Saint Ignatius of Loyola: New Catholic Tribute

St. Ignatius of Loyola by Artist Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr.com

News excerpt from the artists website:

A new tribute to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, created on his Feast Day - July 31, 2017 - by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley. Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish priest born in Azpetia, Spain in 1471, passing on July 31, 1556 in Rome, Italy. He founded the Society of Jesus.

The British artist is a devout Catholic convert and often feels what he calls a 'Divine Push' to paint tributes to Jesus, Our Lady and The Saints on significant landmark years or Feast Days - and to share them.

Dependent on prayer, especially to the Holy Spirit - his 2013 exhibition at London's Westminster Cathedral was called "Paintings From Prayer".

The eclectic work of Stephen B. Whatley is in collections worldwide and public collections including BBC Heritage, London Transport Museum, Newman University (UK), Westminster Cathedral, The Royal Collection of HM Queen Elizabeth II & The Carrollton School of The Sacred Heart, Miami, USA - whilst his series of 30 paintings commissioned by the Tower of London in 2000 are permanently reproduced throughout Tower Hill Underpass, outside Tower Hill Station - the main entrance to the Tower of London.

St. Ignatius Prayer for help with Depression:

O Christ Jesus
When all is darkness
And we feel our weakness and helplessness,
Give us the sense of Your Presence,
Your Love and Your Strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
In Your protecting love
And strengthening power,
So that nothing may frighten or worry us,
For, living close to You,
We shall see Your Hand,
Your Purpose, Your Will through all things.

St. Ignatius of Loyola - Painted in 2017 by Stephen B. Whatley
Pastel on paper, 23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 42cm

www.stephenbwhatley.com

Our Lady of Las Vegas

By Stephen B. Whatley

"Our Lady of Las Vegas," a new (Catholic) tribute drawing in pastel, created with prayers for hope and light for the USA and the world, on December 20, 2016.

I was touched by a children's book that I bought in America last month, entitled Mary and The 50 States; which includes reference to the Church of the Guardian Angels on the Strip in Las Vegas; where an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary shines out from a stained glass window...has anyone seen it?

I have tried researching.

I liked the idea of bright spiritual light amongst the city of neon lights and shallow deals; not forgetting that Las Vegas is also a beautiful sunny desert region.
May all who view this image of the Holy Mother and Child receive gifts of light, hope and healing, wherever needed.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

About the artist: Stephen B. Whatley is an expressionist painter, published in TIME magazine, whose major commissions include architectural paintings for public institutions including the BBC, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London – where his work is permanently reproduced throughout Tower Hill Underpass at Tower Hill. He has been presented to HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in recognition of his work.

www.stephenbwhatley.com

***

Commentary by Loci B. Lenar

Stephen B. Whatley is recognized internationally for his Catholic and Christian tributes. Mr. Whatley is a resident of England (UK). However, his paintings and prints are collected all over the world including the USA. I wish to thank Mr. Whatley for sharing his beautiful artwork on our blog and website, www.Christian-Miracles.com.

Tribute to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton



By Stephen B. Whatley

By Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr.com

A new tribute drawing of the first native-born citizen of the USA to be made a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church: Elizabeth Ann Seton (New York, 1774 –1821).

She established the first Catholic school in the nation, at Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she founded the first American congregation of Religious Sisters, the Sisters of Charity; which would go on to open orphanages in Philadelphia & New York City.

Elizabeth Ann Seton suffered many trials in her life including the early loss of her mother; and her tenderness and love for All God's Creatures is symbolized in this work, one of several baby birds she was said to have saved in childhood.

Her sainthood was ensured by three miracles of healing she performed: two of cancer and one of encephalitis. She is the Patron Saint of Catholic Schools.

Elizabeth Ann Seton was beatified on March 17, 1963, by Pope John XXIII who said on the occasion, “In a house that was very small, but with ample space for charity, she sowed a seed in America which by Divine Grace grew into a large tree.”

When she was canonized on September 14, 1975 in a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square, Rome, Pope Paul VI said, “Elizabeth Ann Seton is a saint. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is an American. All of us say this with special joy, and with the intention of honoring the land and the nation from which she sprang forth as the first flower in the calendar of the saints. Elizabeth Ann Seton was wholly American! Rejoice for your glorious daughter. Be proud of her. And know how to preserve her fruitful heritage.”

 

This drawing, inspired by prayer & various historical images, was created on the Feast Day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: January 4, 2014.

Peace.

 

Charcoal on paper
23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 41cm

Stephen B. Whatley Gallery

A Tribute to Saint Cecilia

St. Cecilia

Saint Cecilia by Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr.com

News excerpt from the website of the artist:

A new tribute painting of Saint Cecilia, Patron Saint of Musicians and Church Music - painted by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley on the 48th anniversary of his baptism in London, September 5, 2013.

It is said Cecilia, born in Rome in the 2nd century AD, "sang in her heart to the Lord" as the musicians played at her wedding - which inspired the liveliness of this painting.

Peace, Joy of Hope and Blessings.

Oil on canvas
27.5 x 19.5in/70 x 50cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

A Tribute to Pope Francis

Pope Francis by Stephen B. Whatley

A Christian Tribute by International artist Stephen B Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

A new tribute to the humility of His Holiness Pope Francis, painted in prayer by expressionist artist Stephen B Whatley.

The portrait tribute will be on public display in the artist's exhibition of 25 Catholic tribute paintings 'Paintings From Prayer' which will be uniquely on show in the Chapels of St. Andrew and St. Patrick, within Westminster Cathedral, Victoria Street, London SW1, from August 8 to August 22, 2013.

Pope Francis - 2013
Oil on canvas,
27.5 x 19.5in/70 x 50cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

Our Lady, Mother of Providence

Painting By Stephen B. Whatley

New Christian tribute by artist Stephen B Whatley | Flickr.com

By Stephen B. Whatley

The devotion to Our Lady of Providence originates in Italy in the 1660s through a miracle of help in completing a church that was acquired through prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The devotion was passed to Spain where a shrine was built.

She is the Patron Saint of Puerto Rico, after a Cathedral and diocese and its financial plight there was restored by 'putting everything in the hands of Our Lady'.

Symbolically in traditional images of Our Lady of Providence, the Child Jesus on His Mother's lap is depicted with his hand in Hers.

" Mother I place in your hands the authority to act in my name. From my infinite treasure, you are to provide good things to all those who implore your aid" ~ from : The Illustrated Book of Mary (2010 William J Hirten Co.)

Blessings.

Pastel on paper. (2013)
16.5 x 11.5in /42 x 30cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

Jesus: Sacred Heart of Love

By Stephen B. Whatley

New work of art painted by artist Stephen B. Whatley in 2013 | Flickr.com

The following excerpt regarding the new painting is from website of artist Stephen B. Whatley:

Spontaneously created on the Feast Day of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 7th, a new tribute drawing, by expressionist painter Stephen B. Whatley, to the bountiful love that can be received from the Sacred Heart of Jesus in faith...especially through the following prayer, published in the prayer book, The Illustrated book of Jesus (William J. Hirten Co. 2011):

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in thee,
Whatever may befall me, Lord, though dark the hour may be;
In all my woes, in all my joys, though nought but grief I see,
O sacred heart of Jesus, I place my trust in thee.
When those I loved have passed away, and I am sore distressed,
O sacred heart of Jesus, I fly to thee for rest.
In all my trials, great or small, my confidence shall be
Unshaken as I cry, dear Lord, I place my trust in thee.
This is my one sweet prayer, dear Lord, my faith, my trust, my love,
But most of all in that last hour, when death points up above,
O sweet savior, may thy face smile on my soul all free.
Oh may I cry with rapturous love, I've placed my trust in thee.

Pastel on paper.
16.5 x 11.5in

Prayer to Our Lady of Mental Peace

Our Lady of Mental Peace by Stephen B. Whatley

New painting released by artist Stephen B Whatley | Flickr.com

A new 2013 tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley; inspired by a prayer to Our Lady of Mental Peace (below) from the prayer book, The Illustrated Book of Mary (2010, William J. Hirten Co., RI, USA).

O Lady of Mental Peace,
Mother of Tranquility
and Mother of Hope,
look upon me in this time
of my weakness and unrest.
Teach my searching heart
to know that God's Love
for me is unchanging and
unchangeable, and, that
true human love can only
begin and grow by touching
His Love.

Let your gentle Peace -
which this world cannot give
- be always with me.
And, help me to bring this
same Peace into the lives
of others.

Our Lady of Mental Peace,
- Pray for me!

***

Our Lady of Mental Peace - Pastel on paper
Created on March 3, 2013
23.4 x 16.5in

To order prints from the artist, please visit his website at www.stephenbwhatley.com

Virgin Mary of Breezy Point, New York

Virgin Mary of Breezy Point by Stephen B. Whatley

Stephen B Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Commentary by Loci B. Lenar

For anyone unfamiliar with the artwork of Stephen B. Whatley, his paintings are recognized internationally. A feature story about this talented artist and his Christian tributes appears in the September 2011 issue of Catholic Life magazine, published in the UK. The article, Stephen B. Whatley the Praying Artist is reprinted on the website of www.Christian-Miracles.com.

More recently, Stephen's painting of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha - the first Native American canonized by Rome on October 21, 2012, is featured in The Vatican Past and Present (Issue 11: November 2012 - January 2013; published by The Universe Media Group Ltd).

The painting of the Virgin Mary of Breezy Point and following article is reprinted by permission from the artist.

From the website of Stephen B. Whatley:

A new tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary, inspired by the statue 'miraculously' left standing as the only remains of The Catholic Church of St. Genevieve in Breezy Point, NY, destroyed by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. She stands as a memorial to all those who tragically lost their lives and homes during that storm that assaulted New Jersey and the East Coast of America.

The beautiful statue, standing amongst the ruins of the church was first highlighted by journalist Natalie Keyssar in the Wall Street Journal; and quickly became known as the Virgin Mary, Our Lady or The Madonna of Breezy Point.

This pastel drawing was partly inspired by the beautiful photograph, taken by Bobby Plasencia, showing here on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/op204/8156903668/in/photostream

Created through December 13 and 14, 2012, expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley shows this new tribute in memory of both all those felled by the storm; and most recently in sympathy for all those lives devastated on December 14 at the school in Newtown, Connecticut. May faith go some way to consoling those in the most devastating state of grief.  Peace.

Pastel on paper
23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 42cm

To view more of Stephen's work or to order prints, please visit www.stephenbwhatley.com.

A Tribute to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

St. Kateri by Stephn B. Whatley

Artist Stephen B. Whatley - Flickr Photo Sharing!

Mr. Whatley is a talented artist who paints with brillant and colorful strokes of the brush which captivates the viewer. The artist resides in the UK and is recognized internationally for his Christian tributes. The following story about St. Kateri and the new painting is published on his website.

Kateri Tekakwitha (USA, 1656-1680) was canonised in Rome on October 21, 2012 as the first Native American Saint - and on that special day, expressionist artist Stephen B Whatley painted this new tribute; inspired by an array of historic images - including the earliest painting of 1690.

Nancy Wiechec of the Catholic News Service in Washington DC kindly introduced Stephen to St. Kateri's story, in August 2012, through an eloquent feature she had written - and the artist was immediately inspired, enchanted and moved; especially through his great affection for the USA and its people.

Painting iconic tributes to his Catholic faith often on special anniversaries has become a powerful feature of Stephen's work; and he was determined to honour this most humble of Saints - who was rejected by her tribe, through her devotion to her Catholic faith and fled from her native Fonda, NY home to Montreal, Canada.

Miracles of healing through the intercession of St Kateri have been experienced as recently as 2006 which finally convinced the Vatican to recognise her as a Saint; despite the fact that Native Americans have been appealing for this recognition since the 1800s.

A memorial Shrine to Kateri was established in 1938 in Fonda, NY; 200 acres of beautiful woodlands on the north bank of the Mohawk River.

In 1980, Kateri was beatified as the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha; the first stage toward Sainthood; which has finally come about - bringing joy peace and hope to Americans, Canadians and Catholics worldwide.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is known as the patron Saint of American Indians, ecology and the environment.

News of the Canonisation of Kateri Tekakwitha, via BBC News:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19996957

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
October 21, 2012 by Stephen B Whatley
Oil on canvas, 27 x 19.5in/68.6 x 50cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com