Regarding media, the Second Vatican Council taught that…
“the laity especially must strive to instill a human and Christian spirit into these media, so that they may fully measure up to the great expectations of mankind and to God's design.”
- Inter Mirifica, 3
Incarnate Mysteries Catholic Photography is a response to this call of the Council because...
photography is necessary for EVANGELIZATION
in the modern, digital, and visual world.
Whether it be for a website, promotion cards or brochures, bulletins, or social media graphics, Catholic apostolates need high quality digital photography in their efforts to reveal the living water of the Savior to modern man, who is thirsting at the well of digital media (cf. John 4:1-39).
“Our century is characterized by the mass media or means of social communication, and the first proclamation, catechesis or the further deepening of faith cannot do without these means, as we have already emphasized. When they are put at the service of the Gospel, they are capable of increasing almost indefinitely the area in which the Word of God is heard; they enable the Good News to reach millions of people. The Church would feel guilty before the Lord if she did not utilize these powerful means that human skill is daily rendering more perfect.”
- POPE ST. PAUL VI
Evangelii Nuntiandi §45
We follow media principles
laid out by the Magisterium:
1. Media Competency
“It is clearly realized that these ‘powerful instruments’ require specific skills and disciplines on the part of those who use them, and that to communicate intelligibly in these ‘new languages’ there is a need for both special aptitudes and appropriate training.”
- POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II
26th World Communications Day: The Proclamation of Christ's Message in the Communications Media
2. Doctrinal Training
“We paternally exhort Catholics qualified by their learning, sound doctrine, and knowledge of the arts to turn their attention to this new art and give their active cooperation, so that whatever advantages tradition and true progress have contributed to the mind’s development may be also employed in full measure.”
- POPE PIUS XII
Miranda Prorsus: Encyclical on Motion Pictures, Radio, and Television
Pius XII was addressing television, but the principle applies to all forms of media (cf. Inter Mirifica, 15).
3. Moral Responsibility
“At the very age when the moral sense is being formed and when the notions and sentiments of justice and rectitude, of duty and obligation and of ideals of life are being developed, the motion picture with its direct propaganda assumes a position of commanding influence.”
- POPE PIUS XI
Vigilanti Cura: Encyclical on the Motion Picture
Pius XI was addressing film, but the principle applies to all forms of visual media (cf. Inter Mirifica, 11).
4. Respect for Church Authority
“It is the duty of Pastors to instruct and guide the faithful so that they, with the help of these same media, may further the salvation and perfection of themselves and of the entire human family...It will be the task of the Bishops, however, to watch over such works and undertakings in their own dioceses, to promote them and, as far as the public apostolate is concerned, to guide them.”
- VATICAN II
Inter Mirifica: Decree on the Media of Social Communications