Encounter the Catholic Imaginative Vision as it is incarnated in works of art, architecture, and literature, as well as in the artists and intellectuals who have given it further expression. With one post per week, explore the expression of the Church across times and cultures.
The Irish island of Skellig Michael provided a remote and penitential setting for an ancient monastic community that sought a life of solitude, prayer, and self-sacrifice.
Home to the relics of the Magi, the Cologne Cathedral - whose construction lasted for 632 years - has drawn pilgrims since its cornerstone was placed in 1248.
In the eighth chapter of "Letters to a Young Catholic," Weigel explores the masterfully decorated Sistine Chapel, which shows forth the grand drama of salvation history and threatens to pull back the veil of the spiritual realm.
Caravaggio pulls back the curtain separating the visible and invisible, revealing that St. Matthew's death is not his final defeat but rather his ultimate victory.
Giotto's "Miracle of the Crucifix" captures the intimate moment of St. Francis of Assisi's vocational call before the crucifix of San Damiano Chapel.
Covered in nearly 65,000 square feet of glass mosaics, the interior of the Cathedral of Monreale immerses pilgrims in the story of the Bible in dazzling gold.
The Rotunda of Mosta, which is located in a small town in the heart of Malta and boasts one of the world's largest unsupported domes, was constructed largely by local volunteers.
In the seventh chapter of "Letters to a Young Catholic," Weigel explores Castle Howard in Yorkshire, England, to reflect upon the choice offered to us all: submit to reality or fly into fantasy.
The Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre has played a central role in the spirit of Cuba, and her image is to be found everywhere, in churches, homes, and even on taxis.
The Basilica of St. Augustine in Rome houses numerous treasures for pilgrims, including two that focus on motherhood: the tomb of St. Monica and the marble "Madonna del Parto."
The staircase at Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, constructed by a mysterious carpenter some claim to have been St. Joseph himself, serves as a visible reminder of God's constant presence.