How to Glorify God with Art

[PelagiathePenit]

I’m a writer. I have this idea of writing a saint story. I have read countless saint biographies. I still have not found one I can particularly relate. Holiness is difficult to understand. As much as I love the scandalous penitential saints, they too feel distant. Most people do not live particularly depraved lives or live on the outskirts of society. It is difficult for me to understand how God changed such hardened sinners. The very holy ones I do not understand. Biographies seem to gloss over their shortcomings.
What is the difference between a sinner and a flawed human being?
I’m particularly drawn to young saints. If you have any suggestions for ordinary saints.
I have two competing philosophies:

• Art should reflect real life
• Art should be an escape

Part of me believes ordinary saints are more relatable, but the hardened ones truly demonstrate the work of God.

A theme I definitely like it how no one is all that important - humility. I’m a fan of Ecclesiastes in the bible.

I was I thinking of writing about someone who is working class/low middle class. They don’t own a lot. They have to rely on outside help and the work hard for everything.

Then I like the idea of someone who has it all but is missing God. You know how they say people feel empty.

TOO MANY IDEA SYNDROME

I appreciate your honest critiques and opinions. These ideas of have been spinning in my head for much too long.

 

[Lea101]

I like the idea of someone having it all except God. Just my personal preference. Obviously I don’t have it all, but I think it’s relevant because we all usually chase for material things and we don’t realize that they won’t keep us happy.

 

[PelagiathePenit]

I like the idea of someone having it all except God. Just my personal preference. Obviously I don’t have it all, but I think it’s relevant because we all usually chase for material things and we don’t realize that they won’t keep us happy.

Me too. I’m drawn to that story. I hate to sound cynical, but it is easy to need or love God when you constantly have to rely on Him for your well-being. It says something to me when a person cannot find happiness in material possessions.

 

[Viki63]

I’
What is the difference between a sinner and a flawed human being?
I’m particularly drawn to young saints. If you have any suggestions for ordinary saints.

There is no difference. We are all flawed, and all sinners. Saints are sinners who are forgiven, if you are referring to saints who are still alive.
Saints in heaven of course have been declared saints by the church, as evidenced by the miracles they perform in answer to our prayers.

I like reading about St. Philomena. She was martyred at age 13, and that is about all we know about her except that she has done many miracles. If you wrote a book you might have to make it all up. That might be embarrassing when you meet her in heaven, so maybe find a saint that we know something about. How about St. Agnes? Her story is interesting.

.

 

[Garyjohn2]

Hello,

You have some great ideas, and I like your thought process. I’m also an amateur writer of sorts, and I’m happy to be there and have a few thoughts bounce off of me.

Most people do not live particularly depraved lives.

You may be surprised! St. Augustine is commonly thought of as a “depraved” sinner, addicted to lust and a horrible adulterer before he converted. In fact, he is famously thought of in this way. What was his major sin? He was living with a woman he wasn’t married to. Is that it? Yes, pretty much. In the olden days this was seen as heinous. Nowadays, it’s so common as to be normal. In one sense, you can totally say that most people do not lead depraved lives. In another sense, almost everyone does.

It is difficult for me to understand how God changed such hardened sinners.

I don’t want to sound extra-clever – but it may be the perfect time for some first-hand practical research. What sins are you attached to, personally? Dwell on God for a time, give yourself to Him, and be converted! Report back your findings.

What is the difference between a sinner and a flawed human being?

There is absolutely no difference. They are synonyms.

I’m particularly drawn to young saints. If you have any suggestions for ordinary saints.

“Ordinary” saints are kind of hard to pin down – since they are extraordinary by their definition. I think you mean more humble saints – ones that were holy and great in their own way, but not so magnificent as to convert an entire nation or something.

You said you’ve read a bunch of Saints biographies already, so you probably know of more than I do. Also, most of the saints that are well known (and that I know of) already have great biographies. The first I think of is St. Maria Gorreti. Young, poor, normal – yet courageous enough to forgive the almost unforgivable.

Ancient saints will be difficult because of the sparcity of information. I’d suggest looking for modern (1800’s-2000’s) saints that are lesser known. Saints where it wouldn’t be impossible to find info on, but may not have had their whole story told. Look up the saints canonized by St. Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict, or Pope Francis for a good start.

I have two competing philosophies:

• Art should reflect real life

• Art should be an escape

Both of the above can be true, and often are. You can totally ‘escape’ by reading about someone else life – or in the case of something really well written – by living their life vicariously by experiencing their story. I love fiction, but all the best stories are true.

 

[PelagiathePenit]

When I stated ordinary saints. I meant the ones who lived humble hidden lives. They didn’t have particularly apparent obvious mortal sins. I wish I could lead a hidden humble, self sacrificing life. I cannot relate to how they felt or how deeply they loved God.

 

[Garyjohn2]

When I stated ordinary saints. I meant the ones who lived humble hidden lives. They didn’t have particularly apparent obvious mortal sins. I wish I could lead a hidden humble, self sacrificing life. I cannot relate to how they felt or how deeply they loved God.

Have you read the diary of St. Maria Faustina? She may or may not have a biography out there already, but the diary itself describes much of what you are seeking.

 

[PelagiathePenit]

Hello,

You have some great ideas, and I like your thought process. I’m also an amateur writer of sorts, and I’m happy to be there and have a few thoughts bounce off of me.

You may be surprised! St. Augustine is commonly thought of as a “depraved” sinner, addicted to lust and a horrible adulterer before he converted. In fact, he is famously thought of in this way. What was his major sin? He was living with a woman he wasn’t married to. Is that it? Yes, pretty much. In the olden days this was seen as heinous. Nowadays, it’s so common as to be normal. In one sense, you can totally say that most people do not lead depraved lives. In another sense, almost everyone does.

I don’t want to sound extra-clever – but it may be the perfect time for some first-hand practical research. What sins are you attached to, personally? Dwell on God for a time, give yourself to Him, and be converted! Report back your findings.

There is absolutely no difference. They are synonyms.

“Ordinary” saints are kind of hard to pin down – since they are extraordinary by their definition. I think you mean more humble saints – ones that were holy and great in their own way, but not so magnificent as to convert an entire nation or something.

You said you’ve read a bunch of Saints biographies already, so you probably know of more than I do. Also, most of the saints that are well known (and that I know of) already have great biographies. The first I think of is St. Maria Gorreti. Young, poor, normal – yet courageous enough to forgive the almost unforgivable.

Ancient saints will be difficult because of the sparcity of information. I’d suggest looking for modern (1800’s-2000’s) saints that are lesser known. Saints where it wouldn’t be impossible to find info on, but may not have had their whole story told. Look up the saints canonized by St. Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict, or Pope Francis for a good start.

Both of the above can be true, and often are. You can totally ‘escape’ by reading about someone else life – or in the case of something really well written – by living their life vicariously by experiencing their story. I love fiction, but all the best stories are true.

I need first-hand research to understand hardened sinners. Lol. I think I’ll choose saints from our time. A particular penitent I love is St. Mary of Egypt. I cannot imagine running away from home, prostituting myself at 12, living by begging and spinning flax, going on a pilgrimage to further corrupt and engage in fornication and miraculously being humbled by my inability to enter a church because of my sinfulness. I think her extreme life shows even the most lost sinners can find God. It makes me think of the parable of the lost coin. Hope.
The saint I selected as my name here is St.Pelagia the Penitent. A famous entertainer - actress/stripper/dancer. She was born into immense wealth. She was not well-liked by her community despite her great beauty. She was shamelessly sinful and seems to get away with things normal people could not so people thought she was in cahoots with the devil. Priests were humbled by her dedication to adorning herself for her lovers. Nonnus said if only people worked as hard as this prostitute to adorn themselves to God like she works to perfect herself for her customers. In the end, she simply heard a sermon which led her to denounce her sinful life and lead a life of asceticism. Her story is considered pious fiction.

St. Maria Goretti puts me to shame honestly. I cannot relate or understand her holiness. I understood her more as I matured.

Some people like art because it provides happy endings. You can live on the moon in art. Some people think art should push the imagination. I miss my childlike imagination. I used to draw little African children with red hair and blue eyes.

 

[PelagiathePenit]

Have you read the diary of St. Maria Faustina? She may or may not have a biography out there already, but the diary itself describes much of what you are seeking.

I’ve read passages about her visions of hell.