In a general audience in August, 2011, Pope Benedict spoke of the importance of art in the life of faith, saying that artistic beauty can lead the human heart to God. “Art is capable of making visible our need to go beyond what we see and it reveals our thirst for infinite beauty, for God,” said the Holy Father.
Whether you consider yourself an artist or not, we are all drawn to beauty. In fact, “Seeking Beauty” is Key 6 in my 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness. We can encounter and express beauty through painting, sculpture, music, drama, dance, and so on. To celebrate the arts, Loyola Press launches a new online series called Arts and Faith. It’s a celebration of the many creative ways people use art to express their faith.
Stories in the series include profiles of artists and—helpful for those of us catechists who aren’t as artistically inclined—articles about using art in catechesis. Using art can help those who are visual or auditory learners, so I hope you’ll visit the series for inspiration as we move into the downtime of summer. And share your own stories of how you use the arts in your catechetical sessions!
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