Vermeer in the Light of Faith

 
led by Dom Brendan Thomas 

follow this retreat below


Begin

  • Welcome and Introduction

    Welcome! 


    We don’t really think of Vermeer as a religious painter or a Catholic artist. Yet the man behind The Girl with the Pearl Earring might surprise us. As he shines a graceful light on the everyday, he becomes a good companion to another lockdown, teaching us to live in that same light. 


    I hope you enjoy the retreat set out below.


    There are:

    5 talks of varing length on his Life and Art; and

    3 in-depth reflections on individual paintings.


    There is no charge for this online retreat. But if you find it helpful please consider leaving a donation using the link at the bottom of the page. It really does help us.


    If you want to leave any feedback please feel free to do so - contact here.


    Many blessings to you,

    Fr Brendan


  • Timetable for the day

    Please feel free to join in as little or as much as you are able.


    From 10.15 connect via Zoom to begin at:


    10.30am LIVE  Opening prayers and introduction.


    AM VIDEO REFLECTIONS – Watch at your own time (website).


    12.00 noon LIVE  Mass (Presentation of the Blessed Virgin)  (via Zoom)


    PM VIDEO REFLECTIONS – Watch at your own time (website).


    4.00pm LIVE Connecting together with Zoom for final thoughts, conversation and closing prayer.


    5.55pm LIVE To conclude, Vespers of Christ the King with the community.

  • Prayer

    God is light; there is no darkness in him at all.  

    1 John 1:5


    Almighty God,

      you are all light,

      in you there is no darkness.

    Let your light shine upon us in all its radiance,

      so that we may walk gladly in the way of your commandments.

    Through Christ our Lord.

    Amen


Talk 1:  Pulling back the Curtain

The hidden faith of Johannes Vermeer - his life and times.

Read more: Vermeer's Catholicism (external link) Read more: Time Line (external link)

Talk 2:  The Way the Light Falls

What is there to admire about Vermeer's art?

In Depth 2:  The Art of Attention

A reflection of Vermeer's The Milkmaid

Talk 3:  The World of Interiors

Vermeer's love of the domestic

In Depth 2:  Harmony at Home

A reflection of Vermeer's Christ in the House of Martha and Mary

Talk 4:  The Sphinx of Delft

Enigmas and mysteries in Vermeer's paintings.

In Depth 3:  Everything has Weight

A reflection of Vermeer's Woman Holding a Balance

Talk 5:  Bankrupt and Broken

The struggles of a great artist

Read more: Essential Vermeer Website

Cost

There is no charge for this retreat, but if you have enjoyed this day, please consider leaving a donation.

It is an encouragement to offer more online retreats in the future,
and crucially it helps support out monastic life and mission for the future. 



Donate Here

On the Day with Zoom

On the day there will be videos and material here on this web page for reflection, but can also connect together with Zoom for some human interaction.


To receive the password you will need to subscribe to our Belmont Abbey Retreats email -below, if you have not already done so, at least 24 hours before the event. 


A link and password which will be sent out with a reminder the day before the event.


Retreat Day Timetable

Please feel free to join in as little or as much as you are able.


From 10.15 connect via Zoom to begin at:

10.30am LIVE  Opening prayers and introduction.

    AM VIDEO REFLECTIONS – Watch at your own time (website).

12.00 noon LIVE  Mass (Presentation of the Blessed Virgin)  (via Zoom)

    PM VIDEO REFLECTIONS – Watch at your own time (website).

4.00pm LIVE Connecting together with Zoom for final thoughts, conversation and closing prayer.

5.55pm LIVE To conclude, Vespers of Christ the King with the community.


Zoom Link

At your Convenience

You might prefer to join follow these reflections quietly alone or at a later time of your convenience. We have designed the retreat with all the essential material - videos and material for reflection - available online to make this possible.


This will not be accessible until the the day of the event.



Register for more information

Those who register will receive more detailed instructions on how to connect with Zoom and the format of the day.



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