One of the highlights of my time at The Basilica of Saint Mary was joining the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums (PAVM) in the fall of 2023 for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of PAVM. The Vatican rolled out the red carpet as it appropriately thanked patrons throughout the world for their support of the Vatican Museums. There are many things I love about being Catholic – one is how important the sacred arts are in the life and mission of the Church. I think it is true that no institution has been a greater patron of the arts in the history of Western civilization than the Catholic Church. I say this not as a boast but from a place of thanksgiving to celebrate this important dimension of Catholic history and culture. The inspiration for the promotion of the arts within the Catholic Church is God’s life-giving Word and salvation history which communicate that in Jesus Christ, God is truly with us.
Fittingly, the arts are also integral to the unique mission of The Basilica of Saint Mary. I have marveled during my pastorate at the varied and beautiful ways we celebrate the arts here at The Basilica – from a Puccini opera, to the many art exhibits, to Handel’s Messiah coming again to our parish in December. The decision to welcome Luminiscence – an immersive experience of light, sound & story is consistent with the importance of arts to our community of faith at The Basilica. In the interviews that Johan and I have done with regard to the decision to welcome Luminiscence, we have emphasized its fit with our mission and culture at the parish. Some were surprised that we said yes to Luminiscence – it seemed to me that welcoming this unique experience to our parish had much more positive upside – including opening our doors to those who might not usually come to our church. I want to take this opportunity to thank my staff colleagues who have put in countless hours in preparing for and now hosting Luminiscence. I am proud of them and thankful for their tremendous commitment.
Historically, our efforts to integrate beauty into Catholic churches was theologically grounded in the fact that churches are the sacred space where we are fed by God, where we are transformed to be more like Christ, and where we experience a foretaste of the heavenly Jerusalem. The beauty that adorns Catholic churches is not meant as an end in itself but to help inspire authentic worship of God, unto God’s glory. God is the one who is the source of this beauty and gives us the gifts to create beauty. As we prepare soon for the full restoration of The Basilica interior, I look forward to worshiping with you in a church that is more beautiful and more transcendent. The commitment of significant resources to this project is consistent with our duty to be good stewards of the magnificent church that is at the heart of our parish community. Johan has often communicated that beauty saves – indeed it does – because its origin is in a God who saves. As we continue our journey of faith at The Basilica of Saint Mary, I am thankful that the sacred arts hold such an important place in our mission and culture.