God Our Lord gave us creatures that they may serve us in our attaining Himself. Thus, it is fitting that culture and art, inspired by the Faith, make evident all the beauties of irrational creation and the splendors of talent and virtue possessed by the human soul. This is what is called Christian Culture and Civilization.
Like this, men are formed in the truth and beauty, the love of sublimity, the hierarchy and order that in the Universe reflect the perfection of He who made it. In fact, it is thus that creatures lend to our salvation and serve the divine glory.
Sainte Chapelle, built by King Saint Louis IX of France.
But, on the other hand, creatures are contingent and passing; only God is absolute and eternal. It is necessary to remember this. And because of this, it is good to detach oneself from created beings, that in despising them one may think only of God.
Medieval manuscript showing the hierarchy of society, The Church, The Nobility and Society.
By means of the first method, that of considering what creatures are, one ascends until one arrives at God. By means of the other method, one goes to God by considering what creatures are not.
The Church invites her children to go by both means simultaneously: by means of the spectacular sublimity of Her pomp, and through the consideration of the admirable renunciations that only She can inspire.
