The Catechetical Review - Communicating Christ for a New Evangelization

Learning through Art: The Mercy Seat Trinity

Authored by Dr. Caroline Farey in Issue #33.1 of The Sower

The painting by Durante Alberti is the kind of painting one is sometimes warned against using in catechesis, especially with children, for there is a worry that children will be led astray by the depiction of God the Father as an old man with a big beard – and, possibly for children, what appears to be a rather frightening old man. But all that we need to remember is that catechesis should accompany the presentation of Catholic art such as this, and the explanations that one can offer are not only striking in themselves, and deeply helpful for children as well as adults, but alter one’s perception of what is in the painting. Indeed, the initial alteration comes as soon as one applies the name, ‘Mercy seat’, to the painting. As one looks at the painting with this title in one’s mind, the meaning of the picture changes from being a straightforward depiction of the crucifixion, to a profound depiction of the Catholic understanding of God’s power as loving mercy.

The rest of this online article is available for current subscribers.

Start your subscription today!


This article is from The Sower and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of Maryvale Institute. Contact [email protected]

Articles from the Most Recent Issue

Editor’s Reflections: Eucharistic Communion and Seeing Those in Need
By Dr. James Pauley
Free The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that receiving the Eucharist “commits us to the poor” (1397). Why is this so? Receiving the Eucharist means that we enter into union with the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. And being in Holy Communion with Jesus himself means something profound. Let’s consider one facet of this great mystery.... Read more
The Anawim and the Kerygma
By Colin and Aimee MacIver
Sarah: aged and barren. Joseph: rejected, betrayed, and enslaved. Moses: desperately cast afloat in a basket. Daniel: sent to death by lions. Mary: unknown, unmarried, unbelieved. Salvation history is the story of the poor ones, the bowed down, the lowly—the anawim , as they are named in Hebrew. In both the Old Testament and the New, God tends to... Read more
The Spiritual Life: Poverty, Purity of Heart, & Eucharistic Living
By Sr. Alicia Torres, FE
Free This article is part of a 3-year series dedicated to promoting the efforts of the National Eucharistic Revival in the United States. “The Body of Christ.” “Amen.” Each time we participate in Mass, we have the opportunity to encounter the Lord Jesus in the most intimate way through the reception of Holy Communion. This moment is the most practical... Read more

Pages

Watch Tutorial Videos

We've put together several quick and easy tutorial videos to show you how to use this website.

Watch Now