Our Lady of Montserrat

In 2002, while visiting Barcelona, Spain, I went to the shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat, one of the Black Madonna's of Europe. According to legend, the statue was carved by St. Luke and brought to Spain by St. James. It was hidden in a cave when Spain was occupied by the Moors and it mysteriously reappeared in 890. Because it could not be moved, the church was buiilt around it. Many miracles have been attributed to it. St. Ignatius Loyola had his conversion experience at this shrine before founding the Jesuits and Christopher Columbus made a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Montserrat before embarking on his journey to the New World. It is an incredibly beautiful shrine on a mountain top in Spain. This colored pencil drawing of her is one of my earliest works and it's very primitive, but I wanted to honor the Blessed Mother on the eve of the Assumption by posting it here and sharing it with you.

Our Lady of Mt Carmel

I just finished this painting today to honor Our Lady of Mt Carmel and to have it ready for her feast day on July 16th.    I have been praying novenas to her, at all different times of the year, and have received many answers to my prayers.  She never fails me.    Here is the prayer that I have been saying.

O most beautiful flower of Mt Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven,  Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity.   (Mention your need).

O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my mother.

O holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in this necessity.   There are none that can stand your power.   O show me herein you are my mother.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (say three times)

Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands. (say three times)   Amen

Our Lady of La Salette

"Come near my children, do not be afraid, I am here to tell you the good news."

These were Mary's first words to two children when she appeared at La Salette in the French Alps on September 19, 1846.

Mother of the God of Tenderness Icon

Since Mary was declared the mother of God at the Council of Ephesus in 431, iconographers have depicted her holding the child Jesus. He often has his cheek pressed affectionately to hers and the love is so evident between them. The art of the Middle Ages didn't show musculature, shadows or perspective, but it certainly showed holiness. The icons were written (not painted) using a formula that emphasized the spirituality of the image rather than the realism that was developed during the Renaissance. The artists didn't even sign their icons because they didn't consider themselves to be important. God was the important one! I love icons and what they represent and I loved painting my version of the Mother of the God of Tenderness.

Our Lady of Fatima

The Divine Mercy Image

The tomb is empty . . .