It would be difficult to describe many of our churches today as “beautiful,” particularly if they were built in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Dan Rigali, of Daprato Rigali Studios describes that period as a kind of “dark ages” in church design.
But in the last decade or so there has been an “awakening.” Studios that specialize in creating scared art and liturgical furnishings are busier than ever. New churches are being designed that evoke the beauty and tradition of our faith and older churches that were stripped of their ornamentation are being restored.
Beauty attracts people. We have seen over and over again that beautiful churches that house a beautiful,reverential liturgy according to traditional Catholic traditions, are churches that are full, vibrant, and growing.
Daprato Rigali Studios is one of the sources featured in a recent article published at the website of the National Catholic Register, “Bringing God’s Designs Back To Life In America’s Churches.”
It is well worth the read.
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Pontifex University is an online university offering a Master’s Degree in Sacred Arts. For more information visit the website at www.pontifex.university
Lawrence Klimecki is a deacon for the diocese of Sacramento as well as a working artist, he writes on art and faith at www.DeaconLawrence.org
The Journal for Catholic Culture & Arts 