The truth, goodness and beauty of God — evident in art, music and the ministries of Catholic Charities — will be on display in the Marian Art and Concert Series that will travel around the diocese as part of the second preparatory year of the Diocesan Golden Jubilee.
The 10-part series will focus on the theme “Rejoice!” through music and original art that portrays different images of Our Lady. The series will pair each Marian image, commissioned by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and painted by a local Catholic artist, with one of six Catholic Charities ministries. The diocese will present each work of art to that respective ministry when the program concludes later this year.
A representation of Mary through the Stations of the Cross will kick off the traveling show in the St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel in Fairfax May 3. At each event, the art from all six artists in the series will be present.
The series showcases how the church, particularly through Catholic Charities, cares for women and children from conception to natural death in this post-Roe era. “These wonderful images, inspired by our ministries, beautifully reflect how Catholic Charities serves those in need with a mother’s care,” said Stephen Carattini, diocesan Catholic Charities president and CEO.
“It makes sense for us to pair a reflection on Our Lady to the work of Catholic Charities since, being free of original sin and all desire for sin, Mary is more capable of charity than any other person besides Jesus himself,” said Father Joseph M. Rampino, parochial vicar of St. Ambrose Church in Annandale, who will be the event host and emcee. “She loves God perfectly at every moment, above all else, and her neighbor for God’s sake.”
Some of the artists have a particular affinity for the ministry he or she painted for, said Father Rich A. Miserendino, parochial vicar of St. Bernadette Church in Springfield, who is organizing the series for the Jubilee committee. For instance, artist Chrissy Curtis painted an image of Mary for Catholic Charities Pregnancy and Adoption Services.
“She herself is an adoptive mom, and Catholic Charities figured prominently in her experience,” said Father Miserendino. “We put her in touch with Pregnancy and Adoption Services and then let her paint where her heart led her. It produced a triptych of paintings where Mary adopts us as our mother in Christ: baptism, Confirmation and the cross.” The triptych also includes images of diocesan parishes in the background.
Betsy Farr, an internationally renowned botanical artist with a devotion to Our Lady, was asked to paint for Catholic Charities Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinic. Because many of the Mother of Mercy patients are Spanish-speaking, she decided to paint the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe — but used roses and flowers native to Virginia. “(Our Lady) will greet the clients when they arrive in the clinic, a little beauty to be medicine for the soul,” said Father Miserendino.
Additional Catholic Charities ministries represented include St. Margaret of Cortona Maternity and Family Transitional Housing in Woodbridge, St. Martin de Porres Senior Center in Alexandria, Migrant and Refugee Services, and Family Reunification Services.
