An art book released this week fuses literature, painting, photography and spirituality just in time for the reflective time of Lent.

Via Crucis, a publication by the Divine Mercy Shrine in San Pawl tat-Tarġa, is based on the paintings of the Stations of the Cross found at the church, each accompanied by meditations prepared by Fr Peter Serracino Inglott.

The publication, according to the shrine’s rector, Fr Michael Agius, is meant to put on record “two great masterpieces Fr Serracino Inglott’s Lenten reflections and Austin Camilleri’s modern sacred art.

The works, painted as if they were long-exposure photographs of moving subjects, initially had an uncertain reception. “People in Malta had been accustomed to baroque art and, believe me, it was not easy to persuade the Church’s Sacred Art Commission to introduce this modern approach,” Fr Agius said.

After long discussions, the commission gave a unanimous approval for “this great artistic oeuvre”, fully confident it served a purpose – the cult of the sacred in the contemporary age.

Fr Agius said the book presented an “excellent opportunity for Catholics to help them in their cult”.

Mr Camilleri’s paintings, donated to the church by the Bonello Ghio family, were photographed by Florence-based photographer Daniel Cilia.

The book, edited by Fr Agius, includes two critical essays on the paintings by Lara Bugeja and Charlene Vella. The foreword was penned by US Ambassador Douglas Kmiec and the introduction was written by the late President Emeritus Guido de Marco.

Fr Serracino Inglott’s meditations were also translated in English by Fiona Navarro.

Via Crucis was printed by Nova Arte Editrice Publications in Florence and will be available at the shrine by the end of the week.