“I never prayed that way before… It felt very personal and intimate… It left me feeling so much better than when I first came in. God really does shine through the beauty of art!”

At the start of January, I had the gift of speaking to Catholic college students about sacred beauty, and how God communicates Himself through art, stillness, and our senses. Students had the chance to hear stellar talks, gather in prayer, and meet religious orders all around the country. In our session together, we talked about the power of art to communicate truth, and the quiet ache within our hearts for beauty.

For many students, this was the first time they ever encountered sacred art in such a personal way. They had the opportunity to sit in stillness and pray, and even come by our table throughout the conference to get even closer to to the art. What unfolded that week was beautiful to witness.

A Healing Encounter with The Woman

I noticed one young woman lingering in our pop-up gallery. In the sea of Catholic college students passing by, I sensed that something about the art was stirring for her. I invited her to sit before the art and spend time with the Lord for a few moments. We had prayerful music playing, and several original works of sacred art. After a few minutes, I asked her which piece of art was speaking to her. She looked emotional, and said she was impacted the most by The Woman. I had the sense that the Lord had encountered her in a new way through this work of art.

Like Nothing I’ve Heard Before

This week spent with Catholic college students reminded me that when we slow down in the presence of beauty, root ourselves in the Church’s tradition, daily encounters with beauty become opportunities for grace. Through experiencing sacred art, students were able to recognize something they didn’t know they were missing: reverence, stillness, and belonging.

After the talk, Katie told me: “I loved hearing how beautiful art, music, & nature can help lift some of the weight of this world and point us to God!“

During the talk, I invited students not just to look at sacred art, but to let it impact them, to notice what stirred, what resisted, what softened. For some, it was the first time they realized that beauty could be a form of prayer.

One student reflected: “I never prayed that way before, but I loved the art depicted. It felt very personal and intimate. It was uplifting and calming to pray with art. Truly a beautiful experience that left me feeling so much better than when I first came in. God really does shine through the beauty of art.“

These moments matter. They plant seeds that continue growing long after the talk ends. They become prayer, discernment, healing, and renewed trust in the Church.

Why This Matters on Catholic Campuses Right Now

Young Catholics are searching for faith experiences that are rooted in truth and tradition. They desire personal encounter and have a particular sensitivity to goodness. Gillian spoke to this exact truth: “The ability to pray with sacred art was an experience I’ve never had before. Being surrounded by the physical beauty of the church has always drawn me closer to the Lord but it’s never been something I did intentionally. Art has a pull to our soul and directing that pull back to the Lord is truly beautiful.”

Sacred beauty bridges all of these. The world is in deep need for ways to authentically encounter beauty! As another student put it: “I left equipped to engage with beauty in a more meaningful way. Thank you!”

Bringing Sacred Beauty to Your Community or Campus

Our Sacred Beauty events are designed with transformation in mind. With each talk and invitation to prayer, we strive to:

• Meet hearts where they are
• Invite authentic reflection and stillness
• Reawaken wonder and sensitivity
• Make space for God to speak

If you’re a campus minister, chaplain, or faculty member looking to offer your Catholic college students an encounter with beauty that leads them closer to truth, goodness, and God, I’d love to explore bringing this experience to your campus. You can learn more about our offerings here or reach out directly!

“Beauty and goodness is something the world needs right now!”

What else are students saying?

• “This was one of my favorite experiences ever! I was taught as a child about sacred art and symbolism, but I was introduced to this in an entirely new way that was so good and beautiful! I never knew how to pray with art like this and I will definitely be praying like this more often.” – Anonymous
• “The painting Yeshua really spoke to me. It is freeing to just be in His gaze!” – Jenna
• “The woman at the well stood out to me because of the hesitation in her eyes when Jesus came up to her. I’ve been feeling hesitation in prayer a lot recently and this gave me the push to pray with it through visio divina.” – Maggie
• “The painting of Jesus holding the baby made me tear up. It made me realize that I’m not alone, and all the hardships and struggles that I am facing, I am not alone because I have Jesus Christ guiding me through them.” – Anonymous

Did you attend SEEK? Or have you been to one of our events? Feel free to share your experience in the comments below!