Pietà by Michelangelo

Inside the St. Peter's Basilica at Vatican City lies the famous work of Renaissance artist, Michelangelo titled, Pietà.

Pietà literally means "pity" in Italy.  In Merriam-Webster's definition, it is the representation of the Virgin Mary mourning over the dead body of Christ.

But when you look at the sculpture, I see no grieving or mourning---only acceptance. The carrara marble made between 1498-1499 depicts Jesus Christ after his crucifixion on the lap of his loving mother, Mary.  This tender scene looks natural and real.

Michelangelo did not want to represent his work with a "dying" Jesus but as a "communion between man and God by the sanctification through Christ."

There is a certain serenity and acceptance on the faces of Jesus and Mary.  Their fervent faith to follow God's will is something that we should all aspire.  Thy will be done.

St. Therese: Little Things With Great Love

St. Therese of Lisieux is a popular Carmelite nun who at 15 years old entered the monastery.  I feel an attachment to her because her holiness is based on doing "little things with great love." There was a time when I prayed very hard and she answered me with a bouquet of white roses.  They say that if you ask her for a favor, she will answer with roses.  Sometimes, people ask for a specific color of rose and she obliges.  

This is Les Buissonnets, St. Therese's house from November 1877 to April 1888 the date she entered Carmel.

Portrait

She was a sickly person and very sensitive.  "She knew as a Carmelite nun she would never be able to perform great deeds.  'Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love?  Great deeds are forbidden me.  The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love.'  She took every chance to sacrifice, no matter how small it would seem."

Living Room

Her hair 

The image of Our Mother

Her bedroom 

Her house is surrounded by a rose garden.

Basilica of St. Therese in Lisieux, the second largest pilgrimage site in France after the Lourdes. 

This is a mosaic inside the Basilica made by a Filipino artist, Manuel Baldemor.  It depicts the People Power revolution with the image of Our Lady and St. Therese. 

The body of St. Therese

At 24 years old, St. Therese died from tuberculosis.  She was canonized in 1925.  The "little flower" reminds us that love will bring us to heaven---that little things make big beginnings.  Her idea was to do everything in life, especially the little things, out of love for God and for our neighbors.