Thoughts from touring Artist Rosemary Williams.

Heres what I’d like to say:

**A Plea for Sacred Silence**

Standing in the Basilica of Mary Magdalene and the Notre Dame Cathedral, I am struck by a profound sadness—witnessing how little reverence many show for the sacred silence and devotion these spaces demand.

As artists, we understand that art is not merely an object to behold, but a vessel for transcendence—an invitation to step beyond ourselves and into the sublime.

In the hallowed halls of cathedrals and basilicas, time itself seems to bow in reverence. These are not mere monuments of stone, art and stained glass, but places of contemplation, where whispers of prayer and centuries of devotion linger in the air.

Too often, the sacred hush is broken—by careless chatter, the intrusive click of cameras, or the clamor of hurried footsteps. One must wonder: have we forgotten how to listen to silence? To stand in awe of something greater than ourselves?

These spaces were built to lift the soul, to offer respite from the noise of the world. Let us honor them as they deserve—with quiet footsteps, hushed voices, and hearts open to the beauty of stillness. For in the silence, we might just hear the echo of the divine.

*Respect the sacred. Embrace the silence.*

Post from first experience by Anthony Surpa

I've heard that there is an African Cathecism that says "God created us because he thought we would like it". I am inclined to agree. Reflecting on my first day in Sainte-Baume it occurred to me that my life has been a long strange ride. I've been all around the world, seen many marvelous things, endured many sufferings, received many blessings. Today was a wonderful blessing.

My trip to France seemed to be fraught with many hurdles. The night before we left my electrical panel caught fire and nearly burnt my home to the ground with my children in it, and every step of the way was a road block. As though something didn't want me to come here.

This morning was the last bit of it. But once we arrived, it has been only blessings. I met the group of artists who are touring with us, stumbled into a stunning town out of "Beauty and the Beast", placed my art in the sanctuary of a gorgeous church that houses the relics of Mary Magdalene in the town where her earthly life ended, and got to put my prints of my work in two local galleries.

It's been a bit of a whirlwind. This old church is heart crushingly beautiful. It's difficult not to weep when inside it, as its columns and arches raise you to heaven and its beautiful Baroque and Renaissance art make you gasp.

To stand in front of the skull of the woman who Christ cast 7 demons out of and went on to be the first person to learn first hand of Christ's bodily resurrection is profoundly moving. A real faith, real people, real places, an incarnate religion. One that can be touched, tasted, smelled, heard, seen. There is no once upon a time or in a galaxy far far away here. Just mysterious concrete reality. It has been a good day. One, frankly, that is undeserved. I am read for tomorrow.

God Bless

Tony Suppa

Europe Day 1!!

A Dream Come True: Exhibiting at the Sanctuary of St. Maximin

After years of dreaming, I, Paul Grass, finally arrived at the majestic Sanctuary of St. Maximin—the traditional resting place of St. Mary Magdalene. The grandeur of this sacred space was even more overwhelming than I expected. It has a deeply spiritual aura, and it’s clear that the locals hold this place in the highest regard.

Upon checking in at our hotel, I spoke with the manager about the Mary Magdalene Festival and whether Mary's bones were indeed kept here. With unwavering conviction, he responded, "She lived here," which touched me deeply. The faith of the people here is palpable.

The Sanctuary is just a minute’s walk from our hotel, and I was fortunate enough to meet Father Racine, who welcomed us with open arms. He was incredibly supportive of our mission and graciously allowed us to exhibit our artwork in the third most important grave in the world. The honor of showcasing our collection here, in such a sacred place, was truly humbling.

As I set up the display, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the thoughtful tablecloths my in-laws had gifted me. They brought an added touch of warmth to our setup, and I was excited to share our collection with visitors from around the world who were paying their respects to this holy site.

During my morning at the Sanctuary, I had the pleasure of meeting a seminarian from Spain who is eager to help us in the future. There’s such a buzz of positive energy here, and it feels like something very special is unfolding.

Afterward, I went to pick up two more artists, Rosemary and Kasie, for the next leg of the journey. The day took an unexpected turn when we ran into some trouble with our electric car, but thankfully, all worked out in the end.

I am beyond grateful for this experience and for the support of my family, who have been unwavering in their encouragement. Though I miss them, I truly believe this is a mission worth pursuing. And to top it all off, we now have a store right next to the Basilica consigning my prints! God is good!

Stay tuned for more updates on our journey. This is just the beginning.

Your's in Christ

Paul Grass

Bible Art Tour 2025 Blog

Check in here daily for a report on this year’s international Bible Art Tour starting July 12th at our opening in Saratoga Springs before we go to Europe!