The interview below was conducted by the International News Agency ZENIT and you may, like me, find it very thought-provoking. Are we tourists or are we pilgrims? The article does not soley relate to the sites in the Vatican; but rather, it relates to what we do in a much broader sense.....let us know what you think...
God's Canvases
Interview With Director of Vatican Museum Patrons
ROME, JULY 21, 2009 (Zenit.org).- There are two classes of people who come to Rome to see the thousands of masterpieces on display here: One group leaves with mere fleeting impressions; the other with an experience that cannot be forgotten.The difference? Those who come as tourists learn art facts that are easily forgotten. Those who come as pilgrims seek -- and oftentimes find -- an experience of God that is opened to them by the sacred art they see.This evaluation of Rome's visitors was given by Legionary of Christ Father Mark Haydu, International Director of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums.
ZENIT spoke with Father Haydu on the occasion of this month's opening of the renovated Pauline Chapel, a project sponsored by the patrons. Here, Father Haydu shares the experience that brought him to be a lover of the arts -- and explains how God himself is an artist.
ZENIT: How did you become interested in sacred art?
Father Haydu: An image like this one from a 17th-century painter named Johannes Vermeer opened my eyes to the world of art. It taught me to look for the deeper message that a work of art can hide. It helped me to realize that someone who approaches art can be enriched, and I saw that art is capable of opening up a spiritual dimension and communicating truths that might not be attained in other ways.
ZENIT: In this painting, we see a pensive woman in a cluttered room with a scale in her hands. What does this piece tell us?
Father Haydu: The first step would be to analyze the elements of composition so as to see what they tell us about the author, his intentions and his style. But I think your question is more about the deeper meaning of the painting. When I evaluate a work, I don't just ask what the artist wanted to communicate, but above all, what this work tells me about myself.This is what's beautiful about a work of art: It speaks a universal language, that is, the language of beauty. For example, in this painting we see how the weight (on the scale) is heavier on the right side; this brings us to center our attention there. The light coming in from the window on the left side in some sense balances the scene. It is the inside of a room and an everyday moment that we are "invading." Vermeer introduces us to a private and personal moment in the life of this person. Behind the woman we see a painting that represents final judgment. This woman is getting ready to balance her pearls. We can intuit that the pearls refer to her earthly treasures and this woman weighs them up in light of the universal judgment, of her eternal destiny. She is making a balance of her life and what she has, faced to eternity. This, for example, can help us to see that man is free to reflect on what he wants to do with his life, but that it is important to do this in the light of eternity, which awaits all of us. The light that falls over the woman illumines her head, but also her chest, thus indicating that the decision she has to make is, yes, in her head but, also and above all, in her heart. It is there that man's decisions are made. The mind considers them; the heart puts them in motion.
ZENIT: And how does one go about discovering all of this?
Father Haydu: After giving attention -- without rushing -- to the form, the content, the colors, the elements, it is very important to ask oneself, "Why did the artist do it this way and not in some other?" This is trying to penetrate into the mind of the artist. An artist can create whatever he wants, and this can bring us to think as well of the first artist: God.
ZENIT: God is an artist?
Father Haydu: Yes, he is the artist par excellence. The creation of the world and of the human person, which Michelangelo celebrates with his frescoes in the dome of the Sistine Chapel -- is that not a marvelous and incomparable work of art? And going beyond nature, we can see the marvel of God the Artist in ourselves. We are the canvas. With our free cooperation, the Lord progressively draws the work of art that is our lives. We can look back and ask ourselves why thing have happened as they have. When we analyze a painting we discover the hand of the artist; we intuit his idea and what he wanted to create. In the same way, in looking at our life, we can discover the hand of God: Our life has been this way because that is how its Artist has permitted it to be, that's how he has wanted it, and thus we realize that it is not a fruit of coincidence or fate, but rather that behind all this is the loving hand of God.
ZENIT: What is the aim of sacred art?
Father Haydu: Sacred art tries to bring the soul toward God. It aims to transmit the message of faith, explain it, share it. That's why a person cannot pass by sacred art as a mere tourist. "All the great works of art, cathedrals -- the Gothic cathedrals and the splendid Baroque churches -- they are all a luminous sign of God and therefore truly a manifestation, an epiphany of God. … If we contemplate the beauties created by faith, they are simply, I would say, the living proof of faith." These are words from the Holy Father from last summer in his meeting with priests of the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone.
ZENIT: Some people think that so much art in churches is just a distraction. Is that true?
Father Haydu: If someone doesn't know how to "read" it, then it might be a distraction, but if they see it as a path toward God, then the opposite occurs: The art refers to what the liturgy celebrates and proclaims and this is a help. We can, for example, see the paintings in a church that show the lives of the saints and think about how all of these saints offered their lives for Christ. And from this contemplation we could follow along to the resolution of wanting to be saints ourselves, or turn our gaze to the Blessed Sacrament and ask for the grace to be saints. It is therefore a matter of bridging two things that could appear separated. Art can also be a valuable aid for fervor when a pilgrim doesn't speak the language of the country where he is visiting a church. The pilgrim could appreciate the art and begin remembering the homilies he has heard about the scenes of Christ's life or of the saints that are pictured in that church. Art is there to help us pray, not just so that we look at it and leave the same as when we arrived.
ZENIT: The people who visit Rome's art -- what are they like?
Father Haydu: Frequently we find two attitudes: One is that of the tourist who comes to collect experiences so as to later talk about them with friends and family. "I went to the four basilicas of Rome; I went to the Vatican Museums; I saw this, that and the other; it was so beautiful, etc." And that's it. It doesn't go beyond that. The other attitude is that of the pilgrim: This is someone who wants to make a stop in life, analyze his soul before God, and leave enriched. This is someone who seeks a grace, a change in life. I think that these days, the people who come to visit these places are seeking this. They need the art to elevate them toward God. Sacred art can be the means that paves the way for a conversion of heart to him who is the Author of beauty. Art puts man before God, it brings him to look at his life in the light of eternal and transcendent realities. In fact, one of the principal tasks of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums is to restore these works so that their original inspiration and impact are more evident. In this way, one who sees these works can appreciate them in all of their beauty. This impact can be the difference between one who sees the work as a tourist and one who sees it as a pilgrim. And when people make this click, everything changes. A new world opens before them, as was the case with me and that work of Vermeer.
ZENIT: And what do you recommend to the tourists or pilgrims or tourist-pilgrims who visit the art of Rome?Father Haydu: That they come and rest not just distracting themselves with so much artistic beauty, but trying to discover Christ and the message of faith that is behind every work of Christian art. That they follow not just a tourist route but also a path of faith. In this sense, it can be helpful to ask the one who offers the explanations of the works of art to also help them to make an experience of faith.ZENIT: How can guides help those who visit Rome?
Father Haydu: The guides are above all art historians. Now then, a Christian guide also tries to transmit the human, Christian and spiritual base that is behind every work of art. In fact, there are already many guides here in Rome and in other places that do this. I think the mission of a Christian guide is to be a bridge between God and art. He is the one who helps those who appreciate art to pass by it and learn of its artistic expressions, yes, but also to encounter the faith, the Gospel and Christ.He speaks to them of the ideas that the artists wanted to transmit. The Christian guide, on one hand knows well the history and technical elements of each work, but on the other hand, seeks to communicate to the tourists and pilgrims ideas that will help them to better appreciate the art and to grow humanly and spiritually. In this way, the visitors will always remember that guided tour of Rome, because they will not only take with them the scientific and historical facts that are forgotten the next day, but they will take with them something more: an experience of getting closer to God. This is never forgotten.
ZENIT: Who can collaborate with the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums?
Father Haydu: Anyone who wants to join in the effort to conserve the artistic patrimony of the Vatican Museums in their most perfect state, to preserve these valuable elements of universal patrimony, and to create a Christian culture of man and art. Anyone who wants more information can visit our Web page: www.vatican-patrons.org.

In an ongoing attempt to keep up with the ever-increasing cruise ship competition, Holland America has recently completed renovations on the ms Veendam to the tune of 40 million dollars. Key additions are 38 lanai staterooms on deck six, an inviting, spacious bar called "Mix" located next to the casino on deck 8 and the "Retreat" on the top aft of the ship on deck 11. The Lanai staterooms are unique to the industry. They overlook the promenade deck with floor to ceiling windows which are one-way mirrored, so guests can peer out at the scenery, but passers-by can't peer back in unless they are looking directly into the room and the lights are on inside. Sliding doors allow access to the promenade, activated by a push button on the inside and an electronic key card from the outside. During the day in "Mix", guests may play video checkers and chess on the electronic tables and at night, relax and enjoy piano and guitar music in a stylish setting which features three specialty bar areas.The "Retreat" is a visual treat, with a hot tub and a small swimming pool surrounded by 44 lounge chairs set inside a wading area. An open-air bar and pizzeria called Slice have been added adjacent to the pool. Definitely time to pack the bags and check out the new digs!

In a recent article on Shanghai, I was surprised to learn of the incredible changes that have taken place since my visit over 20 years ago. The city has transformed itself from a gritty industrial hub of crammed tenements and rusting steel mills and shipyards into a showcase of glittering skyscrapers, quaint but quiet alleyways and meticulously landscaped parks. It is now being touted as an elite travel destination, especially for gourmet dining and shopping and is the most competetive market in the world for luxury hotels. A few years ago, that would have been hard to believe. But key parts of the city have been transformed by a craze for upscale urban renewal and if, like me, you haven't been in a while, it's very likely worth a visit. If you have been a couple of times and have a "before and after" story, tell us about it!

Finally, after 5 previous attempts, space shuttle Endeavour sped towards the heavens yesterday, carrying Canadian astronaut Julie Payette. What a thrill for her and her team mates to lift off on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the liftoff of the first moon landing! Now, doesn't that make those of us who remember that first moon landing, feel a bit older than we care to admit. Tomorrow, the shuttle will meet up with fellow Canadian Robert Thirsk and it will be the first time 2 Canadians have been in space at the same time. How long will it be before astronauts are living on the moon and pushing on to Mars, the next major destination? Can you imagine seeing travel ads announcing "Fully inclusive 1-week vacations to Hotel Mars, just $599!"

Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to visit Jordan with a group of travel writers and travel industry personnel. It was one of the most amazing and awe-inspiring experiences for me and having travelled to many places, that is really saying something. The experience was all brought back to me a few days ago when I picked up Dreamscapes magazine March edition and saw an article written by one of the writer's with whom I had travelled. Reading the article, I felt I was right back there in that beautiful red-sand desert enjoying a jeep ride through Wadi Rum and sitting around the campfire at our Bedouin camp and exploriing wide-eyed, the magnificent sites of Petra, a former Natatean Kingdom and one of the newest 7 wonders of the world. If you have not discovered this part of the world, I highly recommend it! I'm thrilled that our travel company is offering a custom-designed tour this November which includes Jordan as well as Egypt and Israel. Check it out at www.craigtravel.com or get in touch with me with any questions you may have.

Welcome to our first Craig Travel blog! It is our hope that you will join our conversations as we discuss a myriad of travel stories and share thoughts, memories and stories from our (and your) travels.

Perhaps an appropriate place to start would be to ask ourselves why we travel in the first place. Yes, some of us travel on business because we are obligated to and some travel to visit family in distant places. But what about those of us who use our precious vacation time to hop on a plane and travel to a strange place where we may have no idea what to expect or whether we will enjoy that destination. Why do we make these journeys at considerable expense and often in considerable discomfort simply to go to some strange place? Years ago, the answer might simply have been that we went to see things we couldn’t see at home. Or it may have been to taste foods we couldn’t get at home or to hear the music of a particular country. But today, we can view incredible documentaries and travel shows on TV; we have restaurants of every nationality and description right in our own towns and cities and the music of the entire planet is now as close as our own computer.

No, there must be a deeper reason why we travel. Travelling simply for the pleasure of it is hardly rational, since there are sometimes when it is not a pleasure, but rather more of a pain. But the idea of travel has never appealed to pure logic. As Henry David Thoreau put it, “It is not worthwhile to go around the world to count the cats in Zanzibar.”

Perhaps the best explanation for the urge to travel is that we are born with it. Prehistoric hunters would never have survived to propagate the breed if they had not kept ranging beyond the next hill. The Australian aborigines are famous for “going walkabout,” taking long walks into the Outback in response to some mystical whim of nature. Perhaps we modern, city folk feel we must periodically pack our bags and be off somewhere to go “walkabout” as well?

One thing for sure is that travel is an escape; an escape from our daily lives, routines, jobs, bosses, bad weather, responsibilities and reality in general. It cuts us off from the normal stresses and pressures of our daily lives. It’s an escape to an unknown fantasy-land. And yes, there can be stresses in travelling, but they are of a different kind; a late flight, misplaced luggage or a hard bed. And these are soon forgotten when we remind ourselves that a change is as good as a rest. And a change is why we left home in the first place. As Judge Thomas Haliburton greeted the vagaries of travel with typical philosophical words of comfort: “The bee, though it finds every rose has a thorn, comes back loaded with honey from his rambles, and why should not other tourists do the same?”

Tell us why you travel…..