The History of the Catholic Church
Chapter 5: The Catholic Church and the Arts
The Catholic Church and the Arts
Film Focus: In this video, Fr. Mike McGovern and Cardinal Giovanni LaJolo provide an overview of why the Church is a great patron of the arts and discuss briefly the theology of the arts.
Text Focus: Pgs. 147, 156, 158-161
Discussion Questions:
- What does the Cardinal say is the mission of the Church?
- Where does all beauty come from? Do you agree with this statement?
- What does the Incarnation have to do with the Catholic Church’s appreciation with art?
- Have you ever had an experience with art that moved to you be closer to God? If so, share this experience. If not, discuss a piece of art that is particularly meaningful to you.
*Permission to link to this video for use in the classroom as part of the accompanying lesson has been granted by the producer.
Looking for teacher resources? Sign in or create an account to request access to teacher materials

Related Resources
YouTube Videos
- Chapter 1: Pentecost
- Chapter 1: Where did the Catholic Church come from? Catholic Basics with Fr. Bill
- Chapter 1: Scott Hahn – Saint Paul: Persecutor to Apostle
- Chapter 2: Fr. Mark Goring--Why do Catholics Baptize Infants?
- Chapter 2: Catholic History in Less than Five Minutes (3) The Development of the Papacy
- Chapter 2: St. Justin Martyr--Father and Apologist
- Chapter 3: Catholic History in Less Than Five Minutes: (4) The Early Church Fathers
- Chapter 3: Catholic History in Less Than Five Minutes: (2) The Age of Constantine
- Chapter 3: Arius, the Divinity of Christ and the Dignity of Man
- Chapter 4: The Crusades: A Concise Overview for Students
- Chapter 4: Cluny Reform Movement Story
- Chapter 5: Bartolomé de Las Casas: The Protector of the Indians
- Chapter 5: Are Indulgences Biblical?
- Chapter 6: Bishop Barron on Catholicism and the Reformation
- Chapter 6: Bishop Robert Barron on the Council of Trent
- Chapter 6: What are the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
- Chapter 7: The Galileo Myth
- Chapter 7: Introduction to the Scientific Revolution
- Chapter 7: The Suppression of the Society of Jesus
- Chapter 8: A Brief History of the Events Leading up to Rerum Novarum
- Chapter 8: Pope St. Pius X and Modernism
- Chapter 9: Find out how Benedict XV tried to Stop World War I
- Chapter 8: Bishop Barron on the Canonization of Junipero Serra
- Chapter 9: What Was Vatican II?
- Chapter 9: Humanae Vitae: Blessed Pope Paul VI's Prophetic Pro-Life Work
- Chapter 10: Saint John Paul II, the Life of a Holy Pope
- Chapter 10: World Youth Day: A look back at the bond between the youth and the Pope
- Chapter 10: The Life of Pope Francis in cartoon