New Year - Hogmanay

Our Lady of the Southern Cross On this Eve of New Year, this beautiful picture reminds us that wherever Jesus is present His Blessed Mother is also close by and whenever Mary is, there is a sense of community, of friendship and fraternity. Our gaze fixed at this time on our Infant Saviour may His peace be with you and all your families this Christmas and throughout the coming year. Artist Paul Newton said that the oil painting was commissioned by Cardinal Pell for World Youth Day in Sydney 2009. Paul’s words are moving and deeply theological. He says ``I was approached by Cardinal Pell about six months ago. ``Over two months I worked up designs, exploring a number of different compositions before finally settling on this one.'' His aim was to capture the intimate relationship between Mary and her son. ``She is totally focused upon him and holds him affectionately to herself,'' Mr Newton said. ``At the same time she holds him so as to face us, the viewers, as if presenting or giving him to us. ``I wanted to suggest in Mary's demeanour serenity and great humility, not drawing attention to herself but rather to her son. ``While the painting features Mary it is really Christo-centric. He is the only one making eye contact with us. In his gaze I attempted to suggest not only the innocence of a baby but also the wisdom of ages, present in the one who would become our saviour.'' The painting features symbols of Australia, such as a wattle garland on Mary's head, the Southern Cross in the night sky, a background landscape with gum trees and a broad meandering river, inspired by the paintings of Arthur Streeton and Tom Roberts. There's also the NSW floral emblem, the waratah, sculpted into the corners of the frame. ``The cardinal also asked me to include a Broome pearl, which Mary wears as an earring. The pearl is a traditional Christian symbol... the `pearl of great price'.''