catholic art

I am well aware of the real/historical reasons: pagan origins, Sol Invictus, other Sun-worshiping deities etc... I'm just curious about what the official Catholic position on the matter is since they deny their pagan origins.

What's the CATHOLIC reason for the presence of halos in Catholic art?

The entirely Catholic Sister Wendy, who had a BBC documentary series on art based on her book writes:

"The halo as a symbol of divinity was originally attributed to the sun gods Apollo, Mithras and Helios, and signified the sun's radiance and power. It first appeared in Christian art in the 4th century"

She uncritically acknowledges the loveliness of the later Northern Renaissance movement (beginning of the 15th century) where the sacred was brought down to earth. Real life domesticities were portrayed alongside the unromantic realities of life. "A puny newborn Christ is painted alongside a sullen midwife, coarse shepherds, and a cow in its rickety stable. Yet everything is solid, lovely, true, and despite its realism, all is pervsaded by a deep though unselfconscious faith." Not a halo in sight! The nearest to that is a wickerwork firescreen behind the Virgin's head. "By tradition, International Gothic style indicated holiness with a golden circle."

The Catholic Church long ago decided it would thumb a snoot at paganism by absorbing it. It would triumph over it by diluting it and emasculating it of its uniqueness. I'm not a Catholic, so I will add that Christians shouldn't touch raw paganism with a barge-pole. However, I have no qualms at wearing a wedding ring. Do you?

2008-12-02 05:44:26 by Monica V

Fr. Mike McGovern, Pastor of the Church of St. Mary in Lake Forest, IL talks about the Catholic Church and the Arts (including excerpts from an ...

I would never allow a rosay in my house but some of their paintings are pretty sometimes. Are we allowed to like it or is part of the satan's trick to take us away from christianity?

Wow I mean just wow...

Some of the paintings are pretty? You have clearly never been to the Vatican! The Vatican is amazing!

Repeat after me: Catholics ARE Christians, Catholicism IS a DENOMINATION of Christianity!

You would never allow a Rosary in your house? How intolerant are you!

2009-02-22 04:20:42 by Jenny

Price: $1.99 $0.99

I paint and draw pictures for Catholic church's. They are very nice but do you think that I could sell them to other people?

There is no shortage of catholics in america.

2005-12-13 05:54:49 by the?one

Price: $44.99 $18.50

Cold Cast Resin
7 Inches Tall x 3 Inches Wide

I also have a couple other questions...
how would u apply john 13:34-35 in your daily life?
why do catholics celebrate gods mercy in reconciliation?

The Body and Blood of Christ, the Eucharist.

At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “Take this bread. It is my body.” Then he said, “Take this and drink. This is my blood. Do this in memory of me.”

Catholics believe this was the First Eucharist, that through a miracle the bread and wine actually became the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Catholics reenact the Last Supper during every Mass, where God, acting through the priest, changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

This is a great sacrament of thanksgiving and unity of Catholics.

By the way, the Eastern Catholic, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, the Lutheran and many Anglican Churches also believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. This is more than half of all Christians in the world.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1322 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2s ect2chpt1art3.shtml

With love in Christ.

2009-02-18 18:27:47 by d f

during the Renaissance and Baroque Periods (12th-18th centuries).
What music was used during the period of the Martyrdom of the Saints and why was it sacred to this time period?

Perhaps, it should be the other way around.

2009-12-31 09:44:06 by Cassidy F