“Every form of catechesis would do well to attend to the “way of beauty” (via pulchritudinis). Proclaiming Christ means showing that to believe in and to follow him is not only something right and true, but also something beautiful, capable of filling life with new splendour and profound joy, even in the midst of difficulties. Every expression of true beauty can thus be acknowledged as a path leading to an encounter with the Lord Jesus. This has nothing to do with fostering an aesthetic relativism which would downplay the inseparable bond between truth, goodness and beauty, but rather a renewed esteem for beauty as a means of touching the human heart and enabling the truth and goodness of the Risen Christ to radiate within it. If, as Saint Augustine says, we love only that which is beautiful, the incarnate Son, as the revelation of infinite beauty, is supremely lovable and draws us to himself with bonds of love. So a formation in the via pulchritudinis ought to be part of our effort to pass on the faith.” (167)
-Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium 167
Via Pulchritudinis
Beauty opens the soul to truth and the heart to goodness. It plays an integral part in the transmission of the Faith, because it presents the full dimension of truth: truth does not just address the mind, but attracts the heart. At Ecclesia, the arts were cultivated and given an important place in expressing the human quest for fulfillment and in helping pass along the heritage of western culture. Ecclesia was the not only informative, but inspirational!
During Ecclesia, participants benefited from:
- The opportunity to interact with and learn from professional artists who sought to inspire evangelization through beauty
- Watching and discussing various films related to our culture
- Participating in or watching a theatre production
- Being given the opportunity to participate in the choir
- Being given the opportunity to share poetry, stories, songs, and talents
- Participating in special offerings with a professional artist
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