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Using Sacred Art to Bring the Faith Alive
How to Use
Because sacred art is a proven way to infuse your classroom with beauty while encouraging fruitful discussions, we have included several images below, along with ways to bring the painting to life.
Art featured in Spirit of Truth: The Sacraments (5th Grade)
Divine Mercy
Your students may be familiar with this image, but do they understand what it really means?
Fifth grade teachers: please note that a usable digital image of the Adolf Hyla Divine Mercy painting could not be located. We have provided here the 1934 Eugeniusz Kazimirowski painting.
The Miraculous Draught of Fishes: Christ’s First Call to the Disciples
This image gives a great visual for Christ's first call to the disciples, as well as how they responded.
c. 1545, Jacopo Bassano, National Gallery of Art, Washington.
The Wedding Feast at Cana
Use this image to discuss Jesus' first miracle and what marriage means to the Church.
1819, Julius Schnorr Von Carolsfeld, Kunsthalle, Hamburg
Foot Washing
Use this image to discuss what Jesus means about love and serving others.
Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida
The Crucifixion and the Mond Crucifixion
This image helps your students understand God's gift of His Body and Blood in the Eucharist.
c. 1503 by Raphael, The National Gallery, London.
Healing of the Blind Man
Use this image to help your students understand how Jesus heals us, and learn more about the institution of the Sacrament of Anointing of the sick.
c. 1308-1311, Duccio di Buoninsegna, National Gallery London and Art Resource New York.
The Return of the Prodigal Son
This image brings to life for your students one of Jesus' most beloved Parables about God's love and mercy.
c. 1661-1669, Rembrandt Van Rijn, Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.
The Palsied Man Let Down through the Roof
Use this powerful depiction of the faith of a sick man and his friends to get to Jesus with your students.
1886-1896, James Tissot, The Palsied Man Let Down through the Roof, Brooklyn Museum.
The Last Supper
There is almost no end to the directions you can take class discussion about this image; our discussion guide will point you in a few.
c. 1546, Jacapo Bassano, Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy.
Descent of the Holy Ghost
Use this image to discuss the moment when the Church was born.
15th century, Artist unknown, German, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Baptism of Christ by John
Do your students understand why Christ was baptized? Use this image to discuss this intriguing question and others on the Sacrament of Baptism.
c. 1446, by Bl. Fra Angelico, Museo San Marco, Florence, Italy.
The Sacrificial Lamb
Why do we call Jesus the Lamb of God? Use this image to explain it to your students.
c. 1684, by Josefa De Ayala, Massarenti Collection.