tradition in the Church, the full-size version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church includes sacred images from different periods of the Church’s history as an integral part of its presentation of the faith. Why are sacred images so important to the Church? Perhaps it’s because, in a certain sense, the very nature of art is Christian. Here’s what Imean: Our faith is about the Word become flesh in Jesus Christ, and sacred images are, in a way, the Word become flesh in sacred art. As such “enfleshed Word,” sacred art can move the heart to an experience of Christ in a way that words cannot always do. For example, it’s one thing to simply hear that Jesus died for our sins yet quite another to behold him bruised, bloodied, and broken on a handcrafted crucifix. Because of this uncanny power of art, the Church has been the patron of some of the greatest artistic masterpieces in the world, from the stunning mosaics of ancient churches to the fantastic frescos of the Sistine Chapel. Now, one area of Christian art that’s particularly important, though not as prevalent in the Western Church as in the Eastern, is the religious art form known as iconography or the “writing” (painting) of icons. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, holy men and women write icons to communicate grace and provide “windows” into the mysteries of the faith. In other words, as the viewer prayerfully peers into Excerpt from Divine Mercy Image Explained. Click here to order
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