What is it?
Named for our dear friend Monsignor Aiden Foynes, who always injects his cheerful creativity into his ministry, The Monsignor Foynes Art Gallery was constructed in 2024, to showcase the works of Christian artists, and bring the merits of Faith-Based Art to the local community. The Monsignor Foynes Art Gallery hosts regular exhibits of Christian Art, to educate, evangelize and inspire according to our Diocesan Mission.
Where is it?
The Gallery is located in the Larkin Center, at 820 Jasmine Way, and is open during regular office hours, Monday through Thursday, 9:00m to 3:00pm, Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm, and briefly after every Mass.
What exactly is Faith-Based Art?
“NON VERBIS ORO” (“Not everyone prays with words.” ) – Michelangelo
Faith-Based Art is a multi-cultural phenomenon, wherein deep Christian themes are contemplated, and prayers for intercession, inspiration and betterment are made to God, in the form of paintings and other artwork. The most famous forms of Faith-Based Art are Ecclesiastical Art and Votive Art. Ecclesiastical Art conveys stories from The Bible, and the great acts of The Saints, in the form of artwork. They are created for the purpose of education, evangelization and praise. Votive Art is any artwork wherein a person conveys his or her prayer to God or The Saints for intercession. We long to exhibit these pieces, on an ongoing basis, to fulfill our missionary purpose at Saint Cecelia.
Votive Art is for EVERYONE
Votive art has been around for centuries, first appearing in the year 1490, where it was called ex voto suscepto. Popular in Latin communities, Votive Art is a prayer of thanksgiving or intercession in the form of a drawing or painting, where the artist depicts their need, or praise to The Lord or a saint, in the form of an artwork. THE ARTIST NEED NOT BE A PROFESSIONAL to enjoy the practice of Votive Art, as the process is fueled by their faith rather than their artistic skill. A prayer in the form of Votive Art tends to be very mediative and spiritually healing, as the one to create the artwork focuses deeply on pouring their faith into the work.
A formula for applying Votive Art in your life.
1.) Find a quiet space where you can be alone in the presence of The Lord, ideally a place where you can bring your art unobtrusively.
2.) Draw the scene that comes to mind when you long to give The Lord praise, or when you ask Him for what you need now in your spiritual life.
3.) Do not rush or strive for immediate perfection. Let your action be a dialogue. Build layer upon layer. In our lives, God gives and God takes away, in order to bring us closer to communion with Him. In the same way, let your action be a balance of give and take, preserve what is necessary to bring your Votive Artwork where it needs to be, remove what stands in the way of that fulfilment. There is no call to finish in a day, a week, a month, or a year. This is a journey, not a race.
4.) Find peace and calm in the action of creating this work, for you and for The Lord. Let it be a record of the dialogue between the two of you. As you work, focus on the moment, give form to the feeling.
Artists who practice Votive Art find a great sense of calm and connection to The Lord in their heart. As a form of meditation, it brings a sense of peace and tranquility to those who practice it regularly.