Welcome!
I’m Maddy, I’m an artist missionary who’s passionate about both inner & outer vision.
Outer vision being what we see in the world around us, our physical perception, the beauty before our eyes.
While by inner vision I mean the way we perceive things. The way our brains are wired to notice certain things; the inner places of our hearts where we hold beliefs, which in turn influence the way we think & operate.
The eyes of the heart form the perception which comes from the very center of our spiritual self.
Our outer vision influences our inner vision, when our circumstances and the places we choose to sustain our gaze form the way we think about the world and ourselves, and the way we think about God.
There’s a bit of a cycle too, because our inner vision causes us to look for things it knows as familiar, and so our inner vision colors the world around us and can actually trap us in a spiritual blindness, preventing us from seeing reality as it is.
My family and I are launching Sacramental Vision Ministries-
For the restoration of both inner and outer vision, in an authentically Catholic sacramental worldview.
A sacramental worldview is one that is deeply in tune with reality.
And when I say “deep” I really mean “past surface level”, where the things we perceive in the world point to deeper spiritual realities. Its vision through the lens of eternity & the promises of God.
You see, the human person was made to be the spiritual pinnacle of creation: From CCC 355: Man occupies a unique place in creation: (I) he is "in the image of God"; (II) in his own nature he unites the spiritual and material worlds…
And through the New Covenant in Christ, God dwells in the innermost depths of the heart of mankind.
God promises restoration to his original plan - that we would become a living image of God.
And he promises renewal - that we would be transformed from the inside out, as God places his own heart within us.
Through this gift we now have the potential to see with God’s eyes. To perceive reality - who God is, and who we are in turn.
However, due to our fallen nature, we still see from a fragmented, spiritually blind worldview. “Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we shall see face to face” (1 Cor. 13:12).
Our entire earthly lives are a pilgrimage towards the restoration of true vision.
HOW DOES SACRAMENTAL VISION MINISTRIES AID IN THIS SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE?
We partner with artists to provide contemplative visual spaces which are training grounds for practicing sacramental vision.
We put on visually immersive retreats and events, bringing theology & the arts together to provide a backdrop for you and the Lord to go deep in restoration of the heart.
We develop resources for prayer, with an emphasis on sacramental vision, recognizing it is God himself who brings about spiritual renewal and the best we can do is provide spaces to help you encounter him.
We live in a distracted and hurried world. Yet beneath the noise, God is present—inviting us to slow down, pay attention, and recover our capacity to see.
Sacramental Vision Ministries exists to come alongside you in the work of renewal God is doing in your heart - through beauty, contemplation, & practice of prayer.
PROJECTS:
RESOURCES FOR PRAYER
A GUIDE TO VISIO DIVINA: PRAYING WITH THE EYES OF THE HEART, IS A PRACTICAL MINI GUIDE TO PRAYING WITH ART & YOUR SURROUNDINGS.
IT ALSO TEACHES ABOUT ‘SACRAMENTAL VISION’ AND HOW WE CAN BEGIN CULTIVATING IT.
FULLY ALIVE RETREATS
The first core initiative we plan to develop OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR is Fully Alive retreats, where artists will present their work in an environment designed for contemplative engagement.
these immersive retreats will invite guests to slow down, cultivate wonder, pray with their surroundings, and learn to see with renewed eyes. Our hope is that, through beauty, participants will become more deeply attuned to the Lord's presence and His ongoing work of renewal within themselves and in the world.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
My family and I fundraise our salary, as well as project funds, to develop and launch our initiatives.
Right now we’re in a fundraising sprint, growing our support team so that we can go from doing this work part-time to full-time.
As support grows, we will be able to devote ourselves fully to creating experiences and resources that help participants cultivate attentiveness to God’s presence. Your financial partnership provides for our family of five as we build this ministry, while also funding larger projects, including Fully Alive retreats.
We’ve partnered with Xavier Mission Fund, a 501(c)(3), to help manage our funds and enable your gift to be tax deductible!
The link below brings you to my sign-up page with XMF and provides more details about how you can become a supporter today.