I could say that sacred art inspires me.
But the truth is, it's much more than that.
It has always been a part of me.
Long before Atelier Saturne.
Long before jewelry.
Long before I could even explain what I felt.
Let me be clear: I am agnostic.
I don't have a religion, strictly speaking.
But I know that something exists.
A gentle presence. A protective energy. Something watching over me. I have faith.
Are they angels? An invisible force? I don't know.
And I deliberately choose not to name it, because I myself don't know what it is. And because, sometimes, not knowing is just as well.
For me, it is in this hazy and profoundly magical space that sacred art takes on its full meaning.
The call of the churches, since childhood
When I was little, on holiday with my parents, I always had the same reflex: to go into churches.
It didn't matter the country, the region, the village. I was drawn to these places, almost instinctively.
It wasn't religion that was calling me.
That was the atmosphere.
The scent of warm wax and incense . The silence, never truly empty. The flickering candles . The gilding, patinated by time. The statues with gentle faces. The coolness of the stone.
These feelings have remained etched in my memory.
Even today, they affect me in the same way.
In Quebec, the Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs church in Verdun is one of those places where I immediately feel something. A sense of peace. A presence.
These scents and this atmosphere even inspired Arcane , Atelier Saturne's home fragrance line. A way to recreate this feeling of refuge, silence, and protection, but in everyday life.
As a child, I used to visit these places with my family. Today, I often find myself going into a church alone. For no particular reason. Just because I feel the need.
The Virgin Mary: a universal figure of protection
The Virgin Mary is omnipresent in sacred art. And that's no coincidence.
Beyond any belief, she embodies something profoundly human: protection. Gentleness. A reassuring presence.
She does not judge. She watches over.
In Marseille, she is known as Notre-Dame de la Garde , the Good Mother. Standing above the city, facing the sea, she protects sailors, travelers, and families. Even without belief, one understands this age-old practice: placing a protective figure at the highest point, to watch over those below.
Near Quebec City, in Sainte-Anne-de-BeauprĂ© , another powerful female figure stands out: Saint Anne, the mother of Mary. In sacred art, she symbolizes transmission, roots, and healingâa protection passed down from generation to generation.
Mary Magdalene, in Saint-Maximin: the revelation
In Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume , in the south of France, I was deeply amazed.
Realizing a few months ago that a place known worldwide by pilgrims, where the relics of Mary Magdalene rest, was right there, just a few steps from my home, was a shock.
The basilica is majestic, inhabited, as moving as those I visited in Scotland. But it was there, in my corner of the country.
Mary Magdalene deeply moves me. A free woman. An outsider. Long misunderstood. A strong, sensitive, powerfully human female figure. An energy that disturbs, that breaks the mold, and yet transcends the centuries.
It was a strange feeling: as if this place was confirming something I already carried within me.
Joan of Arc: faith, courage and intuition
There is another figure from sacred art and history who deeply inspires me: Joan of Arc .
Jeanne is not a gentle figure in the classical sense. She is neither maternal nor silent. She is young, determined, filled with immense inner faith, guided by an intuition she has chosen to listen to at all costs.
What moves me about her is not the religious or political narrative, but her inner strength. Joan of Arc embodies the courage to follow one's inner voice, even when no one understands it. Even when it's unsettling. Even when it's frightening.
It represents a very particular form of faith: a faith in what one feels is deeply right. A faith in one's personal mission. A faith in something greater than oneself, without always being able to explain it.
In sacred art, Joan of Arc is often depicted in armor, sword in hand, her gaze raised. She embodies a strong, upright, indomitable feminine energy. An energy that protects, but also that fights.
She reminds me that spirituality is not always gentle or silent. It can be ardent, committed, and above all, embodied.
Moreover, it sits proudly in the cottage on a magnificent tapestry.
Our Lady of Guadalupe: gentleness, identity and protection
In Mexico, Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most visually powerful Marian figures.
His image is unique: the matte skin, the starry coat, the humble posture.
She has become a symbol of protection, identity, and gentleness for an entire people. Even without knowing her story, her image speaks volumes. It reassures. It envelops.
That's exactly what I'm looking for in sacred art.
The cross: an ancient, powerful and universal symbol
The cross is found everywhere. Long before Christianity. In different cultures. Among the Vikings. In art. In fashion. In the rock'n'roll movement.
Many have worn it without even knowing its origin.
For me, the cross is a powerful symbol. It reminds me of stabilization and anchoring.
It is also a demanding symbol. It commands a presence. And that is precisely why I like it.
Sacred hearts: love, strength and protection
Sacred hearts occupy a central place in my universe.
They represent love.
A strong, resilient love. A love that protects.
Visually powerful, they speak directly to the heart. They are full of emotion, faith, sometimes pain, but above all, light.
Atelier Saturne lucky charm necklaces
How can I not talk about my lucky charm necklaces ?
Each one is made up of seven religious charms .
The number seven is not chosen at random. It is present in many cultures, associated with protection, balance, and the sacred.
These necklaces are designed as modern talismans. Objects that one wears to feel reassured, protected, accompanied.
They are not there to convert. They are there to watch over.
Creating with religious symbols in Quebec: a sensitive choice
Using religious symbols in Quebec is not insignificant.
The province has a heavy religious history. There is a legacy and there are wounds.
Painful memories that many would like to forget (and rightly so!!)
I am deeply aware of this reality.
Creating jewelry with religious charms here is risky. The risk of being misunderstood. The risk of stirring up sensitive issues.
But for me, sacred art is not limited to that past.
It can also be restorative and soothing.
Freed from control, judgment, and fear.
I choose to reinterpret it with gentleness, respect, and intention.
The artists and houses that inspire me
I am not alone in feeling this calling.
Contemporary brands and designers are reinventing sacred art with sensitivity and poetry. Among them:
Voglio Bene , Bon CĆur , House of 19 , Ave Maria CrĂ©ation... to name just a few.
These universes dictate nothing. They offer suggestions. They allow for feelings.
Loving sacred art without believing
One can love sacred art without belonging to a religion.
One can wear a medal without praying.
We can feel without explaining.
Humans have always sought to feel protected, connected, and supported.
And perhaps, in the end, that's exactly what matters .
Cindy
Saturn Workshop