Christian Art

There is a remarkable Catholic project that I stumbled upon: Christian.art. It has been curated by a former auctioneer at Sotheby’s and features a Christian artwork every day with a corresponding Gospel and reflection on it. The meditations are short and simple and help one with more immersive prayer as well as being educational. The artworks are extremely varied regarding era and medium. Today’s reflection on loneliness features a sculpture by Alessandro Algardi:

A Stopped Clock

Following my great disappointment when Pope Benedict XVI resigned from the papacy, I was quite determined to be open-minded about Pope Francis. I knew he was not traditional, but I was certain that he would have some qualities to recommend him. My mindset has significantly changed since July 16, 2021. Pope Francis made it abundantly clear how much he dislikes Tradition and Traditional Catholics in his Motu Proprio Traditionis Costodes, which significantly limits the Latin Mass and I have rather decided to move on.

I haven’t exactly been rejoicing at the opportunity to pray for the Pope’s intentions since then in my morning offering which I pray along with from my Amen app. However, “even a stopped clock is right twice a day.” This month the official intentions of the Holy Father are for: “People Who Suffer from Depression – We pray that people who suffer from depression or burn-out will find support and a light that opens them up to life.” Surely, we can all get behind this!

Here is the Morning Offering which I grew up with at school:

O Jesus, 
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 
I offer You my prayers, works, 
joys and sufferings
of this day for all the intentions
of Your Sacred Heart, 
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
throughout the world, 
in reparation for my sins, 
for the intentions of all my relatives and friends, 
and in particular
for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Amen.