It’s May! And this is the month the Catholic Church traditionally devotes to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. In honor of Mary, I am devoting today’s reflection to several paintings of Mary created by a single artist, Sister Maresa Lilley, a Sister of Notre Dame and good friend of mine. A few years ago I posted a blog on Sister and her paintings. (You can access it by typing her name in the search box on the top right side of this page.) Today we will focus on eight of her depictions of Jesus’ mother.
The painting above is entitled “By the Name of Mary.” It is one of my favorites. To me, it shows Mary as a young woman, a “girl” really. I like to think it portrays Mary at the Annunciation when the angel Gabriel first appeared to her. In her facial expression I see amazement coupled with fear. The brightness of the angel is reflected on her face. Interestingly, there is second source of light behind Mary. It reminds me of a halo, the traditional symbol of a holy person. I like several things about this painting. First, Mary is so REAL. Her hair is slipping out of her head covering. This tells me she is engaged with life–perhaps working hard when the angel appeared. Maybe she was kneading dough, walking to the market in the hot sun, or tending to her small garden. Mary looks INTERRUPTED to me. Doesn’t God interrupt our lives at times too? Mary seems strong yet vulnerable, very human. She is WIDE AWAKE and ALERT to what is happening around her. I resonate with her mixture of wonder and fear. I’ve experienced that combination many times in my life too. I welcome your additional feelings and thoughts on this painting and the paintings that follow.
Painting #2 is entitled “Betrothed to Joseph.” You can think of this painting as Mary’s engagement picture. Painting #3 is one of Sister’s many paintings of Mary with her child Jesus. It’s appropriately called “Joy to the World.” I am especially drawn to the face of that smiling little boy. He is a happy child. He knows his Mom loves him–shown by the way she leans her cheek on his little head. He is well-cared for–as seen in his neatly combed hair. Mary’s strong hand is holding him safe and secure. His little arms seem to be moving. He strikes me as a healthy and rambunctious little boy.
Throughout history, people have wanted to see something of themselves and their culture in their depictions of Mary. So Mary is sometimes depicted as European, African, Asian, American, etc. Some of Sister Maresa’s Mary paintings follow this tradition. Sister spent some time serving in Vietnam. Little wonder she was drawn to portray Mary as a young Vietnamese woman #4. Painting #5 is entitled “Mary’s Boy Child,” taken from the “Jamaican-ish” song sung by Harry Belafonte years ago… And painting #6, “Daughter of Israel,” has Middle Eastern overtones.
Painting #7 captures the darkest hour in the life of Mary when her dead son is taken down from the cross. This painting shows Mary as she tenderly removes the crown of thorns from the head of her crucified son. We can see the anguish on her face. The painting is appropriately called “Heart of Darkness.”
Throughout the centuries Mary has been given many titles such as: Mother of God, Queen of Peace, Star of the Sea, Mother of Mercy, Refuge of Sinners, Cause of Our Joy, and one I’m particularly fond of Notre Dame, which is French for “Our Lady.” Another rather unusual title for Mary is Our Lady Untier of Knots (or Undoer of Knots). This devotion, dating back to 17th Century Germany, symbolizes Mary’s role in helping to solve “tangled” life situations, that is, family problems, difficult personal relationships, community struggles. Here is Sister Maresa’s interpretation of this title for Mary, based on earlier 17th Century paintings:
PS #1: A Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers! We pray today in a special way for our own mothers, living and deceased… and for all our readers who are mothers. May God give all mothers strength, courage, patience, wisdom, joy, and great love as they serve their families and the family of God!
PS #2: Sister Maresa had one of her paintings accepted recently for an Art Show in Gates Mills, Ohio. The first day of the show, her painting was sold! We, her Sisters here, are very proud of her! Her painting is called simply “Zebras”:
PS #3: If you’d like to see more of Sister Maresa’s paintings you can go to her blog “Grace to Paint”: (https://gracetopaint.org) or go to Etsy where she displays and sells her paintings: https://www.etsy.com and then type in Paintgrace. If you’d like to contact Sister personally about any of her paintings or to ask about commisioning a painting, her email address is: [email protected].
For reflection:
Of all Sister’s paintings of Mary, did any one move you or touch you today? Did any of them “speak to you”? If so, which one did and what did it say?
If you could paint, what would you like YOUR painting of Mary to look like? What would you try to CONVEY ABOUT MARY in your painting? I’d love to hear some of your ideas below!
For our video today, I searched for a Marian hymn from another culture. Although many songs were beautiful, I found this one particularly moving. It is labeled simply a Chinese song to the Virgin Mary, and it is sung by “Harpa Dei,” a Catholic ensemble of four siblings. You will see them in the video. They sing traditional liturgical songs in the original language in which those songs were composed. This Chinese hymn to Mary reminds all of us to pray for our fellow Christians/Catholics all over the world, especially those who are facing persecution for their religious beliefs. (The English lyrics will come up automatically.)
I look forward to reading your comments below!
53 Responses
Painting number 3 and 7 spoke to me today. First, 3 made me reflect on the joys of motherhood. So many paintings depict Mary in sorrow and it was lovely to see happiness in raising Jesus. Of course number 7 shows sorrow but also tenderness and love. She is heartbroken but also shows her love and the fact that she removes the symbols of shame placed on him by His captors.
Rebecca, You make some good points here: the happiness Mary must have experienced in raising Jesus… and her tenderness in removing “the symbols of shame placed on him by his captors.” Thank you for calling our attention to these two things. Melannie
Painting #6 spoke to me. It shows Mary as an Israeli woman which she truly was at the time.
Thanks for sharing!
For me, too, to pause and reflect on Mary as an Israelite. Very beautiful and moving.
Kathleen, Yes, I appreciate this “realistic” portrait too of Mary as an “Israeli woman.” Melannie
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
Yes, “By the Name of Mary” is such an arresting work! I sense a strong, defiant wonder in her gaze. Just beautiful! Like Kathleen, “Daughter of Israel” really spoke to me. She has the look of a woman of today. There is a cool, almost ironic, nonchalance to her face, accentuated by it being cast in light and shadow. Then there’s “Heart of Darkness.” Never have I seen or thought of Mary pulling the thorns from Jesus’ head. A love clothed in aching poignancy.
John, Your three descriptions are quite good: “arresting work…cool nonchalance to her face…a love clothed in aching poignancy…” Beautiful! Melannie
Oh Dear mother Mary,
What beautiful images of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The undoer of knots is amazing. Mary is in fact doing that for so many, including me. I’ve begun the devotional hobby of making rosaries. After going through a process and consecrating the rest of my life to Mary, making rosaries makes sense.
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee, blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus! Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen!
Bert, I too am intrigued by this title of Mary as Undoer of Knots… and I admire your “devotional hobby” of making rosaries…. Thank you for writing! Melannie
Good morning, Melannie! I really like this sister’s paintings on Mary. She seems so real. The painting on Mary as a Daughter of Israel really made me pause and the last one did too. The music on the video was very beautiful. Blessings on your day.
Diane, I’m sure Sister Maresa would be very complimented by your words: Mary “seems so real.” I’m glad you found the music “beautiful” too. Thank you for your feedback. Melannie
The painting, Heart of Darkness, is my choice. The sorrow on Mary’s face…..
Sharon, Yes, the painting is gripping… Melannie
All beautiful paintings. My favorites were the Joy to the world and Heart of Darkness, one shows joy and the other sorrow. Life is full of both. Thank you for sharing all the paintings and the song was a perfect choice.
God Bless,
Kathy, Yes, those two paintings are a contrast–reflecting the joy and darkness which are a part of every life. I’m so grateful to Sister Maresa for sharing her paintings with us! Melannie
I like the “Untier of Knots” because it depicts something unexpected to me. Mary is shown “assisting” a human to get to her place of happiness, with the help of some angels also working the ropes. Profound.
Donna, It is an intriguing picture. I appreciate your attention to the details of this painting. Thank you! Melannie
I was drawn to Untier of Knotts it made me feel all we encounter in life can
be helped with prayers to Our Lady
Kathy, Amen to what you said! Melannie
The song and #5 and 6 are so wonderful. A playwright friend of mine wrote a play based on the rosary, Susan Lersch Kinsella – not sure if it ever got produced, but I love her writing. I got to star in her play Sisters: some theatrical rituals about the nunnery in its first NYC production many moons ago. Different images of Mary are so powerful. My mom and my sister are both called Mary, as well as both my grandmas, so she speaks to me. Thank you!
Margaret, What a great memory–of starring in your friend’s play. And to think your mother and sister are called Mary and your grandmothers too. Last I checked, Mary (or some form of Mary) is still one of the most popular names internationally. Thank you for taking the time to respond! Melannie
I so appreciate her painting ability and interpretations, but “Mary’s Boy Child draws me in. There is such a serenity there in both mother and child.
And the music was very contemplative and soothing…..a wonderful start to the week!
Mary, I’m glad you found Sister’s paintings and the music a good start for your week! Melannie
Number 6 speaks to me. She is hard-working, yet joyful. I felt the Israeli sun in the background and the head band and her kind eyes say a lot to the observer. Sister is extremely talented. Mary Ann Flannery, SC
Mary Ann, Thank you for also calling our attention to painting #6: “I felt the sun…and the head band and her kind eyes day a lot to the observer.” Thank you for being a good observer! Melannie
Loved Mary as mother of all nationalities!!!
Amen, Donnamarie! Melannie
Another beautiful and moving post today thank you Melannie. All of the paintings are thought provoking and show an amazing talent. I’ve always wished I had that gift. No. 1 By the name of Mary and no. 6 daughter of Israel really spoke to me. Such a young girl to have taken on such a profound mission. Loved the video too, so soothing. I’ve had a special devotion to Mary most of my life and cherish the month of May to honor and celebrate our blessed mother.
My mother’s name is Mary and she gave the name or derivative to 4 of her 6 daughters.
Loretta, I loved your sentence: “Such a young girl to have taken on such a profound mssion.” I remember well your dear mother Mary who married “Joseph the carpenter.” What beautiful parents you had! I’m proud to call your whole family “my kin.” Melannie
Sr. Melannie,
The artwork reflects all our different images of our blessed mother, all so beautiful.
I have often wondered what Mary looked like and as well as Jesus, as most of the pictures and movie present him as youthful, good looking, and serene, but I would add more rugged due to their physical location and climate. Anyway, in my mind they are both perfect examples of serene peace, always watching and protecting us.
I am so very grateful for my faith and knowledge of our Lord and Blessed Mother. I pray daily for those without faith. How hard the world must be for them.
Melanie (with 1 n), You’re right to point out that Mary and Jesus had to be somewhat “rugged” trying to survive in their rugged climate and difficult circumstances–especially living under Roman rule. But also they lived with great peace, because of their “living faith.” Thank you for your words! Melannie (with 2 n’s)
I would paint her as a scared teenager after receiving the announcement from the angel Gabriel.
Mary Ellen, I would love to see your “vision.” Perhaps there’s a painting of her online somewhere that might come close to your vision. IT might be fun to check out other images of Mary… Melannie
All these beautiful paintings brought to mind some words of St. Therese of Lisieux:
For a sermon on the Blessed Virgin to please me, and do me any good, I must see her in real life’.
Warmest thanks Sisters
Pauline Kennedy
Pauline, Thanks for sharing that St. Therese quote. Seeing Mary as a REAL person is so important! Melannie
First of all, what a beautiful gift sister has. Han you for sharing her art. I was drawn to the first painting. Mary was a young girl so many movies and artwork show her more of a woman in her early 20s. It speaks to me about our children, our young men and women for the grace to be open to the Holy Spirit. A reminder what fiat looks like… in the openness to b receptive to God’s will.
I’d love to see a painting of The finding of Jesus in the temple… the sorrowing that Joseph and Mary carried looking for their lost son I imagine Mary and Joseph entering the temple, but I’m not sure if men and women could be in the same places. I’m not familiar with Jewish customs of worship. But I believe she heard his voice, and she rested her head in great relief against a pillar, listening to every word that astounded all who were in his presence. I don’t think she interrupted him. I think there was a natural pause in the teaching. I see Joseph retrieving Jesus in a quiet moment, I see Mary getting down her knees before her son and her God and looking at him and asking him intently why why this sorrow and I see Jesus looking at her and touching her face and saying why were you looking for me? Did you not know I would be in my father‘s house? Interesting that those are the first words Jesus speaks in the New Testament. I think of so many people looking for Jesus out side His Temple and he’s in the Church in the tabernacle in His Eucharistic presence… waiting for people to find him. I think Mary and Joseph were asked to go through this sorrow so that they could have compassion and mercy andunderstand us miserable sinners who are looking.
Doris, thank you for those insights. They really bring the finding in the temple to life.
What a wonderful gift Sr. Marisa has been given. It was so interesting to “see” Mary in so many different ways. My favorites were #3 Mother and Child, it looks so real the tender love of a mother embracing here little child. The other was #8 Untier of Knots. I had never heard of this title but was depicted in such a meaningful way. We pray to her with our many problems and she calming unties those problems and leads us in the best direction. Thank you for another amazing reflection.
Doris, I loved your little reflection on Mary and Joseph finding Jesus in the temple. I have seen quite a few paintings of this incident in the life of Jesus. Perhaps you can google it and see what comes up. Several paintings portray Mary and Joseph’s relief in finding him safe. One (I recall) shows Mary scolding him. That would be a contrast to your vision of this incident. Thank you for your insights! Melannie
Karen, I’m glad you found these paintings so interesting. I liked your words, “We pray to Mary with our problems and she calmly unties those problems and leads us in the best direction.” Well said! Thank you! Melannie
I have a diff take….i cannot relate to the beautiful mary depicted…i would like to see an older plain mary with an expression of care…peace
Pat, One of my favorite paintings of Mary as an “older woman,” is Liz Lemon Swindle’s “The Mother.” You might want to google it online. It depicts Mary with the adult Jesus. But remember that if Mary gave birth to Jesus when she was about 13, she would have been only about 43 when Jesus began his public ministry. There’s also the depictions of the death of Mary (called the “dormition” of Mary)–such as the painting by Caravaggio. I’m wondering if our readers known of any art work showing us an older Mary… Thanks for your good contribution! Melannie
The painting,#7 Heart of Darkness, is my choice.
I never look at the sorrow on Mary’s face ,it’s so touch me.
The video is so wonderful. Thank you so much.
God Bless,
Cecilia, Thank you for sharing with us what touched you in today’s refection. I’m grateful for your words. Melannie
Thank you for honoring Mary this week, Sr Melannie. Besides Notre Dame my favorite title for Mary is ‘Mom’. Picture number three is my favorite. I would love to see her holding my twin brother Michael and myself. Thank you to Sr. Marissa for all the beautiful paintings of Mary. God bless you Sr Melannie and God bless us all. Happy Mothers’ Day , Mom and to all the mothers who are reading this!
Martha, I loved your sentence: “I would love to see her holding my twin brother Michael and myself.” What an imaginative thought! I have a black and white photo of my mother standing and holding me when I was 9 months old. It’s a June day and we’re outside in the bright sun. I have a little sunbonnet on. I have this picture posted on my file cabinet with magnets. It’s a beautiful thought for me to imagine Mary holding me too! …Thanks for sharing this idea with us, Martha! Melannie
Painting #7. I never thought about the crown of thorns being removed and that would be the first thing a mother would instinctively do.
Mary, I loved your “and that would be the first thing a mother would do…” Thank you for your tender words! Melannie
Image #2 Mary Bethrothed – That is (wo)man par excellence as God ever intended us to be so confident in our own skin and decisions. Thank God for free will and conviction. Mary is saying I made the right choice and there is no one better than me for Joseph.
Brandon, I appreciated your sense of Mary’s confidence… and your “thank God for free will and conviction.” Without free will we would not be able to REALLY love… and without conviction we would not be able to PERSEVERE in loving. Thanks for writing! Melannie
Dear Sr. Melannie,
So many women share Mother’s Day. I reflect back to all the nuns that taught me school; in the 50’s and early 60’s the nuns mirrored what our mothers taught us at home and visa versa.
Sr.Maresa truly has a gift in Art and your explanation helped me see all the beauty of our Mother, Mary. #1 is a beautiful vision of how young Mary was surprised to learn she was carrying a baby to be named JESUS. #6 We see so many pictures and statues of the Pieta but never one of Mary removing the “Crown of Thorns”. We, as women, would definitely try to show care to try and comfort……no matter.
Thank you so much for this beautiful blog on our most Beautiful Mother Mary.
Charlene, I appreciated your comments on the paintings. Yes, we have so many lovely depictions of the Pieta, Mary holding the dead body of her son. But I have never seen one where she is removing the crown of thorns either. We are never finished with reflecting on this beautiful woman and what life must have been like for her… Melannie
#1 really struck me. I forwarded this onto someone else and she said the same thing. I had just finished reading Sr Glavich’s book: Fisherman’s Wife. And that is is h ow I pictured Mary reading that book.