Discovering God's beauty in the mundane

Tell me about yourself: 
My name is Kat Torreano, I am from Escanaba and my home parish is St. Anne’s. I moved to Marquette about five years ago to attend NMU and currently live in Marquette. In December 2019, I graduated with a degree in Art and Design and a minor in Marketing. I am currently searching for a job in photography. My hobbies include reading, journaling, watercolor painting and drawing, thrifting, singing and tennis.

You run your own photography business, does your faith life impact how you approach your work?
Yes, I do believe my faith does influence my artistic process. Simply put, God is all things beauty and art is beauty. Even if art is “ugly,” as in not pleasing to the eye, there is still beauty and grace being expressed through the maker. A couple of reasons God gifts artists with talents is so they can bring beauty to the world and approach sensitive topics healthily and effectively. In my process, I am currently exploring the mundane and overlooked. I search for subject matter to photograph that is somehow boring to the average eye, but I am able to transform it into a work of art. Taking a minute to slow down and appreciate the ordinary beauty all around and to acknowledge God’s presence while doing so has been one of the most therapeutic experiences of my life.

Do you have a favorite devotion or saint?
Right now, St. Joseph is my favorite saint to pray with. I first became interested in him when I heard of the good outcomes people have had when praying with him. He is often overlooked but was a very important figure in Jesus’s life; it then makes sense that it is worth asking for his intercession. I have noticed that as I have been praying with St. Joseph, I have felt a calling to grow in a deeper relationship with the Virgin Mother. I believe I have received beautiful blessings so far!

What have you been doing to continue to grow in faith during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Right before the pandemic started, my dad gave me the “Pieta Prayer Book” and I have developed a routine of praying several prayers in that book every day. I also like to pray to St. Dymphna. She is the patron saint of people with anxiety – and I fall into that category of people! – especially during such uncertain times. 

What is an issue that the Catholic Church supports that you are passionate about and why that issue in particular?
I am passionate about the right to life! All life should be respected no matter how young or old an individual is. As Christians we need to advocate for the defenseless. As a woman, I am firm in saying my rights to my body and right to exercise those rights do not include the right to harming or killing another human body.

Do you have any advice for Catholics young and old?
Stay faithful, trust in the Lord and pray!