The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

SACKED IMAGES. 243how can the portraits of saints desecrate ours? 1And what can be more appropriate than to surroundthe Sanctuary of Jesus Christ with the portraitsthesaints, especially of Mary and of the Apostles,who, in their life, ministered to His sacred person?And is it not natural for children to adorn theirhomes with the likenesses of their Fathers in thefaith ?2. Religious paintings are the catechism of theignorant. In spite of all the efforts of Church andState in the cause of education, a great proportionof the human race will be found illiterate. Dewill teach those what books makescriptive picturesknown to the learned.ofHow many thousands would have died ignorantof the Christian faith, if they had not been enlightened by paintings When ! Augustine, theApostle of England, first appeared before KingEthelbert, to announce to him the Gospel, a silvercrucifix, and a painting of our Saviour, were bornebefore the preacher; and these images spoke moretenderly to the eyes than his words to the ears ofhis audience.St. Francis XavierBy means of religious emblems,effected many conversions in India; and by the samemeans Father De Smet made known the Gospel tothe savages of the Rocky Mountains.lAt the Washington and Lee University, Lexington. Va.,in the sanctuary of the chapel, the portrait of an opulent benefactor holds a conspicuous place.