‘Visio divina’: Will you rejoice in God’s miracle?
In Denmark in the year 1834, an artist was born. Though his parents desperately wanted their son to enter a more prestigious profession, Carl Bloch found his way to Italy…
What starry nights, church ceilings and St. Elizabeth of the Trinity teach us about eternity
Occasionally when I witness a particularly breathtaking starry night, I recall the phrases from Coldplay’s song, “Yellow” — “Look at the stars — look how they shine for you” —…
Allowing ourselves to be weary pilgrims this Advent
Displayed in a small side chapel of Sant’Agostino in Rome is an arresting painting by the great Baroque artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. The work, “Madonna of the Pilgrims,” shocks…
Reflecting on the Eucharist with Caravaggio
The stripping away, the silence, and the solemnity of Lent all serve to awaken our hearts that have, over the course of a year, grown tepid and sleepy. We are…
Praying in solidarity with Ukraine through iconography
Despite war raging in Eastern Europe, it can be easy for the conflict to feel worlds away. With or without an extra intercession during Mass, the minor inconvenience of higher…
Behind the lens: An interview with a Catholic wedding photographer
The dress, the venue, the band, the food — and the right photographer. These are just a few of the thousands of little details that go into planning a wedding…
West Coast Catholic: An interview with Mari Wagner
The Rosary is much more than an antiquated prayer recited by grandmotherly women in the pew next to you. A new line of modern rosaries brings a fresh approach to…
An unlikely image of beauty: The Pietà
At the close of the 15th century, Michelangelo carved two figures out of what he claimed was the most perfect block of Carrara marble. The statue, which depicts the Virgin…
Behold: Interview with Valerie Delgado
This is the third in a three-part series interviewing Catholic female creators of sacred art. When God places a desire on your heart, listen and respond. This is what Valerie…
Behold: Interview with Ali Towle
This is the second in a three-part series interviewing Catholic female creators of sacred art. After reading Pope St. John Paul II’s “Letter to Artists,” Ali Towle, a watercolor artist…