Three Stories of Sacred Art Miracles

When I was a sophomore in college I read a book that profoundly changed the way I view artwork. The entire book was essentially shaped around one man’s encounter with a sacred art painting, and how taking the time to truly meditate on that painting changed his life forever.

Looking back I believe what struck me the most was realizing that with beauty, there is always more. Just like with sacred scripture, in a way, beauty is living and active, forever bearing new fruit. In other words, there’s always more to see; there’s always something new that God can speak to us through it. Although artwork is theologically different from the written word, it can still be a profound avenue to hear the voice of God, if we let it. 

Do we let ourselves be changed by the voice of God in sacred art?

A man’s life was changed forever, because he allowed the gospel to speak to him through contemplation with sacred beauty. If a singular man-made painting can allow this type of profound encounter, imagine what other, perhaps even more miraculous, pieces of sacred artwork can do for our spiritual lives.

There are several miracle stories where God chose to speak to us through artwork. In some cases the Lord has used man-made works to perform miracles and speak to humanity. In other cases God himself intervened and created the artwork himself or revealed the image. Let’s take a look at some of these stories. 

1. Our Lady of Akita, Japan

In the 1970s, a religious sister in Akita Japan was found praying underneath a wooden statue which started radiating a bright light. This sister’s name was Agnes. Agnes, a devout woman, had a cross shaped wound on her hand (sort of like a stigmata). During a time of prayer, this cross wound also appeared on the Blessed Mother statue’s hand. 

Agnes wasn’t the only one to witness the miracles associated with this piece of art. The statue at another time turned red on the hands and feet, and, most famously, later on began weeping! This statue was recorded to have wept 101 times and it was witnessed by people of various faiths.

Through the apparition of Our Lady of Akita, and the faith of Sr. Agnes, God shared warnings and messages with the world to repent of sin, cling to the rosary, and lean on our Blessed Mother. God spoke to us though sacred artwork, a wooden Marian statue, that displayed the living human nature of crying. Why does He do this? Because it’s a tangible witness to his real presence and power. It shows us his Heart and the Heart of His Mother. Because it strikes us, disturbs us, makes us uncomfortable. It puts us in a position of realizing that He is God with us. There are some things we cannot control or explain away. 

2. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico

Of all paintings in the world, all sacred art, all divine images, this is the only one that was solely created by God himself! Of course all of nature is God’s creation, but I’m talking about a painting, made by the hands of God! The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is not actually a painting; that is what makes it so fascinating. 

He is a God with a human heart. He knows we are both body and soul. Therefore, our five senses help us to have deeper and more intimate spiritual experiences (hence the Incarnation & the Eucharist!). When we can encounter miraculous artwork — something we can see, feel, make pilgrimage to, venerate, and meditate on — we are aided in spiritual intimacy with God and Our Lady. 

3. Divine Mercy, Poland

In 1930s Europe, Fascism and Totalitarianism were spreading significantly and threatening democracy, freedom, and peace across the land. God intervened with a message of mercy. How? through sacred art and chosen souls as instruments of his grace. 

Similar to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the image of Divine Mercy was divinely inspired. Although it was made by human hands, the image itself was revealed to humanity by God himself, through the prayer of a polish woman, St. Faustia. The original Divine Mercy image was painted by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski 1934. Another perhaps more famous rendition of the divine mercy image was recreated by another artist, Adolf Hyla. 

The message of Divine Mercy is one that has significantly impacted and changed the world, sending ripple effects into the present day. So much more that could be said regarding this devotion! Now, let’s simply reflect on the fact that God has chosen to speak to humanity through artwork and encounter us through beauty.

This is how our Lord chooses to show himself to us. He who healed the blind, deaf, and mute, still recognizes the importance of our human senses. Through divinely inspired art God makes himself tangible, visible, and approachable. 

How can you receive what He has for you?

In learning about these stories of sacred art miracles, maybe you ache to experience God in a way you never have before. Whether you’ve seen never seen an image of Our Lady of Akita before, had a long time devotion to the Divine Mercy, or have learned new things about the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Lord has something to invite you with each work of sacred art. How can we allow ourselves to hear God’s voice more deeply each time we behold sacred work and all things beautiful? Being in front of beauty is the first step into receiving the voice anew!

The Lord has something specific for you too to receive!

Carve out some moments to meditate with these divine images, or other beautiful works that move you. Ask the Lord for the eyes to see and the ears to hear. The more you pour into this kind of prayer, the more your heart will desire it.

Want something contemporary, rooted in tradition of the church? Find some original sacred art by Kate Capato here for a piece that speaks to your heart.

About the author –

Hanna Briley, the creator behind MangioArts, is a pyrography / multimedia artist and musician local to Chester County PA. She specializes in Catholic woodburnings, charcoal portrait commissions, and watercolor churches. She also enjoys cantering for weddings or leading worship at conferences & retreats. If you wish to view her work, purchase artwork, or commission a piece, contact her at hm*********@***il.com. Or, visit @mangioarts on instagram & Facebook or MangioArtsStore on Etsy.