Our Lady of France

A painting of sympathy, peace and compassion by international artist Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr.com

The Holy Mother and Infant Christ, a new tribute by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley who felt compelled to create on this day, in prayers of sympathy and for peace and compassion for the nation of France, in the aftermath of yesterday's tragic loss of life, through the insanity of terrorism during Bastille Day celebrations in Nice.

 Choosing to restrict his colours in this memorial tribute drawing in pastel, to France's national colours of blue, white and red, the artist also observed a photograph of the 1860s statue of Our Lady of France - Notre Dame de France - by Jean-Marie Bienaimé Bonnassieux (1810-1892), that stands on a hill in Le Puy-en-Velayin.

A visual prayer in solidarity with France and with hope for world peace. Vive La France! Peace.
www.stephenbwhatley.com

Mr. Whatley's Catholic tributes are displayed on the website of www.Christian-Miracles.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

Holy Baby Jesus

Holy Baby Jesus by Stephen B. Whatley

Holy Baby Jesus by Stephen B Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

By Stephen B. Whatley

Painted on Christmas Day, 2011, a new tribute to the humble birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, in Bethlehem, over 2000 years ago. 

Jesus' humility - and my love of birds - is symbolised by both the dove (the Holy Spirit) and the small garden bird resting on the hand of Jesus. I chose a Chickadee from North America; reflecting my affection for that land - for while Jesus was born in the Middle East; he came to bring peace to all creatures worldwide. Birds are often called 'Messengers of God'.

Jesus' love can be born in hearts, old and new; His love is eternal.

Peace at Christmas.

On December 26th, marks the Feast Day of St. Stephen, first martyr. He was stoned to death and prayed for forgiveness for his murderers. Forgiveness brings healing.

Oil on canvas
27 x 19.5in/70 x 50cm

Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government

will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Wishing all Visitors a Blessed Christmas!

May your Christmas Holiday be shared with friends and family as we gather together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. May your homes be filled with God's peace and love as we move into a new year. And, may peace reign upon our world through Our Lord's blessing.

Wishing all people of good will a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The greeting card has a stained glass window which was photographed inside Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Verona, NJ.

Photo Copyright 2011 Loci B. Lenar

www.christian-miracles.com

Mary, Our Model in Prayer

Mother Mary and Infant Jesus
Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Commentary By Loci B. Lenar

The photograph is a close-up of Mary and Infant Jesus. A soft glow in the photograph helps to highlight the face of Mary and Infant Jesus. The beautiful wood icon is part of a display of votive candles which are lit for prayers and petitions. The display is on the left side of the church as you enter into the Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Catholic church is located on 543 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ, USA.


Prayers - Catholic Online

Mary, Our Model in Prayer

All praise and glory are Yours, almighty Father:

You have given us Your Son Jesus to save us from sin.
We praise You for choosing Mary to be His mother,
for teaching her to believe Your message,
for helping her to accept Your holy will.

Strengthen us by Your Spirit to be like Mary:
to ponder Your word in our hearts,
to obey Your will,
to love Your Son,
to sing Your praises every day.

Father,
we praise You through Jesus Christ Your Son
in the love of Your Spirit,
for ever and ever.

Amen.


Mary's Consent

You have heard it said, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weights heavily upon us.

The price of salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life . . . .

Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.

Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise and receive. Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. "Behold the handmaid of the Lord," she says, "be it done to me according to your word."

From a homily in Praise of the Virgin Mother by Saint Bernard, Abbot

For more daily prayers, please visit the following link: Devotional Prayers

The Birth of Jesus

Merry Christmas!

The Birth of Jesus - Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The upper stained glass window detail was photographed inside St. Rose of Lima Church. The Catholic Church is located in East Hanover, NJ.  The lower stained glass window was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
Christian-Miracles.com

Litany of Saint Anthony

Litany of Saint Anthony

(For Private Use)

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,
St. Anthony of Padua,
St. Anthony, glory of the Friars Minor,
St. Anthony, ark of the testament,
St. Anthony, sanctuary of heavenly wisdom,
St. Anthony, destroyer of worldly vanity,
St. Anthony, conqueror of impurity,
St. Anthony, example of humility,
St. Anthony, lover of the Cross,
St. Anthony, martyr of desire,
St. Anthony, generator of charity,
St. Anthony, zealous for justice,
St. Anthony, terror of infidels,
St. Anthony, model of perfection,
St. Anthony, consoler of the afflicted,
St. Anthony, restorer of lost things,
St. Anthony, defender of innocence,
St. Anthony, liberator of prisoners,
St. Anthony, guide of pilgrims,
St. Anthony, restorer of health.
St. Anthony, performer of miracles,
St. Anthony, restorer of speech to the mute,
St. Anthony, restorer of hearing to the deaf,
St. Anthony, restorer of sight to the blind,
St. Anthony, disperser of devils,
St. Anthony, reviver of the dead.
St. Anthony, tamer of tyrants,
From the snares of the devil, St. Anthony deliver us.
From thunder, lightning and storms, St. Anthony deliver us.
From all evil of body and soul, St. Anthony deliver us.
Through your intercession, St. Anthony protect us.
Throughout the course of life, St. Anthony protect us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. St. Anthony, pray for us. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray

O my God, may the pious commemoration of St. Anthony, your Confessor and Proctor, give joy to your Church, that she may ever be strengthened with your spiritual assistance and merit to attain everlasting joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(The prayer can be found on Catholic websites.)

The statue of St. Anthony holding the infant Jesus was photographed inside the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located in Dover, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
Christian-Miracles.com