Happy Easter!

Here is Eugene Bernand's wonderful painting of Peter and John running to the tomb on Easter morning.

Here is Fra Angelico's "Noli me tangere."

And here is the Gregorian Chant Introit for today's Mass.

Holy Saturday - The Descent into Hell

Here is Duccio's painting of Christ's Descent into Hell. Below it is an eloquent description of this event. It comes from an ancient homily that is presented each year on Holy Saturday as part of the Church's Office of Readings. (Hat tip: Universalis.com)

Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

  He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

  I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

  See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

  I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

  Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

Maundy Thursday

There are so many great pieces of art that depict Holy Thursday. A favorite of mine is Fra Angelico's Institution of the Eucharist.

There are also these great one's from Duccio's Maesta.

Notice below how Duccio incorporates two scenes into this one artwork: (1) Christ in prayer on the right, and (2) Christ returning to his sleepy Apostles.

Giotto's depiction of Christ's arrest is also too good to omit.

Lenten Art Reflection Videos from Michael Morris, OP

David Clayton of the New Liturgical Movement blog draws our attention to a video series of Lenten Art Reflections by Michael Morris, OP. Clayton also offers some excellent thoughts on the study and meditation of art and how its aim should always be a deeper participation in the liturgy.

I'm thrilled to discover this wonderful resource offered by Father Morris. Embedded below is one of the videos. But go see Father Morris's site for the rest.

Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday, when we commemorate Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The below video gives one of the Gregorian Chant Antiphons for the Palm Sunday procession. Here is the text: Hosanna filio David; benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Rex Israel: Hosanna in excelsis. (English translation: Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel. Hosanna in the highest.)

And here are some wonderful pieces of sacred art to view as you listen to the antiphon.

The first is from Giotto.

Next is from Duccio's famous Maesta.

And here's one from Pietro Lorenzetti.

The Annunciation - March 25

March 25th, nine months before Christmas, is the Solemnity of the Annunciation. This is such a pivotal event in salvation history that there are so many beautiful artistic depictions of this event. Here are a few:

1. By Bartolome Esteban Murillo (1655)

2. Fra Angelico (1434)

3. Fra Angelico (circa 1440)

4. Hans Memling (1482)

5. Giotto (from the Arena Chapel, completed 1305)

6. Leonardo da Vinci (circa 1475)

Solemnity of St. Joseph - March 19

March 19 is a great feast in the Catholic Church, the Solemnity of St. Joseph.

Artist Guido Reni has some wonderful paintings of St. Joseph with the infant Jesus. Here are two.

St. Joseph, pray for us!