September 28, 2006
To my great surprise the other day, I heard the lyrical sounds of opera floating through our convent windows. Now, it is no rare thing to hear music playing. Usually it is so loud that you wonder with alarm if the Sister down the hall has suddenly decided to blast some rap music. But to hear an aria, this, to my recollection, was a first in musical selection. And in the midst of car alarms, horns honking, and booming bass lines, it was a breath of fresh air.
Unfortunately, our country seems to be suffering from a lack of true culture, even a lack of appreciation for great works of art. This is not just a poverty of the inner city, it is nationwide, independent of neighborhood. Obviously, as our next-door neighbor proved, there are people who love the classics. But America does market a false culture, one that depends on flash, novelty, and the ability to turn a profit. The fine arts are just not marketable, though they have considerably more depth than much of what sells as entertainment.
On the other hand, the Church has a great appreciation for true culture, for what is beautiful, as this is a means to lift man’s soul to God. From her earliest years, the Church has fostered the arts. Over many years there was a flowering of great works of Catholic music and art. We should be proud of our rich heritage, and we ought to hold on to it and pass it on to younger generations.
How can we do this? By listening, looking, and teaching. Take the time to listen to classic sacred music, to go to an art exhibit, and especially to teach your children to appreciate these masterpieces. Encourage artists to use their gifts to glorify God. (And for all artists out there, this is an encouragement to you!) And perhaps we will see another blossoming of true, beautiful, Catholic culture. Indeed, that would be a breath of fresh air for our times.
Sr. Cecilia Jesse, CFR
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