Eucharist in Art Inspires Devotion to Real Presence

By Pamela Seal 
Diocese of Lake Charles 

 “He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.”  ~ Saint Francis of Assisi 
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On Sunday, June 11, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Feast of Corpus Christi), the National Eucharistic Revival entered its second phase — Year of Parish Revival. The focus of this phase is to foster Eucharistic devotion and strengthen liturgical life through faithful celebration of the Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. 

How can one express this devotion to the Divine Mystery? One way is through sacred art.  

The Diocese of Lake Charles commissioned four local artists to inspire Eucharistic devotion, each with their own creative styles. They are Kallan Stout, Nichole Ackoury Lanthier, Doug Smith, and Chris Marcello. 

“Our local diocese is blessed to have numerous artists who have been ministering to us for decades with their skills, talent and refined giftedness,” said Father Whitney Miller, chairman of the diocesan communications subcommittee for the Eucharistic Revival. 

“We chose four of the better known and more widely distributed of these artists to participate in this Eucharistic Revival effort. We thank them for their time, dedication, and generosity of spirit,” said Father Miller. 

In the digital age we are living, it can be life-giving to connect with God without distractions from social media, text messages, or the Internet. Father Miller explains the role art can play in this effort. 

“For centuries, the Catholic Church has been an advocate and promoter of the arts as an avenue for catechesis, inspiration and evangelization,” he said. “The great cathedrals of the world are not only places for divine worship and sacred liturgy, but also ‘artistic libraries’ erected for the glory of God and education of the mind, heart and soul of all humanity.” 

Artwork pertaining to the Eucharist can help one embrace more fully Christ’s presence simply by entering cathedrals and churches around the world. 

“We enter so as to marvel at the magnificence of beauty, the awe unlocking for us an encounter with the Holy and an experience of our God beyond the ordinary and mundane,” Father Miller noted. “We are fed in the Eucharist so as to ‘become what we consume.’ The doors open back out into the world as we bring the Christ into the culture and into our lives.” 

Father Miller expressed the hope of the committee that the art and text of these prayer cards revive Eucharistic living in the Diocese of Lake Charles. Printed on 4x6-inch card stock, each card features artwork on the front and the “Prayer for the Revival” on the back. Following is a description of each image: 

“Divine Love”  
Artist: Kallan Stout 

This 11x14 original painting depicts the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a monstrance that is overflowing with rays of Divine Mercy. Kallan Stout, a parishioner of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, said the piece was inspired by the Diary of St. Faustina and the way she describes the unimaginable love and mercy of Jesus. 

“St. Faustina’s writing has inspired me greatly in my faith journey,” said Kallan. “I wanted to create something that would encourage viewers to approach the ocean of mercy and love that is waiting for us always in the Blessed Sacrament with full trust.” 

Kallan went on to say that she hopes her painting reflects the “explosive joy and abundance that the Lord pours over us when we come to Him in the Eucharist.” 

“Our Lady in Adoration”  
Artist: Nichole Ackoury Lanthier 

This digital painting created with use of an Apple pencil and iPad illustrates the Blessed Mother in Adoration of her Son, our Lord, in the Eucharist. The embroidery on her robes resembles a monstrance to symbolize how she once held Christ within her, and how she continually brings us to Him even now. 

Nichole Lanthier, a parishioner of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, said the inspiration that led her to create this image was through meditating on our Lady, her relationship with Christ, and her role in salvation. She hopes her artwork will invite others to reflect more deeply on the Eucharist during this time of renewal. 

“Mary has a special role in leading us closer to Christ,” said Nichole. “In this artwork, she gazes upon her Son in the Eucharist, reminding us of her unwavering faith and intimate connection with Jesus.”  

Nichole continued, “I hope that this painting will encourage viewers to follow Mary’s example, to turn their hearts to Jesus, and to develop a deeper appreciation for the gift of the Eucharist."

 “The Body and Blood”  
Artist: Doug Smith 

An online image was the inspiration for Doug Smith, a parishioner of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, when he was initially asked to sketch this artwork for an A.C.T.S. retreat. Using charcoal and pastels, Doug said he thinks the finished result “perfectly captures the essence of being Catholic.” 

“My inspiration in sketching ‘The Body and Blood’ is to always bring Christ to the viewer via my art,” said Doug. “The hope is that my artwork uniquely speaks and connects to the viewer without any words, but rather are spoken in the heart. Hopefully, this sketch achieves that.” 

“The Institution of the Eucharist” 
(From the collection of Deacon
Glenn and Rose Viau) 
Artist: Chris Marcello 

In this oil on canvas painting — one of many paintings Chris Marcello has created over his more than 35 years as an artist based on the Mysteries of the Rosary — the figures are gathered around Jesus with their attention focused on Him. The one exception is the figure of Judas in the upper right-hand corner, facing away and looking off in the distance. 

“The Eucharist is central to our faith,” said Chris. “I hope that this image will remind the viewer to keep their heart focused and not turn away from Him.”  

“Endless Graces”  
Artist: Kallan Stout 

Using charcoal, paint, pen, gold leaf and chalk, Kallan Stout created this 11x14 original on brown card stock. It depicts the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance with rays of Divine Mercy pouring out on the viewer. Kallan, a parishioner of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, said the piece was inspired by the Diary of St. Faustina. 

“We know from St. Faustina how badly the Lord desires to pour Himself out onto us each day if only we would approach Him with a willing heart,” said Kallan. “I thought about His words on the cross, ‘I Thirst’ and how much he thirsts for us to love Him in return.” 

Acknowledging how so many people doubt or fail to recognize the True Presence in the Eucharist, Kallan said she wanted this piece of art to illustrate the work of His Presence beyond the bread. 

“Endless graces are waiting for us in each Mass and each visit to Adoration,” said Kallan. “What a gift we have in the Eucharist!” 

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For more information on obtaining a prayer card, contact your local church parish.