In his newly released book “Meditations on Vatican Art,” author Legionary Father Mark Haydu encourages readers to experience masterpieces from the Vatican art collection in a meditative and prayerful way.
“People need and want beauty, they’re starved for it,” Father Haydu told the Denver Catholic Register Nov. 16 while at St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial during a stop on his U.S. book tour. “On a moral level beauty is holiness, so they’re starved for interior peace. On an aesthetics level, they’re starved for harmony, beauty and transcendence.”
“Meditations on Vatican Art”—which quickly sold out 500 copies at the Centennial signing—is a 216-page, full-color hardcover collection of works thoughtfully selected from the 300,000 pieces contained in the 12 Vatican Museums. It includes pieces by masters such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, Cano and Pinturicchio. Each is paired with reflections based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, scriptural meditations, history and contextual notes help readers understand the artist’s perspective and meaning, and questions for reflection.
“It’s enough art to put you in the context, learn something new, and increase your cultural background,” the priest said. “And just what you need as a platform to go into the message of the art and have a spiritual experience.”
The book is available at www.liguori.org, on Amazon or in Catholic bookstores. For more information, visit www.VaticanArt.org. For the full version of this story, read the Nov. 20 Denver Catholic Register.
“Meditations on Vatican Art”
Author: Father Mark Haydu, L.C.
Publisher: Ligouri Publications, 216 pages
Price: $29.99
Purchase: www.liguori.org, Amazon, Catholic bookstores
More information: www.VaticanArt.org
