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

St Francis of Assisi - New Drawing by Stephen B. Whatley

St. Francis of Assisi by Stephen B. Whatley

St Francis of Assisi - New 2011 Drawing by Stephen B. Whatley - Flickr.com

By Stephen B. Whatley

Francis of Assisi (1282-1226) was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. His faith became paramount over anything worldy and he is perhaps most known for his love of nature - feeling that all God's creations were part of his brotherhood; the humble sparrow as much his brother as the Pope.

I felt inspired to pay tribute through this spontaneous drawing, to this great Saint on his Feast Day, October 4th; looking intially at a small prayer card and studies of North American birds made on location at a nature reserve in New York State in February 2010.

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

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Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen

Our Lady of Divine Providence

Our Lady of Divine Providence
By artist Stephen B. Whatley

Our Lady of Divine Providence by Stephen B Whatley - Flickr Photo Sharing!

By Stephen B. Whatley

The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary in the Catholic Calendar.  I felt compelled with an urgency as I often feel when expressing my faith through art - to pay tribute to another devotion to the Mother of God, Our Lady of Divine Providence. Everyone is aware from the current international news of the financial plight of so many in the world; and I personally know several people under this pressure, particularly in the USA.

I pray that my drawing will give peace, hope and bring relief through prayer to whoever views the drawing. I was overtaken as I drew- indeed 'charged' with prayerful energy, reciting Hail Mary repeatedly - particularly as the tender face of the Mother of God emerged through my drawing.

The history of this particular devotion to Our Lady dates back 400 years to 1611 in Rome; when Barnabites (clerics of St Paul) were unable to complete construction of their church due to financial problems. The pastor made a pilgrimage to Loreto to beg Our Lady for help and on his return was rewarded with the financial means to finish the church.

He ensured that Our Lady receive credit for the miracle by placing a factual account in the parish archives. In 1663, after an image of Our Lady was moved to the altar in the church and fell, breaking into pieces, the architect offered the Barnabites a painting of the Blessed Mother with the Child Jesus in her lap, by the artist Gaetan.

One of the Fathers found the Pastor's original writings about the miracle; resulting from devotion and trust in Our Lady, Mother of Providence.

Devotion passed to Spain where a shrine was built in Tarragona, Catalonia. A Catalan priest, named bishop of Puerto Rico, was assigned a diocese in ruin, plagued with financial problems. Putting everything in the hands of Our Lady - through prayer - the Cathedral was restored and the diocese re-established.

The way the hand of Jesus is wrapped around His Mother's hand is symbolic of Our Lady of Divine Providence..."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".

I am particularly grateful to a dear American friend, James, who kindly sent me the Illustrated Book of Mary (published: William J. Hirton Co. 2010) in which I learned of this devotion; and the illustration became my starting point for this tribute.

Prayer to Our Lady of Divine Providence

God, Our Father, we give you thanks as we honour the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother Of Divine providence.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, She became the mother of The Saviour. As queen sitting at the right hand of her Son, she aids the church with her needs and with maternal care provides the personal needs of her children who were entrusted to her at the Cross by Jesus, Our Lord

We implore Thee Father, through the prayers of our Lady, Mother Of Divine Providence, to remove from us whatever is harmful, and to bestow on us only that which will be helpful.

We ask Thee this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

"May there be great blessings of peace, relief, new empowerment and prosperity through the Grace of Our Lady of Divine Providence, throughout August and beyond." ~ Stephen B Whatley, August 1, 2011

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

To view Stephen's painting of The Immaculate Heart of Mary, click on the following link:  www.flickr.com/photos/stephenbwhatley/4711812117/

Copyright 2011 Stephen B. whatley