CATHOLIC-CORE: A LONGING FOR THE SACRED IN AN AGE OF STERILITY

words by ANOUK WOUDT

The verdict is in: Catholicism has officially entered the fashion zeitgeist. With rosaries defining their own micro-trend bubble, we’ve seen religious artefacts depart from their original sacred purpose and ascend to the status of a style symbol. Catholic imagery, in general, has been steadily engulfing our culture with the prevalence of cross necklaces over the past few years. But as the rosary trend spreads, the gateway has been pierced, paving the way for haunting gothic Catholic imagery to wash over the trendscape. With its anciently intricate beauty and its undeniable spirituality, it seems to be resonating with many because, let’s be honest, a lot of us need a little guidance right now. Aesthetics aside, faith is still somewhat low, making this emergence all the more intriguing… Will we actually see a rise in young preachers, or is this obsession just for the sake of fashion? 

image via PINTEREST

After years of awe-struck future-forward thinking, it seems that technology’s envelopment of our culture is finally loosening its grip. In a world that is so intensely digitised, there’s a longing for a time before its reign, especially among younger generations who have never lived through the pre-iPhone years. AI, especially, has taken an intense toll on our modern life, with technology not only serving as a replacement for our bodies but now also our minds. With this comes a culture of rejection and regression, veiled in the cloaks of catholicism: a phenomenon that has repeated itself since the dawn of the machinery’s sterile embrace. There’s something profoundly human about Catholicism that consistently resonates with us during uncertain times; maybe it's because of its deeply rooted history at man’s side, its unchanged nature, community-oriented rituals, or a mix of all of the above.

image via PINTEREST

Back during the days of the Industrial Revolution, a similar trend occurred in response to intense and rapid technological advancements that quickly reshaped the ways of the world. Mass factories, machines, and locomotives left a trail of sterility that gave the youth a yearning for an escape. The incense, ruins, and overall dramaticism of the Gothic church captured the eyes of that era’s young creatives, serving as the perfect contrast to a world filled with steel and wires. 

Now, we see history repeating itself as Catholic-core decorates the front page of Pinterest, followed by an increasing admiration for the aesthetics and rituals of religion. Crosses, white saintly linens, even Jesus himself have made their way into the mainstream, accessorised by intricate Gothic stick-and-pokes and an abundance of lace. D&G’s recent SS27 Menswear show made this comeback clear, topping nearly every look on their runway with a rosary, whether it was peaking out of shirt collars or boldly resting atop printed tees with guady Christian mosaics.

images courtesy of DOLCE & GABBANNA

The visuals also represent an era where beauty reigned supreme, as opposed to the pragmatic minimalism that is slowly replacing all facets of the day-to-day. Mundane objects used to be an excuse for art, whereas nowadays, the functional budget is prioritised in lieu of ornamentation.

But, besides fashion-forward influences, God’s hand seems to have reached past a purely aesthetic purpose. After decades of a steady religious decline in our culture, there’s been a shift lately within this new generation. In harmony with the recent craving for analogue and a pre-digitised world, there is also a craving for community in a society that is becoming increasingly distant, with many finding solace in the confines of Christianity.

Adults have been getting baptised, Sunday mass has a surge in younger visitors, and religion is generally more prevalent than it has been in decades. Though faith is remaining low, it is interesting to see a small upward trend emerging, contradicting the downward spiral that has been swirling since the 17th century. And this reaction feels perfectly logical; humanity is at risk of obsolescence, so we are returning to our core.

In protest of modernity and a computer-based life, Catholicism’s grasp seems to have seeped through to us both in its visuals and its ideology. We’re not saying that we’re expecting Gen-Z to be majority Catholic or anything like that, but it’s undeniable that a fascination with religion has been brewing, despite a culture raised on tarot cards and astrology TikTok. But for now, Catholicism rests on the more decorative side of the spectrum, until we notice a bigger uptick in conversion, but who knows? The seeds have been planted, so it could very well be coming soon.

image via PINTEREST