Welcome to The Via Pulchritudinis
“And I replied unto all the things . . . “You have told me of my God, that you are not he; tell me something of him.” And they cried out with a loud voice, “He made us.” My questioning them, was my thoughts on them: and their beauty was their reply” - St Augustine
It’s no secret to any of us who have ever beheld true beauty — it points us toward higher things in a profound way. The moments when we’re overcome with feeling and wonder and become so caught up in the sublime as to think we’re already touching Heaven; it’s extra-rational, beyond reason, it moves us forward towards greater things. As then-Cardinal Ratzinger wrote in 2002, “this is the very way in which reason is freed from dullness and made ready to act.”
Beauty must be the foundation of any true encounter with God, and, I think, of all great action in such a dis-enchanted age.
Why this pilgrimage?
It took me a while to realize it, but most of my own spiritual journey has been built on the beautiful. Whether through wandering in the woods on backyard adventures as a kid, or exploring the depths of the Church’s tradition through photography, my path up the mountain has always been along the Via Pulchritudinis, "the way of beauty.” I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising that I ended up where I have then: as an artist (though always reluctant to use that word), and a Creatio missionary.
Everything I share here, all these letters and photos, is to invite you along the Via Pulchritudinis with me. You will never be on another adventure like it. So, whether you’re Catholic, religious, spiritual, or none, this work is for you. Every single one of us longs for transcendence in some way, and the heart-piercing encounter with Beauty is the “privileged path” that leads to heights we can’t even imagine.
Should you subscribe?
As a free subscriber, you’ll have access to each of my monthly newsletters with updates on missionary life. What I’m up to, the people I meet, and the impact Creatio is having will all be in there. It’s a great way to follow along and see what exactly The Via Pulchritudinis looks like when lived to the fullest.
I do not at this time paywall my posts, and have no intention of doing so in the future. If you would like to support me and my work, you can make a contribution via Substack, but it is not required.
I’m incredibly grateful that you’re here, and hope you reach out in some way.
What else can I do?
Be an apostle of beauty yourself! Wherever you find yourself, whatever your vocation, an exaltation of beauty is the glorification of God and invaluable to your fellow pilgrims. Nobody wants to live in the boring, grey, soulless world of post-modernity. We were made to live lives of great adventure, full of enchanting beauty, and to follow God’s call to the greatness and glory of the saints. It can get pretty bad out there, so pray for each other, pray for me, and do all you can to re-enchant the world along the way.
And reach out! I’d love to hear from all of you about your own pilgrimages, or what you think about my work, or really any thoughts you may have related to the Via Pulchritudinis. This link has everything you may need to contact, support, or heckle me:
in status viae
(in a state of journeying)
-Ryan
