The Beauty of Holiness and the Holiness of Beauty: Art, Sanctity, and the Truth of Catholicism [Paperback]

John Saward (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997

This book is a unique meditation on the beauty of Christ and His saints and centers on several works of art by Fra Angelico. Saward has written a book not on art history but on the spendor of Catholic truth. Beauty is the splendor of truth.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898706327
• ISBN-13: 978-0898706321
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #439,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Wonder!, March 15, 2000

By 

M. Floria (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Beauty of Holiness and the Holiness of Beauty: Art, Sanctity, and the Truth of Catholicism (Paperback)

This book is so rich, I felt spoiled to have read it. I boughtit because the reviews were so good, and I'm really glad I did. If youwonder what art has to do with spirituality, this book will carefully reveal it to you. It provides a wealth of information - each premise is carefully documented and supported. It ties together the experience and profundity of art (in worship, in creating art, etc.) with holiness. It was written from a Catholic perspective, but the rich traditions and thought underlying the message are for all Christians. What joyful reading... END

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent and Inspiring, May 7, 2001

By 

Nicholas A. Zientarski (Silver Spring MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Beauty of Holiness and the Holiness of Beauty: Art, Sanctity, and the Truth of Catholicism (Paperback)

Every once in a while you read a book that inspires you from cover to cover. I couldn't put this book down because it was so well done and leads you on to reflect on the beauty of the Christian faith and it's practicality in the spiritual life. Mr.Saward has a good grasp on the connection between the beautiful and holy. I found it very readable and would recommend it to anyone who seeks to enrich their Christian faith.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Introduction to Theological Aesthetics, September 4, 2006

By 

Matthew K. Minerd "The Coding Catholic" (Herdon, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Beauty of Holiness and the Holiness of Beauty: Art, Sanctity, and the Truth of Catholicism (Paperback)

I was recommended Saward's work as a preliminary text to introduce me to theological aesthetics before delving into the works of Hans Urs von Balthasar on beauty. It is a condensed development of a Theology of Art that is a testimony to the relationship between holiness and beauty. The theological is highly Thomistic and is constantly related to the beauty which is found in the Holy Ones of the Faith.

Saward's main development throughout the text is how beauty is always a reflection of holiness, for holiness is, at its core, a full harmony with God, letting the Radiance of the inner life of the Trinity shine through the holy one. By means of a variety of reflections, Saward considers those Holy Ones who are transparent to the beauty of God and reflects primarily on the different aspects of these beauties, particularly as found in Christ, The Eucharist, the Saints, The Virgin Mary, and the Martyrs. He always orders the beauty of the Holy Ones, as well as all of Creation, to the Holy God of all creation.

Saward's treatise serves as an important reminder to the power of Art insomuch as it works to the Glory of God, to the Glory of the Truth. Beauty is not removable from Truth and Goodness, but is an exposition of it, and a route thereto. By means of such Holiness, Art is lifted up to its summit and thus can purify an entire culture.