How can art renew hearts and show the way to God?
An upcoming event at Christ the Redeemer Parish, Atco, aims to answer this exact question.
A discussion titled, “Beautiful Thing: Proclaiming the Gospel Through Art,” will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the church.
Jim Dessicino, parish catechetical leader at the Parish of Saint Monica in Atlantic City, will lead the program. Utilizing Scripture and Church documents, he will show how “in a secular world filled with ugliness, beauty is the great evangelizer.”
“Beauty is the way that we can know with our senses, the two other transcendentals: truth and goodness,” he continued.
As the Catholic Church offers the fullness of truth, “art is first and foremost a service to God, and when ordered properly, it is a tool for evangelization.”
A sculptor for the past 15 years, and a revert to the faith, Dessicino now restores religious statuary and creates public monuments and memorials. For more than a year, he has been leading tours of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church in Atlantic City. Before that, he was one of the few non-Italians to lead tours of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.
He has taught at the University of the Arts and Fleisher Art Memorial, both in Philadelphia; the University of Delaware; and Stockton University in South Jersey. He is currently the program director for Rome Art Residencies.
During the presentation, Dessicino will demonstrate that sacred art is a corporal work of mercy, in that it accomplishes acts such as feeding those hungry for spiritual knowledge and truth, and instructing those who are not well-versed in the faith. As well, he will explain how each work of art can honor, or dishonor, God and His creation.
“The act of making is reimagining creation,” he noted; “in every way, the maker can order creation, or disorder it.”
Dessicino will also speak on the sacred art present at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church. Tracing its roots to 1902, the historic place of worship is known for its Romanesque Revival architecture and sculpture. In 2001, the church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
As this event ties into Christ the Redeemer’s efforts to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee Year, Laurie Power, parish pastoral associate of Lifelong Faith Formation/director of OCIA, noted Pope Francis’ document, “Spes Non Confundit,” which announced the year, and his words on sacred art.
Through “contemplating the beauty of creation and masterpieces of art,” the pontiff wrote, “we learn to treasure the richness of different experiences and cultures, and are inspired to lift up that beauty, in prayer, to God in thanksgiving for his wondrous works.”
Added Power, “Since many of us will not have an opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Rome to see the masterpieces in the Jubilee churches, Jim will share with us works of art right here in our Diocese that will inspire us to lift our hearts to God in praise and thanks.”
The event will be held at Christ the Redeemer Pastoral Center, 318 Carl Hasselhan Dr., Atco. An R.S.V.P. would be appreciated, but is not required. Call 856-767-171, or e-mail Laurie.Power@christtheredeemer.us. For more information, visit christtheredeemer.us/jubilee2025.
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