Cultivating the Hearts of our Children

How do we form children with a love for the beauty? How is the cultural landscape changing to prioritize beauty, and why do our churches need a Catholic Renaissance?

We are so excited to share this excerpt from the Votive Podcast from Word on Fire, an exploration of art and literature that sparks the imagination. We hope you enjoy this engaging conversation between Kate Capato, Catholic sacred artist, and host Haley Stewart, author, children’s book editor for Word on Fire, and Mom of four.

Listen to the full episode all about Haley and Kate’s childhood encounters with beauty on Word on Fire or Apple Podcasts!

A Catholic Renaissance

Hailey: One thing I noticed is a phrase that you use, “A Catholic renaissance of art.” I’d love to start by asking, what was the landscape in the Catholic world that meant we need this renaissance of sacred art and renaissance of beauty, and appreciation of beauty? What was the landscape that set us up for this need? 

Kate: Great question, many things! Many who are listening might be able to attest to this in their own parishes, but we have many churches that are either just empty of beauty or unfortunately ugly, right? The era of the sixties, seventies, eighties, where churches were largely ugly and without beauty. A lot of it had to do with history of iconoclasm and a fear of icons. As Americans, we are heavily influenced by Protestantism. This is not meant against our Protestant brothers and sisters, but there’s a misunderstanding of sacred art in much of Protestant culture. And a fear spread that infiltrated our Catholic churches. 

We Don’t Know What We’re Missing

Kate: We have these mysteries that you can’t just comprehend in one sitting of reading the Bible. There’s something that a sacred painting or a sculpture, or even ornate design, that can awaken our hearts towards, and we need that.

I felt the ache to be a part of this new Catholic Renaissance when I saw the lack of beauty in many of our churches here in the States. I felt like the Lord created some extra sensitivity in my own heart to be aware of that. 

I didn’t know all of this as a young person, but I knew there was something missing and I wanted to help bring it back. It wasn’t until I encountered a school in Italy particularly focused on sacred art where the Lord slowly unfolded my calling. I just that ache to be able to see and experience the Lord through the senses. It’s a great way to live in and share our Catholic faith. 

Beauty for the Child’s Heart

Haley: That’s such a beautiful mission. I think that most Catholics who have visited a few parishes and seen a few churches, they’re definitely going to know exactly what you’re talking about as far as the lack of beauty in a lot of our architecture in the states. The parish that’s connected to the Catholic school that my daughters go to, I think it was built in the seventies. And it looks like a bomb shelter. I mean, it’s distractingly unattractive, you know? And it really bothers me because this is where the school Masses are. And that’s what the children are being presented with, and it just kind of breaks my heart, you know?

Beauty takes your breath away

Haley: Just the experience of taking my children into a beautiful cathedral and hearing them literally gasp as they walk in. Just the how grand it is, how beautiful it is. They’re trying to decide where to look first because there’s just so much beauty to take in and that’s such a gift.

I think sometimes as a parent, I’m so focused on forming the next generation. Its hard to remember that I also really need that beauty! I need to be able to be in a space and be aware this is a sacred space… this is set apart… this is special!

Want to hear the rest of the conversation?

Head over to the full episode to hear Haley and Kate cover more topics, like:

• Why we need a Catholic Renaissance
• Kate’s favorite childhood book
• How Haley and Kate connected with God in their childhood
• The common problems with nurturing young hearts in beauty + what to do about it
• The role of the transcendentals
• Why we have hope that the culture is awakening to beauty

Talked about in this episode:

• See the art that first took Haley’s breath away: The One who gave Myrrh (available in the shop)
• Explore Kate and Pawel’s mission to bring beauty to parishes and schools at www.visualgrace.com/witness
• Learn more about Kate’s favorite childhood saint, St. Rose of Lima, here!
• Check out the Italian Landscape Kate created while living in Italy that inspired her journey in beauty

Editor’s note: This excerpt has been edited for clarity and readability. Listen to the full conversation for further context and details of delighting in moss and snowflakes!