A Pilgrim's Journey: The Master Artist

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

The Master Artist

The world's best and finest art is that which serves as a kind of window. Through it one can grasp a fuller knowledge of life, of truth, of beauty. It becomes a passageway for light which illuminates the mind and the soul, and so reality is made a little clearer, a little richer.

The artist who can achieve this we call a “master.” But such a one is only the merest shadow of the truly artistic Master, that One Who does not fashion great works with clay or canvas, but Whose crown of creation is mankind. It is He Who makes saints, forming them after His own image, colouring them with grace, and placing them in the world as windows through which we see something of God's divine beauty and truth, and through whom we are illumined by God's own Light.

Meeting Pope St. John Paul II

In 1983 I was a newly-ordained priest. In November of that year, it was my privilege to be in Rome to take part in developing The Book of Divine Worship. During that time an invitation was extended to celebrate Mass with His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, in his private chapel. After we had said Mass, and in those few moments I had with the Holy Father, he told me that he remembered considering the request for my ordination, and he described how he came to an affirmative decision. For me, our brief conversation was an experience which will be treasured forever. At the conclusion of our time together, I asked him if I could take his blessing back to the people of my parish. His very simple words remain precious to me: "With all my heart, I bless you and your people." He then embraced me, and I knew that I was forever "home in my Father's house."