Description
Painted as a commission-gift for a priest, this painting has touched the hearts of many already. The priest’s specially-designed chalice presented to him for his ordination, had been shaped into the form of a rose cupping the Precious Blood of Jesus.
The stem of the chalice is dotted with tiny thorns as it comes down to the double-sided Immaculate Heart of Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the details of the roses encircling Mary’s heart and forming the Crown of Thorns on Jesus’ heart on the other side, are diamonds from the priest’s grandmother, a heritage passed down, cementing and celebrating the sacrifices of the priesthood and the joys of family.
On the base of the chalice is sometimes called the unity cross – Mary presses herself closely to Jesus and hold a chalice up to his heart to collect his Precious Blood before it spills on the ground. On the opposite side of the base is the passage, written in the background, from the Song of Songs: “A garden closed, a fountain sealed” referencing the Church. That through the holy priesthood, the priest takes care of the Church of Christ, hidden in the mystery of the Trinity.
Above the chalice, is the Host, the Greek letters IHS embossed into the bread, symbolized the Holy Name of Jesus as the first three letters of the Greek spelling of Jesus. The Host shines forth as the Light of the World, bringing the immortal love of God to our dark world.
The whole of this painting shows us the route to Jesus through Mary. Do we take the leap and follow Him as she did?
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Want to honor your priest in a special and unique way? Contact me about commissioning a chalice painting of your priest’s chalice at outpouringoftrust@gmail.com
Juli Smith –
This is absolutely beautiful, and even more so, in person! I purchased a copy of this, and framed it for a friend who had given of her own body, via kidney donation, to a family member. I’m sorry to have missed out on a copy for myself!