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AD PORTA CAELI

Beauty: The Forgotten Transcendental

The Immaculate Conception

Madeline

3 days ago7 min read

The Immaculate Conception

A beautiful painting reflecting Our Lady's immaculate conception, purity and reigning over earth and heaven.

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How to Approach Art - Visio Divina

Madeline

Nov 255 min read

How to Approach Art - Visio Divina

How to approach art through visio divina.

3 views0 comments

The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple

Madeline

Nov 118 min read

The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple

The presentation of Mary at the temple - a beautiful reminder of her childlikeness, simplicity, and trust.

15 views0 comments

How to Approach Art - Stylistic Analysis

Madeline

Oct 287 min read

How to Approach Art - Stylistic Analysis

How to approach art using stylistic analysis.

10 views0 comments

“I am the Immaculate Conception”

These words provide a comforting feeling to me, as it reminds me of my favorite apparition of Mary to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France. Our Lady appeared to Bernadette in 1858, just four years after the Church proclaimed the teaching of the Immaculate Conception as a dogma. Although it was a few years after the dogmatic declaration, St. Bernadette was a peasant girl who would not have had the knowledge of understanding of what this meant. Mary appeared to Bernadette to give her the message of God’s great love for us, no matter what. She also reminded us that happiness will not be in this world, but is waiting for us in heaven when we are united with God. Mary’s self identification as the Immaculate Conception shows how she wants us to realize how powerful, mighty and loving God is.

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Image: The Immaculate Conception, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1767-69. Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain.
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #immaculateconception #feastday #tiepolo #madrid #mary #giovannibattistatiepolo #pradomuseum

“I am the Immaculate Conception”

These words provide a comforting feeling to me, as it reminds me of my favorite apparition of Mary to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France. Our Lady appeared to Bernadette in 1858, just four years after the Church proclaimed the teaching of the Immaculate Conception as a dogma. Although it was a few years after the dogmatic declaration, St. Bernadette was a peasant girl who would not have had the knowledge of understanding of what this meant. Mary appeared to Bernadette to give her the message of God’s great love for us, no matter what. She also reminded us that happiness will not be in this world, but is waiting for us in heaven when we are united with God. Mary’s self identification as the Immaculate Conception shows how she wants us to realize how powerful, mighty and loving God is.

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Image: The Immaculate Conception, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1767-69. Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain.
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #immaculateconception #feastday #tiepolo #madrid #mary #giovannibattistatiepolo #pradomuseum

Dialogue with God about what you see in the image and what you think. Ask Him to reveal what He wants to understand through the art.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #visiodivina #lectiodivina #visio #divine #divineseeing #prayer

Dialogue with God about what you see in the image and what you think. Ask Him to reveal what He wants to understand through the art.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #visiodivina #lectiodivina #visio #divine #divineseeing #prayer

Lord, thank you for the gift of beauty. Your truth and goodness radiates in what is beautiful. May I myself hold your truth and goodness within me so I may too be as beautiful as you. Creator of all, thank you for sacred art. You are the everlasting muse of the genius artists that show what is beautiful. Help me to dive deeper into the works inspired by your magnificence. Draw me closer to yourself through the sacred art that surrounds me.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #visiodivina #lectiodivina #visio #divine #divineseeing #prayer

Lord, thank you for the gift of beauty. Your truth and goodness radiates in what is beautiful. May I myself hold your truth and goodness within me so I may too be as beautiful as you. Creator of all, thank you for sacred art. You are the everlasting muse of the genius artists that show what is beautiful. Help me to dive deeper into the works inspired by your magnificence. Draw me closer to yourself through the sacred art that surrounds me.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #visiodivina #lectiodivina #visio #divine #divineseeing #prayer

A beautiful method to dive deeper into art is through visio divina. Visio divina is Latin for “divine seeing” and is a beautiful way to pray. It helps us make use of the deep visual tradition of the Church and sacred art and integrate it with our relationship with God. Being able to see the divine in everything around us whether it be a painting, sculpture, church, nature or other beautiful thing will help us recognize God. Visio divina has a long history in the Church whether or not it has been called that. As long as people have been making art, we have been trying to understand, interpret and dive deeper into its meaning and purpose. The stained glass and paintings in ancient churches were meant to instruct the faithful, teaching them the Scriptures and stories of the great saints. It still has this power and this purpose. Art can be instructive when we let it and God constantly wants to show His truth and beauty within sacred art.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #visiodivina #lectiodivina #visio #divine #divineseeing #prayer

A beautiful method to dive deeper into art is through visio divina. Visio divina is Latin for “divine seeing” and is a beautiful way to pray. It helps us make use of the deep visual tradition of the Church and sacred art and integrate it with our relationship with God. Being able to see the divine in everything around us whether it be a painting, sculpture, church, nature or other beautiful thing will help us recognize God. Visio divina has a long history in the Church whether or not it has been called that. As long as people have been making art, we have been trying to understand, interpret and dive deeper into its meaning and purpose. The stained glass and paintings in ancient churches were meant to instruct the faithful, teaching them the Scriptures and stories of the great saints. It still has this power and this purpose. Art can be instructive when we let it and God constantly wants to show His truth and beauty within sacred art.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #visiodivina #lectiodivina #visio #divine #divineseeing #prayer

Think about St. Joachim and Anne and their journey to have Mary. What do you think they are feeling right now?

How does Mary’s presentation in the temple compare to Jesus’?

Happy feast of the Presentation!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #presentation #mary #joachim #anne #presentationintemple #titian #venice #tradition

Think about St. Joachim and Anne and their journey to have Mary. What do you think they are feeling right now?

How does Mary’s presentation in the temple compare to Jesus’?

Happy feast of the Presentation!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #presentation #mary #joachim #anne #presentationintemple #titian #venice #tradition

Lord, thank you for the gift of your mother, Mary. Help us be confident in presenting ourselves to you as she was. May we walk with humility, love and the willingness to learn your way. You are a merciful God who loves to see us run to you as little children. Allow me to sprint to you in my need, my weakness, my joy, and my strength. Help all those who do not know how to be childlike in your presence. Grant them safety in being vulnerable and trusting their whole selves to you. Please grant me this same safety and trust. Mary - thank you for your yes that began way before your fiat at the Annunciation. Thank you for showing us the way to being the light of the world by carrying Christ within us.

Mary, Temple for the Light of the World, pray for us!

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #presentation #mary #joachim #anne #presentationintemple #titian #venice #tradition

Lord, thank you for the gift of your mother, Mary. Help us be confident in presenting ourselves to you as she was. May we walk with humility, love and the willingness to learn your way. You are a merciful God who loves to see us run to you as little children. Allow me to sprint to you in my need, my weakness, my joy, and my strength. Help all those who do not know how to be childlike in your presence. Grant them safety in being vulnerable and trusting their whole selves to you. Please grant me this same safety and trust. Mary - thank you for your yes that began way before your fiat at the Annunciation. Thank you for showing us the way to being the light of the world by carrying Christ within us.

Mary, Temple for the Light of the World, pray for us!

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #presentation #mary #joachim #anne #presentationintemple #titian #venice #tradition

In Mary’s perfection, she had no fear entering the temple. She confidently stepped forward away from her parents into the loving hands of the Lord. He created her in the womb, he knew her name and what history changing choices she would make when she was older. But yet, He asked for her yes at this point of her life, as a little child. And Mary said this fiat before an even bigger one. I think that the life of faith works this way too. When we are small and little in our faith life, only just beginning to experience conversion, God asks for little things. He may ask you to give Him something, or entrust something to Him, or give up something for His sake. It will be subtle and seemingly minor, but it always builds to bigger things. The Lord will not be satisfied with the tiniest part of your heart - He wants your whole being! While this seems daunting at times, it is something that we have the ability to work up to. God does not expect us to be saints at the heights of holiness at the beginning of our journey, thank goodness for that! He gives us time to loosen our stony hearts, clinging to our hard ways to replace it with the flesh that is true humanity. Over time, we can become more confident as Mary would have been, saying yes to the Lord and giving Him everything.

Image: The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple, Titian. 1534-38. Gallerie dell’ Accademia, Venice.
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #presentation #mary #joachim #anne #presentationintemple #titian #venice #tradition

In Mary’s perfection, she had no fear entering the temple. She confidently stepped forward away from her parents into the loving hands of the Lord. He created her in the womb, he knew her name and what history changing choices she would make when she was older. But yet, He asked for her yes at this point of her life, as a little child. And Mary said this fiat before an even bigger one. I think that the life of faith works this way too. When we are small and little in our faith life, only just beginning to experience conversion, God asks for little things. He may ask you to give Him something, or entrust something to Him, or give up something for His sake. It will be subtle and seemingly minor, but it always builds to bigger things. The Lord will not be satisfied with the tiniest part of your heart - He wants your whole being! While this seems daunting at times, it is something that we have the ability to work up to. God does not expect us to be saints at the heights of holiness at the beginning of our journey, thank goodness for that! He gives us time to loosen our stony hearts, clinging to our hard ways to replace it with the flesh that is true humanity. Over time, we can become more confident as Mary would have been, saying yes to the Lord and giving Him everything.

Image: The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple, Titian. 1534-38. Gallerie dell’ Accademia, Venice.
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #presentation #mary #joachim #anne #presentationintemple #titian #venice #tradition

As Christians, we know the importance of reading both the Old AND the New Testament to see how God has had a plan throughout all of history bringing us to Himself in salvation. Knowing where we came from helps us to understand and see where we are going. The same goes with art - when we can see the past and the different movements and why they happened we can then understand why art is the way that it is now and where it is going. The evolution of style and the impact of artists and art on culture is so helpful to see how and why art is so important.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #style #stylistic #analysis #analyze #deepdive #who #what #where #when #why #stylisticanalysis

As Christians, we know the importance of reading both the Old AND the New Testament to see how God has had a plan throughout all of history bringing us to Himself in salvation. Knowing where we came from helps us to understand and see where we are going. The same goes with art - when we can see the past and the different movements and why they happened we can then understand why art is the way that it is now and where it is going. The evolution of style and the impact of artists and art on culture is so helpful to see how and why art is so important.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #style #stylistic #analysis #analyze #deepdive #who #what #where #when #why #stylisticanalysis

Lord, you are the creator of this universe, of time and of history. May we remember when we look at art that you were present in each moment of history, whether or not it was recognized or seen. When we recognize style, we recognize the work that you are doing in the hands of the artist and the movements of society, culture and the world. Help us to be a positive influence on the world around us that we may create beautiful things and inspire others to create beautiful things for the goodness of the world and for further glorification of you.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #style #stylistic #analysis #analyze #deepdive #who #what #where #when #why #stylisticanalysis

Lord, you are the creator of this universe, of time and of history. May we remember when we look at art that you were present in each moment of history, whether or not it was recognized or seen. When we recognize style, we recognize the work that you are doing in the hands of the artist and the movements of society, culture and the world. Help us to be a positive influence on the world around us that we may create beautiful things and inspire others to create beautiful things for the goodness of the world and for further glorification of you.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #style #stylistic #analysis #analyze #deepdive #who #what #where #when #why #stylisticanalysis

The second method that would be helpful in learning how to approach art is stylistic analysis. This method builds off formal analysis to how a specific art piece fits within the wider genre in which it is included. Stylistic analysis assesses the expressive characteristics and importance of the work’ individual formal features. We are able to take the elements like line and color and see how it contributes to the overall message of the artwork. You can compare different artists and movements by highlighting similarities and differences in techniques and styles. We can also understand the context in which it was created such as cultural influences and historical events that shape an artist’s style. It uses both qualitative assessment of formal analysis describing visual features and also quantitative assessment such as patterns and trends in artworks.

As you grow in your art knowledge and seeing different varieties of art, you will start to recognize how different styles are grouped together, are very different, or how they compare to one another. Stylistic analysis is easiest to notice when comparing one artwork to one another, but can definitely be done with a singular piece!

Visit the new post through the link in my bio to read more!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #style #stylistic #analysis #analyze #deepdive #who #what #where #when #why #stylisticanalysis

The second method that would be helpful in learning how to approach art is stylistic analysis. This method builds off formal analysis to how a specific art piece fits within the wider genre in which it is included. Stylistic analysis assesses the expressive characteristics and importance of the work’ individual formal features. We are able to take the elements like line and color and see how it contributes to the overall message of the artwork. You can compare different artists and movements by highlighting similarities and differences in techniques and styles. We can also understand the context in which it was created such as cultural influences and historical events that shape an artist’s style. It uses both qualitative assessment of formal analysis describing visual features and also quantitative assessment such as patterns and trends in artworks.

As you grow in your art knowledge and seeing different varieties of art, you will start to recognize how different styles are grouped together, are very different, or how they compare to one another. Stylistic analysis is easiest to notice when comparing one artwork to one another, but can definitely be done with a singular piece!

Visit the new post through the link in my bio to read more!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #style #stylistic #analysis #analyze #deepdive #who #what #where #when #why #stylisticanalysis

How can you be more unified with the Lord?

How do you feel looking at this sculpture?

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #bernini #saintteresa #teresaofavila #ecstasy #theinteriorcastle #interior #castle #rome #italy #sculpture

How can you be more unified with the Lord?

How do you feel looking at this sculpture?

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #bernini #saintteresa #teresaofavila #ecstasy #theinteriorcastle #interior #castle #rome #italy #sculpture

Lord, you are calling us to the heights of holiness the same that you called St. Teresa of Avila to. Help us to see these heights as a journey that we can reach in this life. May we never tire of being purified by your love and touched by the arrow of your powerful heart. Conversion is a lifelong journey, may every step closer to you be a victory in heaven. Bring us closer to you this day and every day.

St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #bernini #saintteresa #teresaofavila #ecstasy #theinteriorcastle #interior #castle #rome #italy #sculpture

Lord, you are calling us to the heights of holiness the same that you called St. Teresa of Avila to. Help us to see these heights as a journey that we can reach in this life. May we never tire of being purified by your love and touched by the arrow of your powerful heart. Conversion is a lifelong journey, may every step closer to you be a victory in heaven. Bring us closer to you this day and every day.

St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #bernini #saintteresa #teresaofavila #ecstasy #theinteriorcastle #interior #castle #rome #italy #sculpture

I will be the first to admit that St. Teresa of Avila scares me a little bit. Just beginning her great work “The Interior Castle” makes me realize my own littleness, brokenness and sinfulness. If God is in the middle of the castle, I feel miles outside of the castle doors, glancing at it from the next mountain over. St. Teresa was such a holy woman and experienced the Lord so intensely that it makes it seem like I will never be like her. But that is her message - that we can all contemplate God and be unified with Him if we allow Him into our lives.

She is passively receiving the immense love and power of Christ in this moment. Her hand and foot is limp, she reclines back with mouth slightly open. She does not seem overwhelmed or in pain, but willingly accepting all the angel is doing unto her. We are all called to be the spouse of Christ, wholly united to Him. The Church is the Bride of Christ and we are able to partake in that spousal relationship. Earthly marriages are but a weak image of the glory of unification, love, purification and perfection that will be achieved in the spousal relationship of us with God. Looking at this sculpture I am encouraged to allow the Lord to more fully act in my life. If I just allow Him to come into my heart, I too can experience His purifying love.

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Image: Ecstasy of St. Teresa, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1647-52. Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome, Italy.
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #bernini #saintteresa #teresaofavila #ecstasy #theinteriorcastle #interior #castle #rome #italy #sculpture

I will be the first to admit that St. Teresa of Avila scares me a little bit. Just beginning her great work “The Interior Castle” makes me realize my own littleness, brokenness and sinfulness. If God is in the middle of the castle, I feel miles outside of the castle doors, glancing at it from the next mountain over. St. Teresa was such a holy woman and experienced the Lord so intensely that it makes it seem like I will never be like her. But that is her message - that we can all contemplate God and be unified with Him if we allow Him into our lives.

She is passively receiving the immense love and power of Christ in this moment. Her hand and foot is limp, she reclines back with mouth slightly open. She does not seem overwhelmed or in pain, but willingly accepting all the angel is doing unto her. We are all called to be the spouse of Christ, wholly united to Him. The Church is the Bride of Christ and we are able to partake in that spousal relationship. Earthly marriages are but a weak image of the glory of unification, love, purification and perfection that will be achieved in the spousal relationship of us with God. Looking at this sculpture I am encouraged to allow the Lord to more fully act in my life. If I just allow Him to come into my heart, I too can experience His purifying love.

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Image: Ecstasy of St. Teresa, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1647-52. Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome, Italy.
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #bernini #saintteresa #teresaofavila #ecstasy #theinteriorcastle #interior #castle #rome #italy #sculpture

Formal analysis can seem very foreign to us, but we use it everyday. We notice colors, lines, size, style, composition and material in nearly everything that we interact with. It is in these descriptions that we notice the little things in art and give us just another thing to ponder and draw us deeper.

Check out the blog post to dive into this more!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #arthistoryforeveryday #formalanalysis #formal #analysis #methodology

Formal analysis can seem very foreign to us, but we use it everyday. We notice colors, lines, size, style, composition and material in nearly everything that we interact with. It is in these descriptions that we notice the little things in art and give us just another thing to ponder and draw us deeper.

Check out the blog post to dive into this more!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #arthistoryforeveryday #formalanalysis #formal #analysis #methodology

Lord, you are the Divine Artist the created the entire universe in beauty, order, simplicity and complexity. Please show us how you are in the minor details of everything in our life whether it be in the colors of the sunset or the painting in front of us, the material of the sculpture or the clothes in which we wear. None of your universe was created without thought and intention. Thank you for your thought and love in created everything in order that we may experience your glory and magnificence. May I see myself as a beautiful, intent filled creature of yours.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #arthistoryforeveryday #formalanalysis #formal #analysis #methodology

Lord, you are the Divine Artist the created the entire universe in beauty, order, simplicity and complexity. Please show us how you are in the minor details of everything in our life whether it be in the colors of the sunset or the painting in front of us, the material of the sculpture or the clothes in which we wear. None of your universe was created without thought and intention. Thank you for your thought and love in created everything in order that we may experience your glory and magnificence. May I see myself as a beautiful, intent filled creature of yours.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #arthistoryforeveryday #formalanalysis #formal #analysis #methodology

In art history there are specific methods in approaching art. While this may seem formal, it does not have to be in practice! It gives us different frames of seeing the art and how we can understand it. These different approaches allow us to go deeper into the piece in front us and give us language to start talking about art.

The first method that I would like to touch on is formal analysis. This is the first type of analysis that most art history classes start with because it is usually the easiest way into the art. We often want to jump to meaning of the painting or what it depicts, but formal analysis takes it back to the very beginning. This can feel foreign to us but makes us see the art piece as a whole instead of the individual pieces or meaning. We can become more aware of the quality of the art and what goes into art that is true, good and beautiful. Our formal analysis of the painting can give us insight on what the artist was trying to accomplish and how they created such a piece. We can also learn what about certain art we like and more easily identify, understand and explain what it is that we enjoy.

Check out the blog to see formal analysis in practice!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #arthistoryforeveryday #formalanalysis #formal #analysis #methodology

In art history there are specific methods in approaching art. While this may seem formal, it does not have to be in practice! It gives us different frames of seeing the art and how we can understand it. These different approaches allow us to go deeper into the piece in front us and give us language to start talking about art.

The first method that I would like to touch on is formal analysis. This is the first type of analysis that most art history classes start with because it is usually the easiest way into the art. We often want to jump to meaning of the painting or what it depicts, but formal analysis takes it back to the very beginning. This can feel foreign to us but makes us see the art piece as a whole instead of the individual pieces or meaning. We can become more aware of the quality of the art and what goes into art that is true, good and beautiful. Our formal analysis of the painting can give us insight on what the artist was trying to accomplish and how they created such a piece. We can also learn what about certain art we like and more easily identify, understand and explain what it is that we enjoy.

Check out the blog to see formal analysis in practice!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #arthistoryforeveryday #formalanalysis #formal #analysis #methodology

What was your response to the Lord’s call? Disbelief, disinterest, ignoring him, anger, wonder?

How is the Lord calling you to deeper conversion of your heart, mind and life?
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #caravaggio #baroque #saints #matthew #stmatthew #rome #calling #conversion #followchrist #italy

What was your response to the Lord’s call? Disbelief, disinterest, ignoring him, anger, wonder?

How is the Lord calling you to deeper conversion of your heart, mind and life?
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #caravaggio #baroque #saints #matthew #stmatthew #rome #calling #conversion #followchrist #italy

O Divine Physician, be gentle with your children as we work through our own disbelief, disinterest, anger, confusion and sinfulness. Please be patient with us when you call us to radically leave everything and follow you. Thank you for the graces that you have given us even when we have not responded well to you. Open our ears and eyes so that we may hear your call and see the magnificent gifts you have given us. May we be like Saint Matthew and not worry about what or who we are leaving and focus only on you.

St. Matthew, pray for us!

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #caravaggio #baroque #saints #matthew #stmatthew #rome #calling #conversion #followchrist #italy

O Divine Physician, be gentle with your children as we work through our own disbelief, disinterest, anger, confusion and sinfulness. Please be patient with us when you call us to radically leave everything and follow you. Thank you for the graces that you have given us even when we have not responded well to you. Open our ears and eyes so that we may hear your call and see the magnificent gifts you have given us. May we be like Saint Matthew and not worry about what or who we are leaving and focus only on you.

St. Matthew, pray for us!

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #caravaggio #baroque #saints #matthew #stmatthew #rome #calling #conversion #followchrist #italy

I believe that everyone can ask the same questions when looking at this painting.

Who are you calling? Me? Why me God?

I think that this is what was going through Matthew’s mind when Jesus called out for him to follow him. I feel confident in this because these are the same questions that entered my mind when I felt called by the Lord to become Catholic. Converting to Catholicism was accompanied by several questions. Why me? Why do I have to change? What about me makes me special? Why not someone else? What does this mean for my life?

This continual calling to conversion makes these questions come up still, even after five years of being Catholic. Sometimes I feel God gives me answers to these questions and sometimes it feels like I am asking them yet again. But throughout it all I think the answer from the Lord is simply because he loves me. He loves me and that is why He wants me to follow Him. He loves me and that is why He calls me to do the harder thing. He loves me and that is why He wants me to walk away from my past sins. He loves me and I love Him. That is why I must follow Him.

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Image: Calling of Saint Matthew, Michaelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 1599-1600. San Luigi dei Francesci, Rome, Italy.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #caravaggio #baroque #saints #matthew #stmatthew #rome #calling #conversion #followchrist #italy

I believe that everyone can ask the same questions when looking at this painting.

Who are you calling? Me? Why me God?

I think that this is what was going through Matthew’s mind when Jesus called out for him to follow him. I feel confident in this because these are the same questions that entered my mind when I felt called by the Lord to become Catholic. Converting to Catholicism was accompanied by several questions. Why me? Why do I have to change? What about me makes me special? Why not someone else? What does this mean for my life?

This continual calling to conversion makes these questions come up still, even after five years of being Catholic. Sometimes I feel God gives me answers to these questions and sometimes it feels like I am asking them yet again. But throughout it all I think the answer from the Lord is simply because he loves me. He loves me and that is why He wants me to follow Him. He loves me and that is why He calls me to do the harder thing. He loves me and that is why He wants me to walk away from my past sins. He loves me and I love Him. That is why I must follow Him.

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Image: Calling of Saint Matthew, Michaelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 1599-1600. San Luigi dei Francesci, Rome, Italy.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #caravaggio #baroque #saints #matthew #stmatthew #rome #calling #conversion #followchrist #italy

What is my relationship like with each the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

How am I being called to an increase in relationship with them individually?
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #andreirublev #trinity #trinityicon #father #son #holyspirit #icon #icons #iconography #hospitalityofabraham

What is my relationship like with each the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

How am I being called to an increase in relationship with them individually?
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #andreirublev #trinity #trinityicon #father #son #holyspirit #icon #icons #iconography #hospitalityofabraham

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bring us further into the mystery of your Trinity. Your three in oneness is a wonder to behold, to ponder, and to glorify. Allow me to experience your love in an even greater way. Where I do not understand, help me to give over my control and confusion. Where I struggle to believe, help me to have faith and hope in your promises. May I partake in the mystery of the Eucharist and be reminded of your unique love for me. Thank you for being present in my life as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I want to get to know you more deeply and love you more purely.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #andreirublev #trinity #trinityicon #father #son #holyspirit #icon #icons #iconography #hospitalityofabraham

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bring us further into the mystery of your Trinity. Your three in oneness is a wonder to behold, to ponder, and to glorify. Allow me to experience your love in an even greater way. Where I do not understand, help me to give over my control and confusion. Where I struggle to believe, help me to have faith and hope in your promises. May I partake in the mystery of the Eucharist and be reminded of your unique love for me. Thank you for being present in my life as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I want to get to know you more deeply and love you more purely.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #andreirublev #trinity #trinityicon #father #son #holyspirit #icon #icons #iconography #hospitalityofabraham

This icon is at the heart of our home chapel and is a beloved art piece that we own. While our icon is newly painted and with bright colors, this icon of the trinity is worn and old. But what is in surprisingly good condition are their faces, hands and feet. I think that this is quite powerful - the face, hands and feet of the Lord are never failing, never fading, and never changing. God will always be consistent in our lives, even if we cannot see or feel that consistency. The face of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are so gentle as they gaze at each other in love and relationship. I imagine them often sitting in heaven, taking such joy and satisfaction in their love and relationship and creation.

They gaze at us the same way because they created us in love and for love. They gaze with a deep yearning for continuous relationship with us specifically. They desire for us to be their hands and feet on this earth that they created for us. For you. A personal belief when seeing this icon, over 600 years old, is that their hands and feet are pristine because their work is still being done on this earth. We are caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, making God’s love known and experienced in the world. At the table in the icon they are serving one another and we are meant to do the same. We are a part of the Body of Christ and therefore must care for one another as it were ourselves.

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Image: The Trinity, Andrei Rublev, 1411-1427. Old Katholikon of the Trinity Lavra, Sergiyev Posad, Russia.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #andreirublev #trinity #trinityicon #father #son #holyspirit #icon #icons #iconography #hospitalityofabraham

This icon is at the heart of our home chapel and is a beloved art piece that we own. While our icon is newly painted and with bright colors, this icon of the trinity is worn and old. But what is in surprisingly good condition are their faces, hands and feet. I think that this is quite powerful - the face, hands and feet of the Lord are never failing, never fading, and never changing. God will always be consistent in our lives, even if we cannot see or feel that consistency. The face of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are so gentle as they gaze at each other in love and relationship. I imagine them often sitting in heaven, taking such joy and satisfaction in their love and relationship and creation.

They gaze at us the same way because they created us in love and for love. They gaze with a deep yearning for continuous relationship with us specifically. They desire for us to be their hands and feet on this earth that they created for us. For you. A personal belief when seeing this icon, over 600 years old, is that their hands and feet are pristine because their work is still being done on this earth. We are caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, making God’s love known and experienced in the world. At the table in the icon they are serving one another and we are meant to do the same. We are a part of the Body of Christ and therefore must care for one another as it were ourselves.

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Image: The Trinity, Andrei Rublev, 1411-1427. Old Katholikon of the Trinity Lavra, Sergiyev Posad, Russia.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #andreirublev #trinity #trinityicon #father #son #holyspirit #icon #icons #iconography #hospitalityofabraham

How can you increase your devotion to Mary? How has she powerfully provided in your life?

Share a way that you honor Our Lady and stay devoted to her in the comments below!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #franciscans #evangelist #martyr #stmaximiliankolbe #stmax #painting #saints #saint #saintmax

How can you increase your devotion to Mary? How has she powerfully provided in your life?

Share a way that you honor Our Lady and stay devoted to her in the comments below!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #franciscans #evangelist #martyr #stmaximiliankolbe #stmax #painting #saints #saint #saintmax

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and Earth, refuge of sinner and most Loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy on to you. I, a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet, humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your posseession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you. If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: “She will crush your head” and “You alone have destroyed all the heresies in the world.”

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #franciscans #evangelist #martyr #stmaximiliankolbe #stmax #painting #saints #saint #saintmax

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and Earth, refuge of sinner and most Loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy on to you. I, a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet, humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your posseession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you. If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: “She will crush your head” and “You alone have destroyed all the heresies in the world.”

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #franciscans #evangelist #martyr #stmaximiliankolbe #stmax #painting #saints #saint #saintmax

St. Maximilian Kolbe is one of the only male saints that I really feel a connection to. Growing up with sisters, I never really had many male friends or those that I felt were brothers to me. It was not until college where I encountered authentic Catholic community that I started to understand the brother-sister relationship in its beauty and fullness. I was recently listening to a podcast about our innate brother/sister identity and relationship with those around us. The podcaster mentioned that he grew up with brothers and he only started to understand the brother/sister relationship when he became friends with a female saint. This really clicked with me, that St. Max is my brother. He has chased after me, protected me, and urged me to become more like Christ. His example and intercession in my life is incredibly strong and when I talk to him, I feel closer to God.

Good siblings with protect, love, and lead you with a fierceness like no other. When I think of the love of a brother, I think of someone giving me a big bear hug. The warmth, protection, and envelopment of love is a place where you can be confident in your own strength and the greatness of your brother. St. Max really does this for me by the witness of his own love for God and Mary and his willingness to lay down his life for those around him.

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Image: St. Maximilian Kolbe: Franciscan, Evangelist, Martyr, Brother Felix Sztyk O.F.M. Conv. National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Marytown, Illinois.
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #franciscans #evangelist #martyr #stmaximiliankolbe #stmax #painting #saints #saint #saintmax

St. Maximilian Kolbe is one of the only male saints that I really feel a connection to. Growing up with sisters, I never really had many male friends or those that I felt were brothers to me. It was not until college where I encountered authentic Catholic community that I started to understand the brother-sister relationship in its beauty and fullness. I was recently listening to a podcast about our innate brother/sister identity and relationship with those around us. The podcaster mentioned that he grew up with brothers and he only started to understand the brother/sister relationship when he became friends with a female saint. This really clicked with me, that St. Max is my brother. He has chased after me, protected me, and urged me to become more like Christ. His example and intercession in my life is incredibly strong and when I talk to him, I feel closer to God.

Good siblings with protect, love, and lead you with a fierceness like no other. When I think of the love of a brother, I think of someone giving me a big bear hug. The warmth, protection, and envelopment of love is a place where you can be confident in your own strength and the greatness of your brother. St. Max really does this for me by the witness of his own love for God and Mary and his willingness to lay down his life for those around him.

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Image: St. Maximilian Kolbe: Franciscan, Evangelist, Martyr, Brother Felix Sztyk O.F.M. Conv. National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Marytown, Illinois.
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #religious #franciscans #evangelist #martyr #stmaximiliankolbe #stmax #painting #saints #saint #saintmax

Is there a longtime prayer that you have been asking the Lord to fulfill? How has He shown His presence and care for you in this time of waiting?

May this blog post help you to ponder your own waiting along with the waiting of Joachim and Anne.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #giotto #renaissance #joachimandanne #saints #grandparents #longlivedfaith #patientwaiting #waiting

Is there a longtime prayer that you have been asking the Lord to fulfill? How has He shown His presence and care for you in this time of waiting?

May this blog post help you to ponder your own waiting along with the waiting of Joachim and Anne.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #giotto #renaissance #joachimandanne #saints #grandparents #longlivedfaith #patientwaiting #waiting

Father, please have mercy on us in our distress. Sit with us in our struggles and pain and show us how we can bear our crosses like your Son did. Help us to see the ways that you answer our prayers and fulfill our desires. May we respond to your gifts in a way that brings us closer to you and more in line with your teaching. Restore in us the hope that you have good things for us and you are always in control.

St. Joachim and Anne, pray for us!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #giotto #renaissance #joachimandanne #saints #grandparents #longlivedfaith #patientwaiting #waiting

Father, please have mercy on us in our distress. Sit with us in our struggles and pain and show us how we can bear our crosses like your Son did. Help us to see the ways that you answer our prayers and fulfill our desires. May we respond to your gifts in a way that brings us closer to you and more in line with your teaching. Restore in us the hope that you have good things for us and you are always in control.

St. Joachim and Anne, pray for us!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #giotto #renaissance #joachimandanne #saints #grandparents #longlivedfaith #patientwaiting #waiting

Their meeting at the Golden Gate of Jerusalem is also known as the Gate of Mercy. How beautiful that this is where they meet after they have received the great news from God that they will conceive a child. It is God’s mercy that gives them the gift of their child, Mary, who will be the greatest woman to ever live. The Mother of God was first a child, small and created in the womb. It was divine plan and intention that did not let even the Mother of God’s conception be overlooked. Joachim and Anne looked to the Lord for comfort in their distress and their struggle, instead of trying to fix it themselves.

I often try to reject my distress and struggle, trying to fix it myself. This denies God the great gift of exercising His power, dominion and mercy in my life. He does not desire for us to take on our crosses alone, He wants to take it on with us. His mercy is ever flowing and ever present, waiting for us to receive it as His good news. This gate also reminds me of how Mary will be called the gate of heaven, as she holds God within her and brings Christ in the world. She is the gate that allows God to become man in her womb, an act of mercy for all of humanity.

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Image: Meeting at the Golden Gate, Giotto, 1304-06. Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua, Italy.
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #giotto #renaissance #joachimandanne #saints #grandparents #longlivedfaith #patientwaiting #waiting

Their meeting at the Golden Gate of Jerusalem is also known as the Gate of Mercy. How beautiful that this is where they meet after they have received the great news from God that they will conceive a child. It is God’s mercy that gives them the gift of their child, Mary, who will be the greatest woman to ever live. The Mother of God was first a child, small and created in the womb. It was divine plan and intention that did not let even the Mother of God’s conception be overlooked. Joachim and Anne looked to the Lord for comfort in their distress and their struggle, instead of trying to fix it themselves.

I often try to reject my distress and struggle, trying to fix it myself. This denies God the great gift of exercising His power, dominion and mercy in my life. He does not desire for us to take on our crosses alone, He wants to take it on with us. His mercy is ever flowing and ever present, waiting for us to receive it as His good news. This gate also reminds me of how Mary will be called the gate of heaven, as she holds God within her and brings Christ in the world. She is the gate that allows God to become man in her womb, an act of mercy for all of humanity.

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Image: Meeting at the Golden Gate, Giotto, 1304-06. Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua, Italy.
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #giotto #renaissance #joachimandanne #saints #grandparents #longlivedfaith #patientwaiting #waiting

What is weighing on your heart right now? How can you remember Christ’s Resurrection in that situation?

Who or what reminds you of the Lord’s mercy and loving presence?

Jump over to the blog to pray with this image more intimately.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #marymagdalene #penitentmagdalene #artemisiagentileschi #womenartists #baroque #forgiveness #conversion

What is weighing on your heart right now? How can you remember Christ’s Resurrection in that situation?

Who or what reminds you of the Lord’s mercy and loving presence?

Jump over to the blog to pray with this image more intimately.

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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #marymagdalene #penitentmagdalene #artemisiagentileschi #womenartists #baroque #forgiveness #conversion

Lord, I desire to pour out the greatest of my gifts and goods for you. Grant me the opportunity to serve you and others in the way that you desire. Help to me see my sins as harming you and assist me in turning my back against the darkness. Show me your forgiving and loving kindness so that I may learn virtue and goodness and turn away from my sin and vices. Mother Mary, comfort us in the grief of our sins and lead us in the way of grace.

St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #marymagdalene #penitentmagdalene #artemisiagentileschi #womenartists #baroque #forgiveness #conversion

Lord, I desire to pour out the greatest of my gifts and goods for you. Grant me the opportunity to serve you and others in the way that you desire. Help to me see my sins as harming you and assist me in turning my back against the darkness. Show me your forgiving and loving kindness so that I may learn virtue and goodness and turn away from my sin and vices. Mother Mary, comfort us in the grief of our sins and lead us in the way of grace.

St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us!
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#beauty #sacredart #art #adportacaeli #catholic #catholiclifestyle #prayer #faith #truegoodandbeautiful #catholicart #catholicconvert #arthistory #marymagdalene #penitentmagdalene #artemisiagentileschi #womenartists #baroque #forgiveness #conversion

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