Book helps readers rekindle Eucharistic amazement with the beauty of sacred art

On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi, the National Eucharistic Revival began a Year of Parish Revival. A new book titled, "Way of Beauty: Rekindling Eucharistic Amazement through Visio Divina," by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D., is a timely resource to aid parish groups to participate more fully in the parish phase of this national initiative.

The beautifully rendered book introduces readers to visio divina, or “holy seeing,” a form of contemplative prayer using sacred art based on the ancient monastic practice of lectio divina, or “holy reading” of Scripture. The practice of visio divina is offered to help guide one to a deeper and ongoing conversion of life through the Eucharist.

"Way of Beauty" makes this spiritual practice even more accessible as it provides 12 beautiful works of sacred art, along with prayers from the Mass, sections from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and additional prayers which have been carefully curated by its author, Sullivan, associate professor in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America. The intent is to help the reader develop a deeper appreciation for the sacrifice of the Mass, support active participation in the Mass, and ultimately deepen desire for union with the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist.

While "Way of Beauty" is a paperback book of only 83 pages, it is much more than a formula for praying with art. The sacred art is beautifully rendered and there are many insets showing important details of masterpieces which most readers will probably be seeing for the first time. I read this book through the lens of a catechist, and after reading it, I felt as if I had been shown how to conduct a mystagogy (an initiation into the mysteries of the sacraments) through sacred art. This was made possible because Sullivan graciously guides one to “read” a work of sacred art, that is, learn what to look for and what it means in relation to Scripture and the Mass.

In one example, the author begins her guide through Bartolomè Esteban Murillo’s The Parable of the Prodigal Son (c. 1667 – 1670, National Gallery of Art) with a brief catechesis on the parable portrayed and how Jesus used various details in the story to invite us into the mystery of God’s love. Without abandoning her voice as a catechist, she then transitions to the role of docent, guiding the reader’s eyes around the painting, explaining how the artist uses light, lines, color, and composition to tell the story. Near the end of her tour of the painting, she makes the connection between the parable, the painting, and our participation in the Mass writing, “As he did during his earthly life and at the Last Supper, Jesus has continued to eat and drink with sinners in every age of the Church, even today. When we accept his invitation to the sacred feast of his Body and Blood, we who are sinners begin our participation in the Eucharist by acknowledging our sinfulness. Asking the prayers of Mary, Mother of God, the angels, the saints, and our brothers and sisters, we pray, ‘I confess to Almighty God . . .’”

Not only does "Way of Beauty" guide the reader to understand and participate more fully in the Mass, the images in this beautiful book also helped me to see what the kerygma, the core Gospel message, looks like through the selected masterpieces. These paintings bring to life in color, line, and movement the kerygma, summed up by Pope Francis in these words: “Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 164).

"Way of Beauty" is an excellent pastoral resource for those seeking a way to pray using visio divina and for catechists (especially high school, OCIA, and adult faith formation) looking for new ways to accompany others as they discover the spiritual riches of the holy sacrifice of the Mass and the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This book is an ideal companion for anyone seeking to rekindle amazement at the supreme gift and mystery of the Eucharist.

Ed McNamee holds a Master of Catechesis from The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC., and serves as Parish Catechetical Leader at the Church of Francis de Sales in Mathews, Virginia.