In his message for the Jubilee of Artists, which comes to a close today, Pope Francis calls artists to be ‘custodians of the Beatitudes’, embracing their vocation to create beauty, reveal truth and inspire hope in a troubled world. ‘Art is not a luxury, but a necessity of the spirit,’ he writes. ‘It is not an escape, but a responsibility, an invitation to action, a call, a cry.’
Canadian Sculptor Timothy Schmalz wholeheartedly embraces this call, bringing Jesus’ words movingly to life with works such as Homeless Jesus and Angels Unawares. He recently shared with us his insights into the deep connections between prayer, Scripture and artistic practice.
Through the years, the neo-Gothic splendour of St Mary Star of the Sea in West Melbourne has helped draw generations of Melburnians closer to God. As it celebrates its 125th anniversary today, we learn more about the rich history, unique mission and vibrant community life of this strikingly beautiful church, which was recently designated an official Pilgrim Place for the Jubilee Year.
On Friday, as Church and civic leaders from around Australia and beyond came together with the faithful at Melbourne’s Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul to celebrate Cardinal Mykola Bychok’s elevation to the ‘Sacred Purple’, Australia’s new cardinal reflected on the Beatitudes, describing them as ‘the goal of human existence, the ultimate end of human acts’, and calling on those present to embrace Christ’s teachings as a way to bring hope and peace to a world in need.
