Sacred art inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe was on display Thursday evening at the Marian Congress, as scholars spoke about some of the miraculous and inspiring qualities of the image.
Artwork on display included 17th century paintings of the Guadalupe event by famous and anonymous Mexican artists that are part of the Knights of Columbus Religious Heritage Art Collection in New Haven, Conn.
The Order also has commissioned a number of Guadalupe works, including a mosaic by the Vatican Mosaic Studio, a stained-glass window and an oil painting by Italian artist Antonella Cappuccio called “Juan Diego: Servant of the ew Evangelization,” which shows Juan Diego displaying his tilma to indigenous people as they kneel in wonder before it.
Knights and their wives from all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Poland and the Philippines mingled and conversed during the art show, sharing thoughts and remarking on some aspects of the image.
“I didn’t know much about Our Lady of Guadalupe before this,” said Marcy Yourish, who attended with her husband, Joseph, a past state deputy of Pennsylvania. “I am very impressed with everything I am learning.”
She took a number of exhibition catalogues for a friend back home who is devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Joseph Yourish said that he was aware of the story of Guadalupe, “but it’s good to be refreshed in your understanding. I was impressed when Msgr. Chavez said that the color of Our Lady’s cloak changes from blue to green depending on how close you stand to the image.”
Craig Larson, state secretary of Minnesota, said that he was anxious to learn more about Our Lady of Guadalupe. His wife, Mary Jo, said she enjoyed the opening conference, especially the presentation by Dr. Mary Soha, who spoke about the relationship between faith and science.
Msgr. Eduardo Chavez, a foremost expert on the Guadalupe event and postulator for the cause of canonization for Juan Diego, had two paintings in the exhibit, “Holy Mary of Guadalupe, Mother of the Civilization of Love,” and a very endearing portrait of Mary called “My Little Girl.”