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How Can Art Inspire Faith?
Did you know that the famous painting The Incredulity of St. Thomas reflects the struggle of Catholics during the time of the Protestant Reformation?
We’ve all heard the nickname “Doubting Thomas,” which is usually given to someone who is overly skeptical. This nickname comes from the Gospel of John. St. Thomas, absent from Jesus’ first post-Resurrection appearance to the Apostles, refused to believe that Jesus had really risen from the dead. He demanded to physically see and touch Jesus’ wounds as proof that it was He.
Caravaggio’s The Incredulity of St. Thomas, painted around 1600, portrays this intimate experience of St. Thomas placing his finger deep into Jesus’ side wound.
This painting came into the public eye in the midst of the Protestant Reformation. During this religious and cultural revolution, many people in Europe doubted the Catholic Church and its validity as the True Church founded by Jesus Christ.
In her book How Catholic Art Saved the Faith, Elizabeth Lev discusses how this painting reflects the inner conflict of many Catholics during that time, including that of the artist. The deep shadows and darker colors in The Incredulity of St. Thomas mirror Caravaggio’s empathy with St. Thomas and his struggle to believe, especially during a period of great upheaval and confusion within Christianity at large.
Temptations of doubt and disbelief are inevitable in the spiritual life. However, these moments do not have to prevent us from growing closer to God. Our Lord shows us this when He acknowledges Thomas’s doubt and then invites him to touch His side.
In Caravaggio’s image, the finger in Jesus’ wound is painted so realistically that we almost wince if we look too closely, as though we could feel this finger in our own side. It calls to mind Jesus’ gentle rebuke to Thomas: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (John 20:28-29).
Caravaggio’s depiction of Jesus guiding Thomas’s finger into His side guides us to confront and overturn our own doubt, resolving it through humble faith and trust in Our Lord’s loving presence.
To learn more about the role of Catholic art during the Protestant Reformation, and how art can inspire your faith as well, check out Elizabeth Lev’s powerful book How Catholic Art Saved the Faith.
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What is St. Michael's Jump?
Every year, a division of army paratroopers give a special nod of recognition to St. Michael the Archangel during their intense annual training.
Nearly all branches of the United States military have a patron saint. St. Michael is the patron saint of the military at large, as well as the patron of airborne forces like the Air Force and paratrooper divisions.
Every year, in an event spearheaded by the division’s chaplains, 400 paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division come together at Fort Bragg to give tribute to their archangel patron through their annual “St. Michael’s Jump.” Their goal: to honor St. Michael by modeling his courage and zeal in flight.
This military jump provides crucial practice for real-life operations during combat. St. Michael’s protection and intercession is important to the group both in training and in the field.
Leading up to their jump day, the paratroopers participate in a “spiritual fitness event” led by their battalion chaplains, which serves as part of their qualification for St. Michael’s Jump. On the big day, the soldiers prepare their equipment and board their fighter planes near the Sicily Drop Zone, a training area in North Carolina.
Once the planes enter the training zone airspace, the paratroopers take their fearless leap! After everyone reaches the ground safely, the soldiers have a chance to gather as a group for a special devotional time, as well as spend time with their families on the drop zone.
An authentically-Christian lifestyle incorporates the Faith into everything we do. For the Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division, integrating their faith into their service includes honoring their patron saint, asking for both his spiritual intercession to shield them from spiritual warfare during combat and his protection from physical harm.
A St. Michael statue or medal can serve as a daily reminder for you to ask for this powerful archangel saint’s intercession too! Get your own St. Michael statue, rosary, medal, and more here!
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How We Cover 2000+ Years of History in Every Single Mass?
Did you know that we experience all of salvation history at every Mass? Here's why the Liturgy of the Word is so powerful.
Have you ever wondered why we read from an Old Testament book, then a Psalm, then a New Testament epistle, and a Gospel at every single Sunday Mass? Why do we follow them with a homily, the Creed, and intercessory prayer? Is it just to mix things up and keep them interesting, or is there something much greater and more intentional behind all of this?
As Catholics, we go to Mass so often that we might not think about why the Apostles and early Church Fathers set up the Mass the way they did, especially in regards to the structure of the Liturgy of the Word.
According to Christopher Carstens in his book A Devotional Journey into the Mass, in the Liturgy of the Word “we should hear…an echo of salvation history’s larger dialogue.”
During the Liturgy of the Word, we don’t just listen to the Bible while sitting, singing, or standing. Each Sunday, we actually walk through salvation history and remember the various ways in which God has communicated with His people throughout the ages.
- In the first reading from the Old Testament, God speaks to us through His message to the Chosen People, prophesying the Messiah.
- During the Responsorial Psalm, we speak to God, using the language of the Israelites.
- When we read the second reading, God speaks to us through or about Jesus.
- Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus Himself speaks to us.
Next comes the homily, in which our priest or deacon helps us apply these Scripture passages to our daily lives. Next we recite the Creed, responding to God’s call by formally declaring our faith in Him and the Church He established. Finally, in the Prayers of the Faithful, we speak to God in our own words and pray for the needs of the Church and the world.
As you can see, the Liturgy of the Word involves far more than simply “reading the Bible.” At each and every Mass, the Church presents us with a specific series of passages that help us journey through the history of salvation. We see God’s faithful love displayed over thousands of years, and we remember the hope that Christ has brought us through His life, death, and Resurrection.
Christopher Carsten’s A Devotional Journey into the Mass answers so many questions about this Holy Sacrifice that we never would have thought to ask. Carstens teaches you how to enter the sanctuary, how to prepare your heart for the Eucharist, and more questions. Get your own copy of his book to find out more here.
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Can Nuns Be Celebrities?
Have you ever heard of these famous religious sisters? Hint: you may have seen them on TV!
Who says that nuns can’t simultaneously strive for authentic holiness AND use their God-given talents in the public eye?
Sr. Cristina Scuccia
Sr. Cristina Scuccia has a talent for music. An Italian Ursuline nun, she possesses such an incredible voice that she took to the stage in 2014, winning that year’s season of The Voice: Italy. During the show’s finale, after learning that she had won, Sr. Cristina led the entire arena in the Our Father, on live television. Her victory granted her a record deal with Universal Music Group. She will continue to touch many hearts through her musical talent and her life witness.
Mother Dolores Hart when she was an actress
Before Mother Dolores Hart answered God’s call to become a nun, she was an actress. And not just any actress… In the 1957 movie Loving You, she was the first woman to kiss Elvis Presley on screen. Five years later, after nine more films and a life of Hollywood stardom, she had a deep conversion experience, which included a conversation with Pope St. John XXIII while she was filming Francis of Assisi. Dolores then stunned the world by announcing that she was leaving Hollywood to become a cloistered nun. As a Benedictine, Mother Dolores founded an open air theatre near her abbey. Over the decades, she has helped countless young people find spiritual growth through the truth-seeking beauty of the performing arts. She also remains a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, an extraordinary position to help influence culture!
And of course, we can’t forget the most seasoned TV nun of all time: Mother Angelica.
Mother Angelica
Mother Mary Angelica is best known for her regular appearances on EWTN, the Eternal Word Television Network. She joined the Poor Clares in 1944 and established Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in 1962. During that time, she hosted meetings on topics related to theology, prayer, and issues facing modern Catholics. As their popularity grew, she began to record these talks for sale.
Gradually, she expanded her creations to a radio talk show, books, and videotaping her talks, which culminated in the launch of EWTN. This Catholic television network has grown to be a top channel for believers and non-believers alike. Today it reaches over 300 million households in 145 countries around the world.
We may often think that religious sisters live uneventful lives, but these fascinating women prove this misconception false. They illustrate how we can use our talents for God’s glory, no matter our state in life. And thanks to Mother Angelica, we have a library of rich content that speaks with clarity, practicality, and humor about how to live our Catholic faith to the fullest.
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Has Mary Ever Appeared in the United States?
There was a marian apparition...in Wisconsin? It's true! Discover the story below.
Adele Brise
When young Belgian immigrant Adele Brise arrived in Wisconsin with her family, she may have expected adventure, but not to witness the first approved Marian apparition in the United States.
In October 1859, while carrying grain to a mill, 28-year-old Adele experienced her first vision near the area now called New Franken. Adele saw a woman bathed in a bright light and dressed in white, a yellow sash, and a crown of stars. Unsure and frightened, Adele prayed until the vision disappeared.
Our Lady of Good Help, as described by Adele
The following Sunday, the lady appeared again on Adele’s way to Mass. Adele immediately consulted with her priest, who advised that she should ask the woman, “In the Name of God, who are you and what do you wish of me?”
Adele saw the apparition a third time on her way home from Mass the same day, and followed the priest’s instructions. Mary told her: “I am the Queen of Heaven, who prays for the conversion of sinners, and I wish you to do the same.” Our Lady then gave Adele the mission to “gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.”
From that time onward, Adele dedicated her life to catechetical mission work. She traveled a 50-mile radius on foot to serve local families and teach children about the Catholic faith. At the site of the Marian apparition, Adele’s father built a small twelve-foot chapel, where many pilgrims visited and prayed for Our Lady’s intercession.
Twelve years after Adele first encountered the Blessed Mother, a great drought beset the Midwest. This drought caused the Peshtigo Fire, the worst recorded fire in U.S. history. As the fire approached Robinsonville, local families that Adele had served came together at the chapel grounds with their children and livestock to pray the Rosary, beseeching Our Lady to ask Jesus to save them. They prayed through the night—and while the fire destroyed the surrounding land, the chapel area and all who had gathered there remained untouched.
This became the first of many miraculous occurrences through Our Lady of Good Help’s intercession.
The National Shrine today
In 1942, a new church was constructed at the site. Devotion to Our Lady of Good Help flourished. In 2010, after much time and discernment by expert Mariologists, the Church formally pronounced Mary’s appearances to Adele as “worthy of belief.” The church constructed at the site was later designated as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, making it the first and only shrine with a Church-approved Marian apparition site in the USA.
Deepen your own devotion to Our Lady and her message of prayer and evangelization by bringing her into your home!
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What Does the Sacred Heart Symbolize?
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Do you know what the image of the Sacred heart represents?
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus dates back to the time of the Apostles. This devotion honors Jesus’ burning love for each of us and also makes reparation for the rejection, persecution, and disdain His Sacred Heart receives from the world.
The Sacred Heart is frequently depicted in Catholic art. Some depictions present the Sacred Heart alone, while others show Jesus with His Sacred Heart radiant in His chest.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
In this image, we can see various small emblems, each representing an aspect of Christ’s sacrificial love.
The first thing we notice is that Jesus’ heart is exposed, for He has poured Himself out for us and desires that we enter into His Most Loving Heart.
The crown surrounding the Sacred Heart recalls Jesus being crowned with thorns, and reminds us that He endured persecution and ridicule for us.
The fire represents the burning flame of divine love and the essence of divinity. (Remember Moses and His encounter with the bush that burned but was never consumed?). The Sacred Heart is on fire with love for mankind.
A crown rests on top of the Sacred Heart because the crown is a symbol of Jesus’ kingship. The lance-wound references John 19:33-37, when the Roman soldiers pierced Jesus’ side and blood and water flowed from the wound, which, according to the Gospel of John, “took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘Not a bone of him shall be broken’” (John 19:36). This image of blood and water is highly symbolic. It represents the Passover Lamb sacrificed for our sins to save us from death and reminds us that Jesus shed every last drop of His blood for our sake.
Now, when you honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus today, you can meditate on its profound symbolism and on Christ’s burning love for you.
Check out the Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena Prayers here, and while you’re at it, take a look at our exclusive products that honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus!
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Have you ever heard of St. Jerome's Cave in the Holy Land?
The Church of St. Catherine inspires awe in every pilgrim who visits it. And even more fascinating sites can be found underneath it!
St. Jerome was once a staunch atheist but later converted to Christianity, becoming one of the Church’s best theologians. During the 4th century A.D., St. Jerome dedicated fifteen years of his life to translating the Bible from its original Hebrew and Greek into Latin, which resulted in the Vulgate Bible, the first vernacular version of Sacred Scripture.
St. Jerome often worked on the Vulgate from his study in a cave near the Church of the Nativity in the Holy Land. In fact, we can visit the very place in which he penned these groundbreaking translations of Sacred Scripture.
The Church of St. Catherine, which rests above St. Jerome’s Cave
St. Jerome’s cave is accessible from the Church of St. Catherine, another majestic pilgrimage site in the Holy Land. From the nave of the church, steps lead down to a cave with several underground chambers. At the very end of the cave, there are the two rooms in which St. Jerome lived and worked on the Vulgate.
Interior of the Cave
The other chambers at this site are identified as the burial places of St. Jerome and his successor St. Eusebius. Two other chambers are burial sites for St. Paula and her daughter St. Eustochium, who helped St. Jerome make Bethlehem into a monastic center.
The cave also includes the Chapel of the Holy Innocents, which is believed to be the burial place of the infants who were killed by King Herod.
If you get a chance to visit the Holy Land, don’t miss the opportunity to see the historic place in which St. Jerome produced one of the best translations of Sacred Scripture.
Can’t travel to the Holy Land? A great way to bring a piece of home is to own something from the Holy Land. This Olive Wood Crucifix with Jerusalem Soil was handcrafted in the very place where Jesus once walked. It contains four windows on each point of the cross that hold little bits of earth from the Holy Land, including soil, stones, incense, and flowers. Get one for your living room, bedroom, or office here.
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Did you know that St. Benedict was nearly poisoned twice?
St. Benedict is a pwerful protector against Satan. Do you know why?
St. Benedict is one of the most popular and beloved saints of all time—and the St. Benedict medal is well known as a sacramental for spiritual protection. But do you know why St. Benedict is often called upon for protection?
As a younger man, Benedict was completely disappointed by the immorality and materialism he saw in Rome, where he had gone to study. So he left to become a hermit. While living in the mountains he developed a reputation for his holiness. Eventually, a community of monks asked him to join them as their abbott. He agreed, and all went well at first. Some of the monks grew jealous of the Saint’s holiness and became bitter toward his strict rules.
They decided to get rid of him by poisoning his wine. But St. Benedict prayed a blessing over his poisoned cup—and it instantly shattered.
On another occasion, a jealous priest tried to kill him with poisoned bread. St. Benedict again prayed over his meal and a raven swooped down and took the bread from him before he could eat it. Because of these two legends, St. Benedict is often pictured in sacred art with a chipped chalice or a raven with a piece of bread in its mouth.
St. Benedict is renowned to this day for performing miracles and resisting temptation. He is a powerful patron saint who can help guard you and your home from evil. Get your own St. Benedict medal, home blessing, and more here!
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What Happened to St. Therese's Hair?
If you ever visit Lisieux, France, make sure you visit notonly the Basilica of St. Therese, but also her home to see her most beloved treasures.
If you’ve ever had the joyful privilege of observing a cloistered nun’s “investment ceremony,” you will have seen her hair cut short as she prepares to receive her long veil. This is a sign of humility and detachment from the world as the nun commits to a life of total consecration to Christ and the salvation of souls. It’s a ceremonial hair-cutting that symbolizes the total gift of self.
When she became a Carmelite nun, St. Thérèse’s beautiful golden curls were cut.
In A History of the Church in 100 Objects, Mike and Grace Aquilina add that, in their childhood, St. Thérèse’s sisters (many of whom are also saints and servants of God) would comb and dress her hair every single day. In fact, Thérèse was so accustomed to her older sisters doing her hair that she was almost a teenager before she knew how to use a comb!
Thérèse realized her call to join the Carmelites when she was only fourteen years old. She was too young to enter and needed to seek special permission to do so. When she met with her local bishop, she pinned her hair up into a bun in an attempt to look older. It took time, but she was eventually granted special permission to enter the Carmelite order.
St. Thérèse at age fifteen
Ordinarily, a woman’s hair would be cut when she entered the monastery. However, Thérèse’s superiors believed that—since she was so young—she might decide to leave and return home, so they didn’t cut her hair.
But Thérèse was convicted of her vocation and convinced her older sister (and fellow nun) Pauline to help her cut her hair as a sacrifice for Jesus.
Thérèse’s curls have been preserved to this day. They are now displayed in her childhood bedroom at Lisieux. The little French town is a popular pilgrimage site—every Catholic who loves St. Thérèse would enjoy visiting this village!
From iconic stained glass found at cathedrals around the world to the catacomb niches in Rome, Mike and Grace Aquilina’s A History of the Church in 100 Objects introduces you to a fascinating look at our story as Catholics through beloved Church treasures. Get your copy here