Catholic Art, Iconography, Jesus Christ, Mary, Orthodox Art, Roman Catholic, Sacred Art Guild, Sacred Images, The Blessed Virgin Mary1 Comment

The Triumph of the Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows by Jed Gibbons

Deacon Paul O. Iacono

Today we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation – or Triumph – of the Holy Cross. The early Catholic Church was intensely persecuted during the first 280 years of its life – so the symbol of the Cross – the symbol of public humiliation and excruciating death – was rarely used in our Christian iconography. But this doesn’t mean that the early Christians were reluctant to express their devotion to the Cross. Writing in the year 204, the Christian theologian Tertullian said: “At every going in and out, when we put on our clothes, when we sit at table, in … Continue reading The Triumph of the Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows by Jed Gibbons

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David Clayton, Needle Arts, Music, and the Creation of Beauty

Deacon Paul O. Iacono

My wife Jackie and I had the pleasure to meet Mr. David Clayton, artist-in-residence at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in Merrimack, NH at a lecture he gave this week in New Hampshire. David is a fine artist, teacher, and creator of The Way of Beauty blog and program at the College. He posted comments on 9/9/11 on the connection and application of artistic traditions within the American experience. His blog was posted on The New Liturgical Movement’s website and is attached here: www.newliturgicalmovement.org. David has a quality to his artistic perception that needs to be mentioned as valuable for all … Continue reading David Clayton, Needle Arts, Music, and the Creation of Beauty

Catholic Art, Gospel Reflections, Mary, Roman Catholic, Sacred Art Guild, Sacred Iconography, Sacred Images1 Comment

The Birth of Mary – The Pure Disciple Who Shows Us the Way

Deacon Paul O. Iacono

We cannot allow this day, September 8th, to slip by without celebrating the nativity of  our Blessed Mother. For as the Invitatory in the Roman Breviary says for today’s feast: “Come, let us celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary, let us worship her Son, Christ the Lord.” It is right, and proper, and good that we do this. Inspired by divine Wisdom, the Holy Church of Jesus Christ, has through the years been fractured, tempted, and bruised by the assaults of Satan. Yet, in this feast we remember that we are saved, that Satan, ultimately, has been defeated by … Continue reading The Birth of Mary – The Pure Disciple Who Shows Us the Way

Catholic Art, Iconography, Orthodox Art, Sacred Art Guild, Sacred Iconography, Sacred Iconography Guild, Sacred Images1 Comment

Sacred Iconography and Personal Creativity – Do Not be Afraid!

Deacon Paul O. Iacono

What is iconography? The Sacred Iconography Guild is one of the twelve Sacred Arts Guilds that is sponsored by the Fra Angelico Institute. As of this post we have six members of this Guild who have expressed interest in learning this particular artistic tradition of the Church. Unfortunately, many people in the 21st century do not know the traditions of the Western (Latin, that is the Roman and affiliated rites of the Church) or the Eastern (Orthodox, that is the Coptic, Greek, Russian, and other Middle Eastern Rites) of Christ’s Church. All of these Rites have beautiful liturgies, the Sacraments … Continue reading Sacred Iconography and Personal Creativity – Do Not be Afraid!

Catholic Art, Fra Angelico's Paintings, Gospel Reflections, Iconography, Mary, Orthodox Art, Sacred Iconography, Sacred Images, The Blessed Virgin Mary, The Coronation of Mary, The Queenship of Mary, Uncategorized4 Comments

The Eternal Now and the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Deacon Paul O. Iacono

Today is the memorial of the Coronation of our Blessed Mother. Sacred icons and images have expressed the Queenship and Coronation of the Holy Theotokos – the Mother of God – for at least 1500 years. The icon The Virgin Salus Populi Romani, a 5th century icon, displayed in the Church of Saint Mary Major in Rome, and seen below, shows the Blessed Mother dressed in typical first century Middle Eastern garb as she holds her Son who gives a blessing. This icon reputed to be a copy of one that was painted by St. Luke the evangelist who tradition states … Continue reading The Eternal Now and the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Assumption of Mary, Catholic Art, Gospel Reflections, Iconography, Mary, Orthodox Art, Sacred Iconography, Sacred Images, The Blessed Virgin Mary4 Comments

The Dormition – Assumption of Mary

Deacon Paul O. Iacono

Over the past two weeks, our Sunday Gospels have stressed the truth that to be a faithful disciple of Christ we must keep our focus – in good times and bad – on Jesus. On August 15th, the solemnity of the Assumption/Dormition of Mary, the Church again directs our gaze – for in focusing on Mary we see not only our Queen – but the one true sign – the Great Sign – who points the way to her Son. Her signature was that of a perfect disciple – for she possessed the confident competence and the courageous commitment – … Continue reading The Dormition – Assumption of Mary

Catholic Art, Fra Angelico's Paintings, Sacred Art Guild, Sacred Iconography, Sacred Images8 Comments

Fra Angelico’s Beautiful Image of St. Lawrence

Deacon Paul O. Iacono

Fra Angelico painted (fresco) this image between 1447 – 1449. It is found in the Vatican. It is approximately 9 by 7 feet and portrays the deacon, St. Lawrence, distributing the Church’s monies to the poor of Rome. St. Lawrence is wearing a beautiful rose colored dalmatic A dalmatic is the outer garment that is worn over an alb, stole, and cincture.  The dalmatic represents the deacon’s service to his bishop. It is only worn during the celebration of Holy Mass. St. Lawrence was martyred on August 10, 257. If you are interested in a more detailed review of the history of St. Lawrence  please refer … Continue reading Fra Angelico’s Beautiful Image of St. Lawrence

Catholic Art, Gospel Reflections, Iconography, Orthodox Art, Sacred Art Guild, Sacred Iconography, UncategorizedLeave a comment

A Reflection on St. Matthew 14: 22-33

Deacon Paul O. Iacono

Today’s Gospel reading cuts right to the heart of the matter – and asks the question: do we have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ? St. Peter certainly came face-to-face with that question. As a commercial fisherman he knew how dangerous that storm was and that his boat and companions could easily perish in its waves. Then, suddenly, Jesus appears – walking on the water. The companions respond – “It’s a ghost!” Jesus calms them and says “Get a hold of yourselves! It is I. Do not be afraid!” Peter speaks up and says, “Lord, if it is really you, … Continue reading A Reflection on St. Matthew 14: 22-33

Catholic Art, Orthodox Art, Sacred Art Guild, Uncategorized6 Comments

What is a Sacred Arts Guild?

Deacon Paul O. Iacono

We, here at the Fra Angelico Institute for the Sacred Arts, believe that the foundation stones for this Institute are its Sacred Arts Guilds. A Sacred Arts Guild is a collection of people within a specific type of art form such as painting, sculpture, wood-carving, story writing, music, etc. The Sacred Arts Guilds are made up of those artists who are willing to come together on-line through posting and commenting with me on this blog, and when possible, in person to discuss and share their sacred art with other interested artists, and, if working in the same field, be willing … Continue reading What is a Sacred Arts Guild?

Catholic Art, Orthodox Art, Sacred Art Guild, Uncategorized4 Comments

Welcome to the Fra Angelico Institute

Deacon Paul O. Iacono

Our First Post As our first post – on August 1, 2011 – I would like to explain that the mission of the Fra Angelico Institute for the Sacred Arts is to promote the creation of Christian sacred art and unite the creative process to the artist’s personal prayer life. Over the coming months we will be discussing various topics within the sacred arts, the creation of sacred art, important sacred artists from the past and present, and the development of our personal prayer life in union with our personal creative efforts. The Fra Angelico Institute for the Sacred Arts … Continue reading Welcome to the Fra Angelico Institute