“God has given us all a role to fulfill, it is for us to choose whether or not we do so.” Henry III was the Holy Roman Emperor in the middle of the 11thcentury, ruling parts of western and central Europe. His kingdom included Germany, Burgundy, Bohemia, and northern ItalyContinue Reading
What is the theme of your life? What is your world view? I was recently in an online conversation regarding Archbishop Goh’s recent statement about the upcoming concert by Madonna on her world tour stop in Singapore. It soon became apparent that the person I was trading emails with had aContinue Reading
There was a time when the Lenten fast was much more severe than it is today. We can get an idea of just how severe from observing the current traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Church. As they get closer to Easter the scope of the fast expands. By the beginningContinue Reading
The depiction of angels offers a wonderful example of the difference between Secular Art and Religious Art. I am going to concern myself here primarily with Religious Art (shocking, I know) but first let me offer a definition of the term, at least how I use it. By Religious ArtContinue Reading
On the apse wall in the basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. is a large mosaic of Christ seated in Judgment. People either love it or hate it. Some who hate it point out that the mosaic depicts a muscular, physically strong Christ. But Christ triumphed in weakness.Continue Reading
Jesus came to His “native place.” He preached to those who had known Him since childhood, His friends, neighbors, and relatives. And although they were impressed by His wisdom and eloquence still they could not get past the fact that they knew him as just the carpenter. They took offenseContinue Reading
There was a time when the Lenten fast was much more severe than it is today. We can get an idea of just how severe from observing the current traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Church. As they get closer to Easter the scope of the fast expands. By the beginningContinue Reading
In 1952 Pope Pius XII addressed a group of Italian artists he received in audience. The entire address is only 15 very short paragraphs but of great value for artists struggling in the darkness of the secular world looking for a light to guide them. The Function of Art 1.Continue Reading
Matthew Alderman is a graduate of the Notre Dame Architectueal School and a man of many gifts, architect, artist, and designer of liturgical furnishings. He is a regular contributor to “The shrine of the Holy Whapping” (yes, really!) and “The New Liturgical Movement” (for which he designed their new logo.)Continue Reading