The Basilica of St. Mary Institute for Faith and Culture Presents:

Beauty and the Beast, an Exploration of the Power of Beauty 

Part 1 of 5

With Fr. James Searby 

This first episode of Beauty and the Beast opens with one of the most unforgettable scenes in The Shawshank Redemption, where a single piece of music breaks open a prison and reminds hardened men that their souls are still alive. From there, we explore what beauty actually does to the human heart, why it stirs hope, and how it can lift us beyond the walls of our own routine and cynicism. Drawing on art history, architecture, philosophy, childhood wonder, and everyday encounters with beauty, Fr. James Searby lays out the story of how our culture drifted from a world shaped by transcendent beauty into a landscape that often feels flat and utilitarian. More importantly, he shows why beauty matters now more than ever, and how it can become an entry point for renewal, depth, and authentic encounter with God. This episode sets the foundation for the whole series, inviting you to slow down, look again, and rediscover the freedom and hope that beauty awakens in every soul.