The Rise of the Catholic Aesthetic

SOURCES Theology & History of Images: – Second Council of Nicaea (787): English translations and summaries on New Advent and scholarly/primary compilations; veneration vs. worship distinction. New AdventWikipedia – Council of Trent (1563), Session 25, on sacred images: “images of Christ, the Virgin Mother of God, and the other saints, are to be had and retained… the honor shown them is referred to the prototypes.” Hanover College History Department – Catechism sections on sacred images/veneration (official Vatican site). TikTok Fashion & Cultural Crossovers: – Met’s Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination (2018) and coverage/controversy. catholicculture.org – Vogue’s discussion of rosary-inspired jewelry in the Met moment. Vogue – Longstanding Catholic motifs in fashion (e.g., Dolce & Gabbana’s Sicily-inspired couture). Vogue TikTok “core” culture & aesthetics: – TIME and Refinery29 explain corecore and the “core” naming ecosystem. TIMERefinery29 – Academic/para-academic takes on corecore and authenticity. ResearchGateGNET Conclave-core / 2025 spike: – Washington Post on how the 2025 conclave became a meme-able, high-engagement online event; “Pope Crave” fandom; pop-culture scaffolding from Conclave (2024) and prestige TV. The Washington Post – Axios on TikTok’s “conclave-core” moment and contrasts with 2013. Axios – The Guardian’s fashion-culture take on “divine dressing” after the new pope. The Guardian Nuance around rosaries & sacramentals in fashion: – EWTN and Catholic Answers on wearing rosaries (intention, reverence, not merely jewelry). EWTN Global Catholic Television NetworkCatholic Answers – Catholic News Agency’s “myths & facts” piece: no explicit ban, but typical guidance discourages necklace-style wearing as adornment. Catholic News Agency – Teen Vogue’s analysis of rosaries as fashion and cultural/religious appropriation critiques. Teen Vogue EXAMPLE TATTOOS 1. Bad Cat Club (insta) 2 & 3. Come To Sister (insta) Instagram: @mollygpokes TikTok: @mollyg.pokes