"This is the power of Beauty, to transform our souls, our spiritual nature, to the state God intended for us"
Universalis.com Now Has Pointed Psalms - You Can Sing the Office At Home Using Your Smartphone
The Responsibility of Patrons of the Arts
The state of "Christian art" is frequently, and not without reason, criticized as being substandard but the solution is simple. If you want art that "leads to God through the appreciation of beauty, harmony, goodness, truth and love, respect, unity and the transcendent," then patronize that type of art. If you have the means, commission that type of art.
What Artistic Style and Content is Right for A Psalter Today?
The Artist as Priest
Priest, Prophet and King, all of the baptized are invested in these three offices. The degree to which they fulfill these offices will depend on their individual gifts, talents, and calling.
But how, specifically does an artist fulfill the role of priest? To answer this we must first briefly examine the role of the priest and the Sacraments of the Church.
Masters Level Sacred Music Courses through NYC Seminary
Earn credit for Pontifex University's Master of Sacred Arts through St Cecilia Academy for Pastoral Musicians, Archdiocese of New York.
St Cecilia Academy of Pastoral Musicians, which is at St Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, NY offers a four-course 12 credit, Masters level certificate. Pontifex University will recognize these classes as constituting a concentration in sacred music as part of the Master of Sacred Arts program.
We recommend these courses to all pastoral musicians, whether for credit or personal enrichment in service of the Church.
Painting Workshop, Rome, August 6-17: The Methods of Caravaggio and Titian.
This summer Pontifex University is proud to sponsor a unique workshop taking place in Italy. "The Art and Theology of the Catholic Reformation in Rome", which will take place this August 6 - 17 at the Accademia Urbana delle Arti in the center of Rome. This intensive two-week/60- hour course will provide a comprehensive overview of the painting methods of artists of the Catholic Reformation and the theology that underpinned their works.
How to Choose Art for the Psalms and the Divine Office, A Summary of Past Principles
The Paintings of James Gillick at the Chelsea Flower Show - Natural Beauty!
Silver Buscuit Barrel & Tongs 294mm x 635mm (11 ¹¹/₁₆” x 25”) Oils on linen over panel
Catholic English artist James Gillick, shown below making paint with his apprentice in his studio in Lincolnshire, is exhibiting at the Chelsea Flower Show later this month, so if anyone is visiting London at this time, it would be a good chance to acquaint yourself with him and his work.
To view the new work on your device you may visit the digital, printable catalog by clicking here. To view all the new work in greater resolution you may go to his website by clicking here. The site for the show is here: Chelsea Flower Show. It takes place 21st - 26th May.
James' still lives particularly always attract me and I can't think of a better setting to view his beautiful work than the annual Flower Show which takes place in the 66-acre grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital which is a retirement home for Veterans founded in the 17th century.
The Wisdom of Fra Angelico
John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico),the patron of Christian artists,left us many paintings but few words. The quotes that are attributed to him, however, speak volumes.
The Hard Work of Re-Establishing an Artistic Tradition - The Neo-Coptic Icons of Dr Stephane Rene
Benedictine Experience Weekend, St Mary's Monastery, Petersham, Massachusetts, June 22-24.
As the Prophet saith: "Seven times a day I have given praise to Thee" (Ps 118[119]:164), this sacred sevenfold number will be fulfilled by us in this wise if we perform the duties of our service at the time of Lauds, Prime, Tierce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Complin; because it was of these day hours that he hath said: "Seven times a day I have given praise to Thee" (Ps 118[119]:164). For the same Prophet saith of the night watches: "At midnight I arose to confess to Thee" (Ps 118[119]:62). At these times, therefore, let us offer praise to our Creator "for the judgments of His justice;" namely, at Lauds, Prime, Tierce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Complin; and let us rise at night to praise Him (cf Ps 118[119]:164, 62). (Rule of St Benedict, Ch 16
The Praise of Men
The lure of adulation, praise, and recognition, is a tempting one. But ultimately it may lead us away from the path God has put us on. Humility is often seen as a weakness, something that keeps us from achieving all that we are capable of. But this is the wrong way to look at it. When we stop seeking the approval of others, we begin to focus our gifts and talents on pleasing God.
How to Be A Living Sign of Beauty in the Desert of Secular Culture
Catholic Formation Weekend for Young Adults, East Durham, NY, June 2-6, 2018
The Vocation of the Painter is Beauty
The Theology of Taking Your Clothes Off in Class and Painting Naked People
Contrary to what many people think, and in accordance with Christian tradition, John Paul II was conservative in his approach to the portrayal of the nude in art. He told us that it is only appropriate to portray man naked when shining the with the uncreated light of Christ. In short if we can't show man clothed in glory, show him clothed...in clothes!
What Makes Christian Art, Christian?
A Christian, who is an artist, who is well grounded in their faith, who has formed their conscience in the teachings of the Church, will produce Christian art. It doesn't matter if it is a portrait, a landscape, a superhero movie, or pop song, that artist will produce work that is consistent with teachings and values of their faith.
A "Christian Artist" is always Christian first, and then an artist, because the gift of artistic talent is the gift that has been given them to preach to the world. That does not mean that the work has to be heavy-handed in its message. It is often better if it is not.
Prominent Catholic Women Announce the Launch of HelenaDaily.com
'Mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, friends - these are the basic relationships that make up our lives. And these are the places in the past where women flourished, learned from each other, supported each other, and grew into the women that God called them to be. Through births, deaths, high days and holy days, dark days and mundane days, tears and laughter, women have been there for each other. For millennia, this was simply the fabric of everyday life.'
Pagan Themes and the Christian Artist
Should a Christian artist paint themes from pagan mythology, other religions, or even fantasy motifs?
Many artists who are deeply grounded in their Christian faith, especially those just starting out in their career, have questions about what is and is not appropriate subject matter. In a previous post I addressed nudity and the Christian artist, today I would like to address subjects that don't seem to have anything to do with Christianity at all.
The story of our salvation is really the only story, and we retell it in endless variations. Even the ancient pre-Christian mythologies echo the story of Christ and His salvific role.
Think of it this way. Imagine time as a slow moving river. All of human history takes place within this river, from the first humans upstream to the present day somewhere further downstream. Each of us live out our lives in a current of this river, overlapping with others.
As humans our perception of time is linear. We look back upstream and see a sequence of events that have led us to where we are now. But God stands outside the river. God stands on the riverbank observing the passage of the stream. To God, all of our history is happening now, at different points along the river.
