In an address made on December 17th, Pope Benedict XVI highlighted the role of Mary, who is all beauty – ‘tota pulchra’ – in guiding us to the Way of Beauty – the ‘via pulchritudinis’. Once again, and echoing John Paul II before him in his Letter to Artists, Benedict highlights the importance of art united to the liturgy and manifesting theology; and the importance of the formation of this art through dialogue between artists, liturgists and theologians.
Roving Reporter #112 – A Special Offering for the Madonna in Italy (04min) >>> Play
Ave Maria!
Every year in the town of Campocavallo, Italy, there’s a festival on the first Sunday in August called “The Festival of the Covo.” For the past 70 years, a group of dedicated lay people have constructed a religious sculpture to honor the miraculous image of the Madonna of Campocavallo, and have processed the sculptures through the streets of the town with much festivity. The sculptures are very unique: they’re often larger than the size of a large automobile, and they’re constructed out of steel and wood and the grain from the local fields.
The sculptures from the past few years have been particularly beautiful. They’re replicas of famous churches from around the world. Recently, Friar Terrance had the opportunity to visit the Museum of the Covo and film some of these artistic treasures.
please view in 480p mode.~
In ieiunio et fletu orabant sacerdotes: parce Domine populo tuo, et ne des hereditatem tuam in perditionem. Inter vestibulum et altare plorabant sacerdotes dicentes: Parce populo tuo.
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Fasting and weeping, the priests shall pray: Spare thy people, Lord, and give not thy heritage over to destruction. Between the porch and altar, the priests shall pray: Spare thy people. Hear my prayer, O Lord
and let my crying come unto thee.
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Derelinquit impius viam suam, et vir iniquus cogitationes suas, et reveratur ad Dominum, et miserebitur eius: quia benignus at misericors est, et praestabilis super malitia, Dominus Deus noster.
The wicked man forsakes his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him: for the Lord our God is gracious and merciful, and ever ready to relent when he threatens disaster.
04min) >>> 
Audio (MP3)