Beauty Portraying Theology

By Nathaniel

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I hadn't realized before this trip the amount of attention that the art of the churches received before this trip. I had known they were beautiful but I didn't think there was as much teaching as the Eastern brothers and sisters do through their iconography. There really is an attempt to catechize someone through the artwork in these churches. And I think what I mostly learned through this was lack of attention given to catechism through art today in churches that I see. I think it is a lack of recognition that beauty can contain/portray the truth of theology and God. Theology is not all academic rigorous systematic readings, is the understanding of God in all the ways of perceiving that was given to us. Including our sense of beauty, proportion, and awe amongst others that are activated in the sight of something theological being portrayed artfully. A sort of Platonic form that is emphasized in the early churches devotion to art missing in later art (and philosophers).

Understanding Faith Through Art

By Dalia

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The artwork that I have seen throughout this course has been jaw-dropping. The creativity that artists had back in the day is amazing. To know that most artwork was actually done so illiterate people could understand, is heartwarming. I am a visual learner and seeing all that artwork gave me a better understanding of the bible. I loved going to each site and noticing the different types of methods artists used to express themselves and the readings. Also, artwork gives us the chance to expand our minds as to what other meanings it might have. You can read about how tragic an event was but you won’t feel it until you see a visual representation of it. The colors, facial expressions and body gestures combined can make a reading ten times better. That’s why I like picture books better! My favorite place to see amazing artwork was the Sistine Chapel. Every single inch of the ceiling and walls are painted. Each little section telling a story. The beautiful colors and the detail to everything made me fall in love with it. The Sistine Chapel was my favorite place so far. Nothing can beat the beauty and emotion that I got from standing in the middle of the chapel. The Last Judgement on the wall was the most interesting to look at. Seeing all of Genesis on the ceiling was breathtaking.

St. Francis of Assisi

By Diego

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Learning about Saint Francis of Assisi and his decision to live a life of poverty was incredibly interesting. The fact that his own faith and his relationship to Jesus was enough for him is truly inspiring. Saint Francis also has a special place in my heart because my church, and the elementary and middle school that I went to, was named Saint Francis of Assisi. So a big moment for me was having mass in front of his tomb. This was after we heard a little bit about his life and how much of a humble man he was. This was something that I never knew growing up. I had always just connected the name to my church/school, but I did not really know his character. The fact that I was able to give the Blood of Christ during mass, a ministry I have learned to do in my church and that I teach to other young people, in front of the tomb Saint Francis, really astounds me.