“God will lead you to where you have to go” is one of the principal takeaways Kathy Potts offers when reflecting on her spiritually transformative, week-long iconography class taught by Jane Cardinal, a nationally recognized iconographer from Good Hart, at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Mackinaw City.
Iconography embodies the Holy Spirit and, through divine guidance, Kathy, who left the Church years ago due to some differences, was motivated to return to the Church after taking this sacred art class.
Feeling God’s Love
The reverence, spirituality, meditation and prayerful characteristics of the class were so influential to her spiritually that she is now a faithful parishioner at St. Anthony of Padua, even though it is an hour from her home.
Iconography and sacred arts illustrate an authentic spiritual truth that is rooted in beauty, which illuminates God’s divine grace.
“Iconographers write icons,” explains Jane. “They manifest God through imagery.”
Like Kathy, faithful iconographers encounter a true witness of God in a depth that speaks to one’s heart.
“Icons offer us the light and spirit of God’s world,” Kathy eloquently reflects. The light is a beauty that propels one to God’s love.
Sister Chris Herald, director of parish life at St. Anthony of Padua, who coordinates the workshop, offers a parallel perspective: “This week-long class is an opportunity for prayer, contemplation and a deepening of my relationship with the Lord.” I wish the same for other participants, she adds.
For beginning iconographers, the workshop is a new way of looking at God. There is a necessary openness and desire to move beyond viewing the artwork as merely a painting and allow God to move into your life. For Kathy, God used this class as a turning point to have her return to the Church.
As Kathy pronounces, the beautiful manifestation of God in her icon is the distinct resemblance to her biological mother and, in turn, the nurturing radiance of the Blessed Mother. Her iconography efforts work to translate the humanness of her mother into the sacredness of our Blessed Mother.
These efforts are guided by the Holy Spirit, with Father John Fischer of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Ohio, anointing participants’ hands every day during the class for the work that would be done on the icons.
Spiritually Moving Experience
Kathy’s experiences exemplify the profound influence iconography and the broader field of religious and sacred arts have on viewers. Such art is truly a spiritually moving moment, and for those who have encountered the moment, it is a witness of God’s loving presence in the viewer’s heart.
Kathy now lives out the God-bearing spirit harvested in the class in her daily life and consequently has found tranquility in surrendering to his will.
the symbolism in the process and materials
with Kathy.
Her experience goes deeper because she views herself as an instrument of God. In all of her daily engagements, she works to surrender to his will and live out her Catholic principles to be a source of inspiration for others.
“I see God in all aspects of my life, and I encourage others to do the same,” says Kathy.
“I am in God’s hands,” she attests. “I see the beauty of God in experiences I never had prior to the class.”
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