Stuart Chessman of the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny reports on the Catholic Artists Society’s Advent Evening of Recollection…

+ + +

An evening of recollection, with benediction and the opportunity of confession sponsored by the Catholic Artists Society – all in the magnificent surroundings of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral (now a basilica). It was followed by a most pleasant reception in the rectory of the church – in the very room where Archbishop McCloskey received his cardinal’s hat – he was the first American Cardinal.

An inspiring meditation, specifically addressed to the artistic community, was given by Fr.Jonathan Morris. He referred to Pope Benedict’s comments on the special role of the artist. Through the “production” of art the artist in a sense shares in the ministry of the church; he leads people to the same goal as the clergy seek to do.

Second, the artist’s experience of beauty contributes to the spiritual development of the artist himself. His talent is not separate from his spiritual life but is a means by which the Holy Spirit seeks to lead him to salvation.

The experience of beauty does not remove us from reality but deepens our encounter with it. This is why the artist often has a higher “velocity” of spiritual life. The temptation to mediocrity, however, is a threat to us all but expecially to the artist. For the devil wants nothing more than that a man should be only a “good guy.”

Many thanks to the pastor of St. Patrick’s, Monsignor Donald Sakano, for hosting this special evening.

+ + +

Inspired by Pope Benedict XVI’s call to artists to be “custodians of Beauty” and “heralds and witnesses of Hope to humanity”, the Catholic Artists Society is an association of arts, entertainment and media professionals dedicated to working for the greater glory of God and the common good. In keeping with the aims of the New Evangelization, the Society seeks to reach out to all artists, as well as to patrons and audiences, to promote a public discourse on the meaning of Beauty, and to cultivate a greater understanding of Christianity’s contribution to the shaping of our cultural heritage and civilization.

+ + +