Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Mariella Erdmann continues her comments on “rebuilding the Church” today. She concludes voicing the need to revitalize the arts. Read previous posts.
4 Revitalize the Arts
The Church needs art. The past 50-60 years has seen another subtle iconoclastic movement in the Catholic Church. Many new churches have become devoid of all sacred imagery. In an attempt to make the altar and the Mass central to all worship which is a correct move, some have interpreted this as stripping the churches of all statues and paintings of any kind.
Pope John Paul II in his “Letter to Artists” states in section16, “Beauty is a key to the mystery and a call to transcendence. Artists of the world, may your many different paths all lead to that infinite Ocean of beauty where wonder becomes awe, exhilaration, unspeakable joy. May you be guided and inspired by the mystery of the Risen Christ, whom the Church in these days contemplates with joy.”
Can any Franciscan imagine the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi without the Giotto paintings, or the Portiuncula and the Church of San Damiano without the San Damiano crucifix along with other beautiful paintings or sculptures, or Santa Chiara void of all sacred images?
The only way to rebuild the church is in the posture of prayer, humility, reconciliation, and harmony as illustrated by the life of St. Francis. By incorporating sacred art, we can lead people to the good, true, and beautiful, the source of which is Jesus Christ himself.
