17-Paintings of The Life of Mary

Two artists spend more than a year painting these 4 panels devoted to the life of Mary.

The first panel to the left show Mary with a young Jesus. We also find Mary's parents (Sts. Anne and Joachim) in the background and a depiction of one of the Old Testament Prophets in the corner.

The second panel shows the Holy Family at a typical Jewish meal of their time. Sepphoris is depicted at the top of the hill as a nearby city close to Nazareth where St Joseph and Jesus earned his livings as a carpenters.

The third panel draws our attention to two figures: St John the Beloved and Mary. John 19:26-27 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

We can see the shadow of the cross on the ground and the depiction of the fig tree that Jesus cursed.

The Final panel is a depiction of the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. The Resurrected Christ is present at the coronation which we have artistically reimagined to have occurred in the Bow Valley.

Prayer to the Holy Family

Dear Lord, Bless our family. Be so kind as to give us the unity, peace, and mutual love that You found in Your own family in the little town of Nazareth.

Saint Joseph, pray for the head of our family. Obtain for him the strength, the wisdom, and the prudence he needs to support and direct those under his care.

Mother Mary, pray for the mother of our family. Help her to be pure and kind, gentle and self-sacrificing. For the more she resembles you, the better will our family be.

Lord Jesus, bless the children of our family. Help them to be obedient and devoted to their parents. Make them more and more like You. Let them grow, as You did, in wisdom and strength and grace before God and man.

Holy Family of Nazareth, by your intercession, love, and holy example, make our family and home
more and more like Yours, until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with You.
Amen.

Prayer to the Virgin Mary at the Foot of the Cross

Mother of mercy and love blessed Virgin Mary, I am a poor and unworthy sinner, and I turn to you in confidence and love. You stood by your Son as he hung dying on the cross. Stand also by me, a poor sinner, and by all the priests who are offering Mass today here and throughout the entire Church. Help us to offer a perfect and acceptable sacrifice in the sight of the holy and undivided Trinity, our most high God.
Amen.