Statuary serves its role in the church primarily through the Crucifix: prominently displayed in almost every sanctuary and Catholic home. Although there are some statues of the Risen Christ, they do not find nearly as much prominence (and we won’t even speak of the attempts to combine the imagery of Read more…
“God is dead and we have killed him.” Nietzsche is right once a year. The horror of the death of Christ for our sins, marred beyond recognition, and the responsibility we bear for this suffering, should touch us deeply. Although the terror of the death of God gives way to Read more…
Nietzsche, in The Gay Science, after proclaiming the death of God (through the voice of the madman), declared churches to be nothing more than sepulchers of God. Having led a pilgrimage to some of the most beautiful churches in France and Belgium, I think the atheistic prophet is on to Read more…
Giovanni Battista Draghi (1710-36), known simply as Pergolesi, died far too young. It may be fitting, therefore, that he is known for his musical setting of the Stabat Mater, the hymn we know mostly from the Stations of the Cross. Its emotional and spiritual power may derive, in part, from Read more…
There are essential prayers that most Catholics memorize, particularly those recited in the rosary (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be). With these prayers, the rosary has served a central way that Catholics meditate, particularly on its twenty mysteries. Many Catholics also attend the Stations on the Cross on Fridays during Read more…
I chose this painting by Diego Velázquez (1599-1660) as the first of many artifacts of Catholic culture through which I will explore Catholic cultural literacy. It certainly is not one of the most important works of Catholic art, but it represents an important concept for Catholic culture: the breaking of Read more…
The following reflection is an excerpt from a talk I gave on Catholic education and the formation of culture: Christopher Dawson, in his work The Crisis of Western Education, proposes that Catholic education should take place with the context of culture: the reception and transmission of the treasury of the Read more…
The term cultural literacy was advanced by E.D. Hirsch, Jr. in his bestselling book, Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know. He made a very concrete proposal that included words, persons, events, works of art, places, and concepts needed to be an intelligent and well-functioning adult in American society. Read more…
My friend and former student, Katie Warner, just did a focus on lay Catholics who are helping to revive Catholic culture. See the article here. I’m glad that Katie included my book, The Beer Option, as part of this revival of culture. This is exactly why I wrote the book, Read more…
This blog will focus on how to build Catholic culture in its various dimensions. It will explore the spirituality and history of Catholic culture and its expression in art and the home.