526. What relationship exists between truth, beauty and sacred art? (part 1)
(Comp 526) The truth is beautiful, carrying in itself the splendour of spiritual
beauty. In addition to the expression of the truth in words there are other
complementary expressions of the truth, most specifically in the beauty of
artistic works. These are the fruit both of talents given by God and of human
effort. Sacred art by being true and beautiful should evoke and glorify the
mystery of God made visible in Christ, and lead to the adoration and love of
God, the Creator and Savior, who is the surpassing, invisible Beauty of Truth
and Love.
“In brief”
(CCC 2513) The fine arts,
but above all sacred art, "of their nature are directed toward expressing
in some way the infinite beauty of God in works made by human hands. Their
dedication to the increase of God's praise and of his glory is more complete,
the more exclusively they are devoted to turning men's minds devoutly toward
God" (SC 122).
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2500) The practice of
goodness is accompanied by spontaneous spiritual joy and moral beauty.
Likewise, truth carries with it the joy and splendor of spiritual beauty. Truth
is beautiful in itself. Truth in words, the rational expression of the
knowledge of created and uncreated reality, is necessary to man, who is endowed
with intellect. But truth can also find other complementary forms of human
expression, above all when it is a matter of evoking what is beyond words: the
depths of the human heart, the exaltations of the soul, the mystery of God.
Even before revealing himself to man in words of truth, God reveals himself to
him through the universal language of creation, the work of his Word, of his
wisdom: the order and harmony of the cosmos - which both the child and the
scientist discover - "from the greatness and beauty of created things
comes a corresponding perception of their Creator," "for the author
of beauty created them" (Wis 13:3, 5). [Wisdom] is a breath of the power
of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing
defiled gains entrance into her. For she is a reflection of eternal light, a
spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness (Wis 7:25-26).
For [wisdom] is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of
the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be superior, for it is
succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail (Wis 7:29-30).
I became enamored of her beauty (Wis 8:2).
Reflection
(CCC 2503) For this reason
bishops, personally or through delegates, should see to the promotion of sacred
art, old and new, in all its forms and, with the same religious care, remove
from the liturgy and from places of worship everything which is not in
conformity with the truth of faith and the authentic beauty of sacred art (Cf. SC 122-127). [IT CONTINUES]
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