In May, the pastor of Corpus Christi Cathedral, Fr. Pete called me, requesting paintings for his favorite saints, St. Rita of Cascia and St. Peregrine with the hope that they be completed on his ordination anniversary on June 23rd (today!). The Holy Spirit did all the work and with the intercession of St. Rita and St Peregrine, I completed both paintings with an hour to spare to have it framed and delivered (thank you to my amazing hubby!)
In this post, I will talk about St. Rita and here are the specifics:
18″x24″, Oil on Canvas. Commision date May 1, 2021, Deadline – June 23, 2021
I began brainstorming mid-May and after an incredible visit at the National Shrine of St. Rita in Philadelphia on May 30th, the final concept was on my canvas on June 4, 2021. I painted this in tandem with the St. Peregrine painting.
While in the Shrine, I saw some amazing sculptures there as well as relics like the religious habit that her incorrupt body had worn. One of the sculpture was holding out a single thorn on it’s right hand – I loved it and I wanted to pay homage to such a powerful gesture so when I returned to my studio, I quickly repositioned the left had of my concept to also hold a single thorn. I also added the gold trim on the veil to echo the relic. There were so many red roses that surrounded that statue as well as on the altar – I added as many as I could on the canvas and also wanted to put many more climbing up the columns just like the ones on the altar but I simply ran out of time. I met Fr. Dan McLaughlin of the National Shrine of St. Rita who happens to be a photographer. I attended the morning mass where he was the celebrant and afterwards, I was so blessed to have a nice conversation about the painting. He gave me his business card and I promptly visited his website where resources were plentiful and very helpful. We have since exchanged emails – such a blessing for me to connect with him.
A good friend of mine lent me her St. Rita statue which was my constant companion on the shelf in my studio as I painted. I would constantly look over while in praying as I am painting especially during the last day when I was racing to finish. I could paint roses now in my sleep!! ORA ET LABORA!! Praise God!!
