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The Spiritual Practice of Photography
Religious & Ethics Newsweekly on PBS recently aired an episode about Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB, of the Abbey of Saint Benedict located on the campus of Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
Abbot Senecal is a photographer and says that in the midst of his life of prayer and contemplation he has found a spiritual practice in photography.
“Taking photographs reminds me of the positive. Monastic mindfulness is pursuing what Benedict taught about being aware daily of your presence of God with you and in the world. It’s mindfulness of creation and of sharing that with others….
Watered by Father Joaquim, a photo by Abbot Senecal
I am nourished by taking pictures. Yes, it’s a spiritual exercise in that I don’t just take a picture and store it. I will reflect on it. Entering into these moments of photograph is a conviction that I’m seeing something that I didn’t make, the other person didn’t make. It’s there, it’s there because it’s part of God’s creation….
A quick camera shot, up close, holds that beauty before me. I don’t own such beauty. No one does. It is the Creator’s forever, and mine for now, and I share it with you.”
Abbot Senecal often takes photos of his fellow monks, with each photograph telling a story not only about the man but about the way of monastic life.
Watch the video of Judy Valente’s interview with Abbot Senecal at Photographer Monk (September 10, 2010). And don’t miss the link to the Extended Interview with Abbot Senecal in which the abbot reflects on the Psalms, prayer, photography, and the Benedictine desire “to seek God daily.”
See a gallery of Abbot Senecal’s photos on the website of his community.
What sparks your imagination as you read about Abbot Senecal? What “ordinary” activity such as photography is or might be your spiritual practice?
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Truly, photography is like a message from God. For me, especially flowers or nature, both gifts from our Lord. But photos of people or buildings, everything we can see are gifts from God in this world He created. And sometimes photos allow you a glimpse into the soul, through eyes and facial expressions. But think of patterns on a leaf, the folds of a rose, dew on a daisy or blade of grass, a butterfly or insect, beautiful and wonderful architecture, a well designed automobile, really anything that pleases the photographers eye. These are all gifts from God, His grace shared with us.
This post from Sister Julie puts me in mind of the scripture passage from Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever”