want to miss the 1st Adeodatus Conference on Catholic Education & Culture, which will gather the ‘best of the best’ of leaders in this exciting renewal. This is a must-attend conference for those who want to immerse themselves in this great tradition!” 

Liturgical Art as Prophecy and Priesthood: Sacred Art and the Restoration of Human Dignity.

Liturgical Art as Prophecy and Priesthood: Sacred Art and the Restoration of Human Dignity.

To repeat our opening words, we act as we see. The first step is therefore education, not  education merely to swell our head knowledge, but to check, and if necessary, recalibrate,  our vision of the world and of our worship.

The First Adeodatus Conference on Catholic Education and Culture

The First Adeodatus Conference on Catholic Education and Culture

Pasadena, CA; June 21-24th. Theme for 2023: Major Sources of Catholic Education and its Renewal, The Formation of the Supernatural Man. Featuring: Michael Waldstein, Andrew Kern, James Matthew Wilson, Ed Feser, R. Jared Staudt, Mike Foley, David Deavel, Fabio Reali, Josef Froula, Fr. Robert Spitzer, Arthur Hippler, Paul Shrimpton, Joe Heschmeyer, Fr. Sebastian Walshe, Margarita Mooney Clayton, Dale Ahlquist, David Whalen, RJ Snell, Andrew Seeley, Deal Hudson, Michael Naughton, and Pater Edmund Waldstein.

Introducing Peter Carter and The Catholic Sacred Music Project

Introducing Peter Carter and The Catholic Sacred Music Project

The Catholic Sacred Music Project promotes beautiful sacred music and worship accessible for all through events such as the Scala Conference 2023, a composers workshop with Sir James MacMillan, a conductors's workshops and choral festivals.

The Philosophy of Contemporary Mainstream Fine Art Education and Art Criticism: Part 3

The Philosophy of Contemporary Mainstream Fine Art Education and Art Criticism: Part 3

Trying to Understand, and Counter, the Philosophy of Mainstream Art Schools and Contemporary Art Criticism. Part 3. How Marxist theory has entered the mainstream, and how radical, Christian ‘counter-revolutionary’ beauty is the response that will save the world.

Three Lessons Pope Benedict XVI Taught Me on Women and the Church

Three Lessons Pope Benedict XVI Taught Me on Women and the Church

It was through my work for the lonely, the addicted, the abused and neglected, for the sick and suffering—whether that be in Haiti, Nicaragua, rural America or the classrooms of the Ivy League—that I learned the wisdom of Benedict XVI’s Mariology as an antidote to a pride-filled activism. 

The Philosophy of Contemporary Mainstream Fine Art Education and Art Criticism: Part 1

The Philosophy of Contemporary Mainstream Fine Art Education and Art Criticism: Part 1

Trying to Understand, and to Counter, the Philosophy of Mainstream Art Schools and Contemporary Art Criticism. Part 1, Postmodernism, an art movement that doesn’t really exist?

Choosing Candles or Oil Lamps for the Image Corner in Your Domestic Church

 Choosing Candles or Oil Lamps for the Image Corner in Your Domestic Church

The burning flame is a symbol of the Light of the World which becomes also a sign that, when lit, the household is in prayer time. The flickering light renders the icons more beautiful through reflective interplay of light and dark. Also, if you have children, you will know that the presence of fire adds a focus that draws their attention to it, as powerfully as if they were moths.

Does the Church Need Artists Who Are Humble Scribes? Or Original Geniuses?

Does the Church Need Artists Who Are Humble Scribes? Or Original Geniuses?

A hermeneutic that dictates that artists do as little original work as possible (rather than as much as they can), is one that respects the past and, paradoxically, allows for the development of steadily better work in the future.

The Mathematics of Beauty - Teaching Principles for Today, and Work Submitted by a Student

The Mathematics of Beauty - Teaching Principles for Today, and Work Submitted by a Student

Intution has a part to play in the creation of beauty, but as with a musical composer needs the theory before he can create a new and beautiful piece of music, so does the artist. Even Mozart and Beethoven, prodigies that they were, had music lessons and were taught some theory by their fathers. 

The Art of Matthew Paris as a Model for the Transformation of American Sacred Art

The Art of Matthew Paris as a Model for the Transformation of American Sacred Art

The new American gothic? If we are looking for a starting point for the rejuvination of American sacred art, and more broadly even American culture, I suggest that the gothic could be one starting point.