Becoming a Cultural Mystic with a Sacramental Imagination? Sr Nancy Ussellmann & 'A Sacred Look'
Looking to take your fiction-writing and move-watching to the next level? Join host Dominic and his guest, Sister Nancy Usselmann.
Looking to take your fiction-writing and move-watching to the next level? Join host Dominic and his guest, Sister Nancy Usselmann from the Daughters of St. Paul, as they dive into cultural mysticism, and explore how cultivating a sacred perspective can enhance your writing. Or change your life.
Book: A Sacred Look: Becoming Cultural Mystics
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5497254263
How a Sacred Look Changed My Approach
For about ten years, I struggled to integrate a meaningful spiritual perspective into my work in sci-fi and fantasy. It wasn't until I came across Sister Nancy's book that everything clicked. The book helped me realize that we need fiction that doesn’t just entertain but also cultivates a sacred perspective. This idea is now the backbone of my project, Legend Fiction.
Sister Nancy’s book offered me the framework I was missing. Her approach of reflecting deeply on popular culture and engaging with it, rather than rejecting it outright, resonated with me. It’s something the Catholic publishing space has often struggled with, and I felt like I had finally found an answer to a question I had been grappling with for a decade.
Who is Sister Nancy Usselman?
Sister Nancy is a media literacy education specialist with the Daughters of Saint Paul, a group dedicated to using media for evangelization. Her book, "A Sacred Look: Becoming Cultural Mystics," explores how Christians can become cultural mystics and engage more deeply with popular culture. The book dissects numerous examples from movies and music to illustrate its central idea, making it an invaluable resource for writers and consumers of media alike.
The Importance of a Sacred Perspective
A sacred look is about observing popular culture with a perspective that goes beyond the obvious. It’s about seeing the divine in the everyday and transcending the ordinary to find deeper meanings. This is especially important in genres like fantasy and sci-fi, where themes of good vs. evil, redemption, and human struggle are prevalent.
The Challenges and Opportunities in Catholic Publishing
There’s often a fear in the Catholic publishing space about how to approach sacred themes. This can lead to a reluctance to tackle complex spiritual issues in fiction. Yet, these are the genres I love most, and it’s frustrating to see that they often fall short in incorporating these deeper elements. Sister Nancy's insights show that not only is it possible, but it’s also crucial for a more profound engagement with culture.
The Goals of "A Sacred Look"
The primary aim of Sister Nancy’s book is to encourage deeper reflection on popular culture. The book serves as a guide to becoming cultural mystics, urging us to engage with culture thoughtfully and spiritually. Sister Nancy emphasizes the importance of looking at stories and media reflectively, to understand the underlying human desires and spiritual yearnings they portray.
Engaging with Popular Culture
Recognizing Good and Evil
It's essential to acknowledge the presence of both good and evil in popular culture. Sister Nancy encourages us to discern and recognize the good, even in imperfect or flawed stories. This doesn't mean ignoring the negative aspects but rather seeing beyond them to what the stories can teach us about the human condition.
Themes in Popular Stories
Sister Nancy points out that popular culture often grapples with themes like purpose, meaning, and human connection. These are core aspects of the human experience that art seeks to explore, even if we don't always discuss them openly.
Genres that Explore Deep Themes
Fantasy and sci-fi are particularly effective at exploring complex themes explicitly. They allow for a creative and imaginative exploration of issues like good vs. evil, sacrifice, and redemption. These genres unearth human struggles and yearnings, making them ideal for stories that aim to cultivate a sacred look.
Human Connection and Community
Stories in these genres often emphasize connection, community, and love. They highlight the importance of working together and seeking intimacy, which are fundamental human needs. This focus on community aligns perfectly with the idea of cultivating a sacred perspective.
Developing a Sacred Perspective as Creators
As creators, our role is to reflect deeply on the culture and incorporate a sacred perspective into our storytelling. This isn’t about preaching or pushing a specific message but rather telling compelling stories that naturally embody Catholic values.
Avoiding Preachiness
It's crucial to avoid being overtly preachy. The focus should be on creating engaging stories that inspire and transform. Subtlety and depth are more effective than overt messaging, as they allow readers to draw their own insights and reflections.
Definition and Significance
Mysticism is an encounter with the Divine that transforms us. In Christian terms, it's a relationship with the Trinity that changes how we see the world and interact with others. Unlike secular or new age mysticism, Christian mysticism involves a deep, transformative relationship with God.
Trinitarian Encounter
This transformative relationship with the Trinity gives us a new perspective on life. Once we've had this encounter, we can't look at the world the same way. We’re called to communicate this love and transformation to the world, becoming missionary disciples within a media culture.
Mediation of the Divine
A sacred look involves understanding how God mediates His presence through tangible elements. Movies like "The Hunger Games" and "Avengers: Endgame" use symbols to convey deeper meanings about sacrifice and redemption. These elements help us see the divine in the ordinary.
Exploration of Symbolism and Sacramentality
Symbols in storytelling can add layers of meaning and depth. Sister Nancy cites directors like Terrence Malick, whose films like "The Tree of Life" use symbolism to explore the spiritual journey. These stories challenge viewers to look beyond the surface and reflect more deeply.
Unconscious Sacramental Imagination
Filmmakers often incorporate sacred themes unconsciously. Movies with inherent sacramentality can reveal deeper truths about humanity, even if the filmmakers didn’t intend to convey a religious message. This shows how deeply ingrained these concepts are in our storytelling traditions.
Redemption and Transformation
Themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and human goodness are prevalent in many stories. These elements reflect deeper truths about our nature and our ultimate yearning for God. They show that even in our brokenness, there’s always a glimmer of hope.
Catholic Imagination in Storytelling
Three Characteristics of Catholic Imagination:
Sacramental Vision
God’s presence is seen through tangible elements in the world. Examples include the use of water and fire in movies to symbolize purification and transformation.
Mediation
God mediates His presence through creation. This impacts storytelling by adding layers of meaning and depth that reflect our spiritual journey.
Communion
Redemption is not just individual but communal. Stories that emphasize community help us understand our need for one another and our shared journey towards salvation.
Importance of Authentic Humanity
Focusing on what is authentically human helps avoid dehumanizing narratives. It's essential to tell stories that respect human dignity and highlight the potential for goodness and transformation.
Conclusion
Cultivating a sacred look in popular media is about seeing beyond the surface to the deeper spiritual truths. It involves recognizing the good, understanding the role of mediation, and emphasizing the importance of community. As writers and creators, our challenge is to produce stories that inspire and transform, reflecting the sacred in the ordinary.
For those interested in exploring these ideas further, Sister Nancy’s book, "A Sacred Look: Becoming Cultural Mystics," is available on paulinestore.com. Additionally, if you're a writer looking to connect with others who share these values, check out the Legend Fiction community.
Keep reflecting deeply, keep writing, and let’s continue to engage with culture in a way that cultivates the sacred look.