The Beauty of Holiness and the Holiness of Beauty

"Beauty will save the world," said Dostoyevsky.  In this book, John Saward presents a study of two powerful ways in which true beauty shines upon the world--in the lives of the saints and in the works of Christian art, "the beauty of holiness and the holiness of beauty."  This book is a unique and unprecedented meditation on the beauty of Christ and His saints and centers on several works of art by Blessed John of Fiesole, known to the world as Fra Angelico.  Drawing on Angelico's own theological sources, Saward has written a book not on art history but on the splendor of Catholic truth.  Beauty is the splendor of truth, the attractive radiance of truth.  This book is at the service of that attraction.  It is intended to help Christians grow in wonder at the glory of Divine Revelation, to which both the Church's saints and the Church's art bear witness.  Illustrated with Angelico's color art.

"This luminous book is so important that it can scarcely be overestimated.  The substance of Saward's scholarship, and his understanding of culture, are dazzling.  His vision is of utmost urgency.  This is wise, deeply moving and invigorating--a masterpiece!"
- Michael O'Brien, Author, Father Elijah

"The more I read of John Saward's work, the more I find myself inclined to include his name on the very short list of preeminently important 20th century Catholic writers.  He opens up to us yet another rich aspect of the Faith which seems scarcely to have been touched on before.  Read it, and find your vision vastly deepened and heightened."
- Thomas Howard, Author, On Being Catholic

"Professor Saward has provided his readers a great service by his careful treatment of the connection between sacred art, the heroic virtue of saintly people and the fullness of truth taught by Christ and His Church.  The numerous citations of Catholic artists, poets and musicians demonstrate how the Catholic Faith elevates civilization.  Perhaps through efforts such as Professor Saward's, we will see the prevailing culture of death pale in the light of a civilization of life and love radiating out from the beauty of holiness and the holiness of beauty that truth inspires."
- Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

John Saward, a former Anglican clergyman who converted to Roman Catholicism, is a Professor of Dogmatic Theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia.  The author of Redeemer in the Womb and The Mysteries of March, he is also a translator of the works of Hans Urs von Balthasar.