Praying with Sacred Art: Pondering the Mystery of Redemption through Visio Divina

• Explores visio divina as prayer through sacred art
• Reflects on masterworks across salvation history
• Explains beauty, symbolism, and transcendence in art
• Provides historical and theological context for each piece
• Includes reflection questions for personal contemplation

This book is an invitation to encounter God through the transforming power of visual beauty.

Derek Rotty leads readers on a rich journey through sacred art, showing how the good, the true, and the beautiful converge to reveal the Creator. Rooted in the tradition of visio divina, he demonstrates how prayerful contemplation of sacred images becomes a profound meeting place with Christ.

Throughout the book, Rotty reflects on celebrated works—from the Isenheim Altarpiece to Raphael’s Transfiguration—illuminating their history, symbolism, theology, and spiritual resonance. He explains the classical understanding of beauty, the role of sacred art in contemplative prayer, and the importance of beauty within the life of the Church.

Each chapter offers guidance for reading visual symbolism and opens space for deeper reflection through thoughtfully crafted questions.

Praying with Sacred Art becomes a pilgrimage through the movements of the liturgical year, equipping the faithful to enter more fully into the mysteries of salvation history and to encounter Our Lord through the gift of sacred beauty.