Event 7th May
Communitas: Preaching and the Arts May 7th 2021
Fr. James Cortez is from the Philippines, and is studying for a Doctorate in Philosophy in the Angelicum. Fr. James reflects on the beauty of art, and the higher reality that it portrays. He explores preaching through the Visual Arts within the Church and secular communities, as well as through Social media. “Visual arts are a silent but effective instruments of preaching.”
Ms. Paloma LLadó is a student of the Angelicum, in the Professional course in Management of the Third Sector. She worked selflessly to make the Communitas Conference successful. She tells how art has been a good influence in her life from a young age. The origin of the beauty of the soul of Mother Teresa is described as: “she was from God.” She describes her experiences of two World Youth Days. Paloma had a graced experience with a community called Shalom, which attracts young people with music, an arts festival, and ‘radical sports’.
Fr. Hilario Plureh OP is priest from Myanmar, who recently came to Rome shortly after the recent military coup. He emphasizes the peace that comes from God. He laments the turmoil that is in his native land. He feels that it is important to not be silent, but to be a voice for those who have no voice. He reflects how Social media has kept him informed of the news. He also notes how Protestant churches seem to attract young people with their more contemporary music.
Ms. Olena Komisarenko is a Doctoral student of the Angelicum, faculty of Social Science from the Ukraine. She has worked selflessly as one of the leaders of the Communitas Conference. She reflects on the rich cultural history of her native country, and in particular the countries literary and cultural heritage with a focus on the life Archbishop Andrei Sheptytsky. “Sheptytsky was convinced that his contemporaries should be witnesses to the renaissance, not gaurdians of the grave.” Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky understood that “art could be a testimony to the spirituality and culture of a nation.”
Mr. Nathan Leopold is an American licentiate student in Social Sciences at the Angelicum. He speaks about Sport as an artform, and likens Michael Phelps breastroke to Michael Angelo’s brushstroke. He muses if a divine spark animates sport? In line with the Dominican tradition on preaching, he explores how sport can be a tool for preaching. Sport means committing to a community, to something greater than oneself, to excellence, and leads to exuberant joy – all values deeply related to the faith.
Sr. Arcelia Hernandez is a religious of the Franciscan Missionary Volunteers of the Poor, originally from Mexico. She maintains that art helps one to delve into the mysteries of God, and to evangelize, for example, the Vatican Museums. She also expresses her musical memories as a violinist, and member of a choir, and in the Liturgy. ‘When art is well loved, it will be a companion on our journey and a good fruit for the Church, in the present and future.’
Fr. Dominic White OP, was the keynote speaker of the day, not by accident. He covers his topic with the rare combination of a light touch, and a profundity, that provides inspiration for the beginner, as well as the more advanced theologian/artist. St. Thomas’ teaching is engaged in a thought provoking, and nuanced way. Fr. Dominic believes that ‘Aquinas treatment of the passive, or receptive, intellect, … provides a strong basis for re-integrating the experience of art into the work of metaphysics, which prepares the ground for the work of Christian Theology.’ Fr. Dominic draws from a rich variety of sources, sacred and secular. He finishes with a plan not just to move forward, but to flourish with the ‘Seven Pillars for a Theology of the Arts’. Sr. Catherine expertly moderated the session, and Fr. Dominic displayed his mastery of the subject matter, by the flair with which he responded to the questions.
Fr. Michael Dunleavy OP did research, and further study on the Dominican Renaissance artist Fra. Angelico, when he lived at the Dominican Priory of San Domenico di Fiesole, which is the place where Fra Angelico first entered the Dominican Order in 1420. Fr. Michael has also just completed a doctoral dissertation on Fra Angelico. The above educational qualifications and experience give him a unique insight, to respond to both of our speakers on the topic of Fra Angelico. The speakers Sr. Catherine Rendu OP, and Dr. Kinga Araya were graciously acknowledged for their enlightening presentations focusing on the themes of the Annunciation, and the Crucifixion in the works of Fra. Angelico. Fr. Michael noted how Sr. Catherine emphasised that in Florence, the civil and religious calendar officially began on the Feast of the Annunciation. While Dr. Kinga explained that, “The figure of Christ was always at the centre of Fra Angelico’s theological programmes.’ Fr. Michael relates that Fra Angelico was not only a great artist of the Florentine Renaissance, but also a wonderful Dominican preacher! It is recounted of Fra Angelico that he often reiterated, “He who does the things of Christ must always be with Christ.” Fr. Michael then gives a historical context to the life and times Fra Angelico.
By Mark William Thomas O’ Farrell,
Seminarian,
Waterford and Lismore Diocese,
Ireland.