Churches, Cultural Enticement and Display

The Catholic Church appealed to the senses, as well as — or instead of — the intellect. Even in using the Word, and commenting on the Word, preachers summoned up images, just as the Spiritual Exercises encouraged visualisation. If some early Catholic Reformers wanted simplicity, clarity and asceticism, much of the Catholic reforming effort from the later sixteenth century encouraged both spiritual uplift and education through the eyes and ears. The church environment should be fit for hearing and seeing; paintings be narratives to educate, or visual encouragement to contemplation; statues would enhance the cults of old and new Saints; music should move the soul, and accentuate the emotion of key words. Outside the churches a religious community spirit could be celebrated by colourful and noisy musical processions. The faithful were entertained and enticed by singing, theatrical action or display. This chapter will consider some aspects of the sensual and environmental enticement, education and occasionally fearful admonition. Rome in particular, under the papal leadership of especially Sixtus V, Paul V, Urban VIII and Alexander VII, was at the forefront of an expensive campaign to conquer through display and involvement. Alexander VII in particular wanted Rome to be seen as the Religious Theatre for the Catholic Church.1