Using Sacred Art to Bring the Faith Alive

Wonder and the Image of God

These images provoke the wonder that is appropriate to engaging with God's creation. 

The Starry Night, by Vincent Van Gogh; Cape Cod Morning, by Edward Hopper; Studies for the Libyan Sibyl, by Michelangelo Buonarroti

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes: The Call to Holy Orders

What do holy orders ask of those who receive them? This image helps get into that conversation.

c. 1545, Jacopo Bassano, National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Salvation History Begins and Ends with a Wedding Image Collage

These three images show the theme of marriage prominently displayed in salvation history.

Creation of Eve, Orthodox Icon; The Wedding Feast at Cana, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld; Detail from The Ghent Altarpiece, by Jan van Eyck.

The Return of the Prodigal Son

This image brings home the scope of confession and how willing God the Father is to forgive us.

c. 1661-1669, Rembrandt Van Rijn, Hermitage Museum, S t. Petersburg, Russia.

Adoration of the Lamb

This image goes far to demonstrate that the Eucharist isn't merely a symbol, but a great reality and mystery.

c. 1557-1559, Michiel Coxie, Bode-Museum, Berlin.

Pentecostés

Use this image to discuss the beginning of the Church on Earth with your students.

c. 1615-1620, Fray Juan Bautista Maino, Museo del Prado, Madrid.

Mond Crucifixion

Use this image to discuss how the sacraments that Jesus gives the Church make an invisible reality visible here and now.

c. 1503 by Raphael, The National Gallery, London. 

Chartres Cathedral

Even the simplest of Catholic churches have lessons of our faith built directly into the building. Discuss that fact with these images of the Chartres Cathedral.

Interior, exterior, and architectural images.

Salvation History Collection

This collection marks the big moments of salvation history, providing an outline for discussion with your students.

Assorted images.

Christ the Redeemer Statue

This statue is well placed and it does well to spark a conversation about where Jesus ought to be in our society.

c. 1931, Paul Landowski, Corcovado Mountain, T ijuca Forest National Park. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Annunciation

Bring your students into the moment of Mary saying that grand Yes to changing the course of history forever.

c. 1472-1475, Leonardo Da Vinci, Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy.

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte

Art does not have to have a religious subject to prompt engaging and memorable discussion! Use this image for a fruitful exploration of the social nature of mankind.

c. 1884-1886, Georges-Pierre Seurat, The Art Institute of Chicago.