Assumption of the
BVM.
The Triumph of
Humility
MAGNIFICAT art commentary.
The Coronation of the Virgin with Six
Saints (detail), Ridolfo Ghirlandaio (1483-1561), Petit Palais Museum,
Avignon, France. © RMN / René-Gabriel Ojéda.
Ridolfo di Domenico
Ghirlandaio (1483-1561) was the longtime friend of Raphaël with whom he
received his training in Florence. In their early works, the two painters used
the same brushes as a way of sealing their unwavering friendship. Upon
achieving fame in Rome, Raphaël begged his friend to join him in order to share
in his glory. But Ridolfo feared nothing more than to lose his soul at the
tumultuous court of the Renaissance popes. He preferred the peace of family
life, at the service of his art and his loved ones. He had fifteen children
and, according to his contemporaries, he sowed goodness all around him.
A reflection of the artist’s beautiful soul shines
through in this painting. On a cloud which reveals the divine presence, the
Virgin Mary is crowned by her Son, the King of eternal glory. Unlike
traditional representations, this scene does not take place in Paradise, but
before the door that opens into the hereafter. This door is a radiant disc of
sunlight whose edges ripple with the colours of the seven heavens, forming
steps to the throne of God. Sinners cannot cross its threshold without
undergoing the baptism of death. But Ghirlandaio already gives us access to the
heart of the mystery through the sublime attitude of humility we see in our Lady.
Kneeling before the Lord with her hands joined in prayer, Mary wears a mantle
of blue, colour of the waters of baptism, which symbolizes her Immaculate
Conception while at the same time recalling that she is a daughter of Eve. Yet
this mantle almost completely covers her glorious red gown, raiment of the
extraordinary deeds the Holy Spirit has accomplished in her. What better way to
show how humility is not abolished by the triumph of the blessed but rather
comes to full fruition? O the resplendent face of Mary, bathed in the same
light and bearing the same expression as at the moment of the Annunciation!
Yes, it is indeed the very same young girl – utterly humble, utterly ready to
do God’s will – who received the angel’s greeting and who today is crowned Queen
of the angels! O Satan, monster of pride, where is your victory?
Pierre-Marie
Dumon
50th International Eucharistic Congress,
10-17 June 2012, Dublin, Ireland
THE SACRED HEART AND MARY’S UNIQUE ROLE AS
“WOMAN OF THE EUCHARIST”
Dr. Timothy O’Donnell
Christendom College, Virginia USA
Friday 15th. June 2012
ad usum privatum
Tá glionadar chroí orm a bheith anseo libhse!
“Let all people tremble, let the whole world shake and the
heavens burst into praise, when
Christ, the Son of the ever-living God, is present on the altar
in the hands of a priest. How are we to
understand the sublime humility of this – that the very Lord of
the universe, God and the Son of God
so humbles himself for our salvation (Philippians 2:5-8). Fix your eyes, my friends, on the humility
of God and pour out your hearts in devotion to Him! (Psalm 61:8).
I implore you, hold back nothing
of yourself, so that He who gives himself completely for you,
may completely receive you (Matthew
10: 32-33.)”
~St. Francis of
Assisi, “Letter to the Order
1
The
Eucharist is the Gift of His Love, the Gift of His Heart.
Introduction:
It is a great joy and honor for me to be with you today here in
Dublin at this congress, held in
Ireland, a nation traditionally honored by Catholics around the
world for its love for the Priesthood of Jesus Christ and its tenacious
unconquerable love for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which brings
us Christ’s real Presence in the Eucharist. How wonderful to share this time with you
during the
Octave of Corpus Christi, as we prepare for the great Solemnity
of the Sacred Heart.
Our topic today is “The Sacred Heart and the Eucharist.”
This session will explore the deep relationship which exists
between devotion to the Heart of Jesus
and
the Holy Eucharist, illustrated by Mary’s unique role as “woman of the
Eucharist” (Blessed John Paul II) It
will demonstrate theologically and historically the intimate bond which exists
between the devotion of love and the Sacrament of Love revealing the Holy
Eucharist as the gift of His Heart.
Archbishop Marini in his address to the Episcopal Conference on
this Eucharistic Congress encouraged examination of recent statements of the
Magisterium and explicitly mentioned
John Paul II’s Ecclesia de Eucharistia and Mane Nobiscum Domine. ..........
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