Pondering the Angelus with Art: into a New Year

The Royal Doors from a Romanian Church seem to be a fitting representation of our prayer as we prepare to go through the doors of 2014 into a new Year. May we take the Angel's greeting with us so that we, too, recognize how "highly favored" we are every day. Every day of 2015 may we respond, "Be it done to me."

Pondering the Angelus with Art

I have no specific information at all about the provenance of this depiction of the Angelus, which appears to be on the doors of a Tabernacle. The photo was taken by Sr Adele Carrara, FSP, who has passed on to the true Life beyond this one and is not responding to questions concerning artwork. Pauline graphic designer Sister Sergia Ballini suggests that the style represents the Italian Tyrol (Trentino-South Tyrol), an autonomous district in Italy that once formed part of the Austrian Empire. I just think it's charming.

Pondering the Annunciation with Art: this Week's Image

This Annunciation greets every visitor to the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels in Assisi. Beneath the figures are key words from the prayer of the Angelic Salutation (better knowns as the "Hail, Mary"): Beneath Gabriel's feet are the words "Ave Maria"; beneath Mary's, what we could say is her identity in God, "Gratia Plena" (the term is used in place of Mary's name in the Gospel of Luke).

(You may need to mouseover the image to move it into full view.)

About the image: Photo by Sister Christine Hirsch, FSP.