Catholic Fire

Sante Chapelle, Paris The Sainte Chapelle (Holy Chapel) is a royal chapel in the Gothic style, within the medieval Palais de la Cité, the residence of the Kings of France until the 14th century, on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris, France. The Sainte Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Rayonnant period of Gothic architecture. It was commissioned by King Louis IX of France to house his collection of Passion relics, including Christ's Crown of Thorns—one of the most important relics in medieval Christendom. Along with the Conciergerie, the Sainte Chapelle is one of the earliest surviving buildings of the Capetian royal palace on the Île de la Cité. Although damaged during the French Revolution, and restored in the 19th century, it has one of the most extensive 13th-century stained glass collection anywhere in the world. Medieval man was able to bring forth amazing faith-inspired works of beauty that organically flourished from a Christ...

June 29 is the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, who are the co-founders of the Church - the solid rock on which it was founded. Both were martyrs for the faith. Saint Peter by Paolo Emilio Besenzi  St. Peter Peter's original name was Simon. He was a fisherman and the brother of Saint Andrew, the apostle who led him to Christ. As an apostle of Christ, Simon was renamed "Peter" (in Hebrew Kephas) or "rock" by Jesus to indicate that Peter would be the rock-like foundation on which the Church would be built. Peter's house often became the scene of miracles, since Jesus would stay there whenever He was teaching in that locality. Together with his brothers John and Andrew, Peter belonged to the first of Jesus' disciples. After the Ascension, Peter took the leading role that Christ had assigned to him and became the first Pope. He served as the first Bishop of Rome and died there as a martyr in 64 a.d. crucified with his head downward, as h...

A new exhibition sponsored by the Vatican Museum presents sculptures in precious metals from the 14th to 18th century.

A painting of the coronation of St. Louis IX, King of France , hangs in the "Old Cathedral" in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. It is entitled "Louis IX Venerating the Relic of the Crown of Thorns," painted by Charles Coypel in 1751. It was purchased by Bishop Louis DuBourg in 1817 and later hung in a side chapel of what was then the St. Louis Cathedral, which is now the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, or the "Old Cathedral." In the video, Catherine Szeltner shows us the rich Catholic history of the city known as "The Rome of the West."

The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ have been reflected in artwork for centuries. In fact, Jesus Christ's ordeal is one of the most recurrent themes in art history. It has left humanity with some of its most beautiful and dramatic images. Van der Weyden, Giotto, Dalí, Velázquez, Goya, Murillo, Caravaggio, El Greco and Rembrandt are some of the masters who have translated the key moment of Christianity into tremendous art.

1. Art has always been fascinating to me, especially Catholic art. I have my own small collection of statues, paintings, crucifixes, and other objects of art. I also enjoy portrait sketching and painting myself (when I get a chance). Above is one example of a very old painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe that my mother gave me just before she entered into eternal life. Recently, I have become acquainted with a local artist, who is also a member of my parish. Born in the hill country near Trieste, Italy, to an Italian mother and American father, Rita Zaudke came to America when she was four years old. She has made many trips back to Italy since then. Inspired by the Italian people, the picturesque villages, and the elaborate architecture, she has produced a collection of beautiful paintings which reflect her love for the country. Take a look at her beautiful work HERE . 2.   For three days this past week, we had record-breaking temperatures in the 70's, so I chose to exerc...

The tradition of setting up nativity scenes was actually born in Italy, thanks to St. Francis of Assisi. So, it doesn't get more Italian than this: A nativity scene, shepherds and all, made out of pasta. It's just one of hundreds of original designs, on display at a yearly Christmas exhibit titled "100 Nativity Sets.” MARIA MENAGLIA 100 Presepi (Rome) "This year we have 212 of them on display. They are all new and they came from 42 different countries. From Italy alone, we have some from 14 regions. They represent all the culture of the world.” Even though the exhibit is based in Europe, Latin American has a strong presence. Countries like Mexico, Colombia and Peru put forth their best work for the show. Displays like these prove that a tradition that started centuries ago, is still very much alive today on a global scale. MARIA MENAGLIA 100 Presepi (Rome) "In the 60's this tradition was dying in Italy. The Christmas tree was more fashionable...

The exhibit, "Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea,"  explores the concept of womanhood represented by the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as the social and sacred functions her image has served through time. This landmark exhibition organized by the National Museum of Women in the Arts brings together more than 60 Renaissance- and Baroque-era masterworks from the Vatican Museums, Uffizi Gallery, and other museums, churches, and private collections in Europe and the United States. Related: Art Exhibit in Washington Explores the Madonna as Woman, Mother, and Idea

Br. Joseph Ryan takes you on a brief tour of St. Benedict's Abbey in Atchison, KS. For more information, see their website: http://www.kansasmonks.org

Thousands of tourists walk past Rome's Capitoline Hill each day. Its design comes from famed Renaissance artist Michelangelo. Within the historic square, the Capitoline Museum hosts an exhibit dedicated to him, to mark 450 years since his death. CLAUDIO PARISI Rome Superintendence of Cultural Heritage "It wasn't possible to show Michelangelo's greatest works, like the Sistine Chapel, the Piety or the David. But, we sought to bring his works that had never been seen together. The exhibit shows Michelangelo through works that are not well known, but hold lots of significance.” Among the highlights are the "Madonna of the Steps.” Michelangelo completed he relief sculpture at the age of 15. CLAUDIO PARISI Rome Superintendence of Cultural Heritage "Within a very confined space, a thin slab of marble, it already expresses some of the fundamental characteristics of the great Florentine artist. Perspective, the great attention to the delineation of the b...

Judging by the sober appearance of this monastery in Rome, it's hard to imagine the vibrant treasures hidden within. Colorful frescoes adorn the vaulted ceilings of its Gothic Hall, transporting visitors to the 13th Century. ETTORE PIETRABISSA General Director, ARCUS "They discovered them about 10 years ago, when, for the first time, experts realized that underneath a coat of paint, added probably in the 16th Century, there were this frescoes, which we've been uncovering bit by bit.” After a decade in restoration, the splendor of these images resurfaced. The expressions of their characters, whether happy or serious, tell a story of a different, bygone era. ANDREINA DRAGHI Italian Ministry of Tourism "From the bottom up, they represent the months of the year and their respective crops. Then we have the arts, and further up, in the vaulted ceiling, the four seasons and the winds.” ETTORE PIETRABISSA General Director, ARCUS "This frescoes are slowly...

Pope Francis was officially proclaimed a superhero. His weapons include a rosary hanging around his neck, and a briefcase pack with values, and even a scarf of his favorite soccer team's colors. This piece of street art depicting the Pope in mid-flight popped up in Borgo Pio, a neighborhood right next to the Vatican, and it caught people's attention quick. The artist, signed as "Maupal”, expressed why he designed Pope Francis as a superhero. MAURO PALLOTTA "Maupal,” Urban Artist "To me, he's the only man in power in the world, one of the few, that is now using his power for the people, to do good. He does it with facts, without regard to what anyone else thinks of the Church or religion. I think he's taken up the role of a superhero.” The Roman artist said his piece would be incomplete without the scarf of the San Lorenzo de Almagro soccer club. And it's no coincidence that it peeks out from the Pope's suitcase, full of values. MAURO ...

(Vatican Radio) A striking sculpture of Jesus, depicted as a homeless man sleeping on a park bench, was presented to Pope Francis following the general audience in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday. The unusual art work was brought over from Canada by sculptor Timothy Schmalz who has been exploring the contemporary face of Christian art for over two decades. The large bronze sculpture was inspired by an encounter the artist had with a homeless person on the streets of Toronto several years ago, an experience that brought new insight into the Gospel passage about caring for the hungry, the thirsty, the naked and the strangers in our midst. Continue reading.

Today is the historical feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa (The Black Madonna). The Black Madonna was painted by St. Luke the Evangelist ; and it was while painting the picture, Mary told him about the life of Jesus, which he later incorporated into his gospel. The next time we hear of the painting is in 326 A.D. when St. Helen found it in Jerusalem and gave it to her son and had a shrine built for it in Constantinople. During a battle, the picture was placed on the walls of the city, and the enemy army fled. Our Lady saved the city from destruction. The picture was owned by many other people until 1382 when invading Tartars attacked a Prince Ladislaus' fortress, where the painting was located. A Tartar's arrow lodged into through the throat of the Madonna. The Prince transferred the painting to a church in Czestochowa, Poland. In 1430, the church was invaded and a looter struck the painting two times with his sword, but before he could strike it another time, he fell to t...

August 21, 2013.(Romereports.com) Just minutes after his election as Supreme Pontiff, the entire world wanted the image of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis. The historic moment also inspired Argentine painter Mercedes Fariña with the idea to paints the new Pope.   MERCEDES FARIÑA Painter “I thought that it was a good opportunity to show this moment, which is so important, through an Argentine painter, someone from his same nationality. Another thing that drew me to the Holy Father is that I'm from the Flores neighborhood, which is where he was born and grew up. In the first painting, I placed him next to his church, where he found his religious vocation.” The painter found a way to get a letter and a picture of her painting to the Pope. The Vatican responded to the painter with an Apostolic Blessing. But the best surprise was yet to come. MERCEDES FARIÑA Painter “I received a second letter handwritten by him. It was an immense joy for me, and he thanked me for the...

Today is a special day for me and my community. It is the feast of Blessed Fra Angelico . Bl. John of Fiesole, popularly known as Bl. Fra Angelico, was a Dominican painter in the mid-fifteenth century known for the beauty of his paintings and the holiness of his priestly life. Nicknamed “Angelico” by his brothers, his Dominican consecration and life are worthy of imitation as he preached Jesus Christ by his life, his words, and his paintings. Given the name Guido at Baptism, this saint was born near Vicchio, in the vicinity of Florence, at the end of the 14th century. From his youth he practiced the art of painting. Having entered the Dominican convent in Fiesole, he was given the name Brother Giovanni (Brother John). After ordination he held various responsibilities, one of which was that of prior of the convent in Fiesole. Faithful to the promises he made as a Dominican, to preach the Gospel after having contemplated it in prayer, Fra Angelico put his creativity at the disp...

February 7, 2013 (Romereports.com)  A unique art exhibit brings together for the first time 40 paintings on the life of Saint Peter, from museums all across the globe. The Vatican is hoping the works featuring the first Pope can serve as inspiration for the Year of Faith . FR. ALESSIO GERETTI Coordinator, “Peter's Journey” “Peter is a man with whom anyone can identify with, believers or no believers. Peter was enthused in recognizing Jesus as the son of God before others. But he was weak by denying him during the most critical time of the master's life.” Jan Brueghel the Elder, Luca Giordano, Simon Vouet, Mattia Preti and Eugène Bunard are just a few of the artists that throughout history have depicted Saint Peter and have showcased his commitment to God. FR. ALESSIO GERETTI Coordinator, “Peter's Journey” “Peter resembles us in many ways. So we thought to explain 'what is faith?' during the Year of Faith, we did not want an abstract definitio...

Pope Invites Artists to the Sistine Chapel

Christ Glorified in the Court of Heaven Blessed Fra Angelico 1428-30 Tempera on wood National Gallery, London 834 - This day was declared to be All Saints’ Day by the Catholic Church. 1512 - The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel , painted by Michelangelo , is exhibited to the public for the first time. 1946 - Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II , was ordained as a priest .