Our Lady of the Sign with

Ss. Joachim & Anne

By Maria G. Diaz

12”X18” Panel, Acrylic, gold leaf, with French bass relief detail on wood

At the center of this icon is the Mother of God enthroned holding Christ–Emmanuel depicted in the roundel or medallion rather than sitting on her lap.  We see Mary, as the Temple of God who points us to Christ, her Son who is the Truth and Way.  She is reaching out to the baptized world to teach and to bring the world back to Christ.  In the medallion, Christ is at the heart of the cross-shaped composition made by the four circles-the halos and the round platform under Mary’s feet.  He holds a scroll-sign of wisdom in His left hand while blessing with His right hand.  The cross of Christ is the foundation of the Church and is essential through iconography and church archi-tecture.  This icon is a visual expression of hymn to the Theotokos, Mother of God, in the Liturgy of St. Basil: All creation rejoices in you, O Full of Grace, the assembly of angels and the race of men. O Sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, the glory of virgins, from whom God was incarnate and became a child-our God before the ages.  He made your body into a throne, and your womb He made more spacious than the heavens.  All of creation rejoices in you, O Full of Grace.  Glory to you!

Sts. Joachim and Anne, as Mary’s parents and the grand-parents of the Savoir, here represent mankind and offer prayers through Mary to Christ.  As her parents, they accomplished their personal task of love and self-sacrifice, and through them the whole of mankind shares the reward of peace and joy.  This icon celebrates life and love, Creator and creation, the family (earthly and divine), and by these in a very special way the sanctity of life.  Sts. Joachim & Anne are the Patron Saints of married couples, grand-parents and couples struggling with infertility.

Completed in July 2004 in celebration National Natural Family Planning Week (July 25th-31st) as noted by the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington D.C.  Original with Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, California.

You may contact the artists by e-mail at iconsbymaria@yahoo.com