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.

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)

The Crucifixion and the Mond Crucifixion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

God as Architect/Builder/Geometer/Craftsman

God as Architect/Builder/Geometer/Craftsman

The beauty and order of the cosmos reveal much about who God is. Use this image as a starting point for conversations about God as creator of all things, visible and invisible.

Frontispiece of Bible Moralisée.