Many of us appreciate art. With its reliance on beauty, art can convey a message that other media cannot match. For this reason art has played a major role in the history of the church. The famous Vatican Museum in Rome has gathered together some of the great art produced over the ages, especially paintings by some of the great masters. Do any of us have a favorite kind of art, or, an art piece that depicts a certain religious scene or scenario? Would it correspond to what are undoubtedly the favorite religious scenarios that have attracted the attention of artists down the centuries? Surely two of these favorites are The Crucifixion scene, and the Madonna and Child. Which of these two, in your estimation, has captured the most artistic attention? And which is your favorite? Why might that be so?
We are a community of laymen and laywomen who, with vowed Passionists, seek to share in the charism of St. Paul of the Cross through prayer, ongoing spiritual formation, and proclamation of the message of Christ Crucified.
I personally am moved more by the Madonna and Child. I know that as Passionists we’re suppose to have an affinity for Jesus’s Passion and death as it leads to life, but truth be told, I’m moved more by the love between mother and child.