The Birth of Mary

 

From Kelly Latimore Icons

Today the Church celebrates the birth of Mary.

This icon depicts Mary, the Mother of Jesus in Old age. Mary is Theotokos , (Greek for “God-bearer”) She was not God-bearer once, when giving birth to Christ. She was God bearer then, and her whole life into old age. In legend Mary lived to age 72.

This icon was commissioned by our friend and Franciscan Friar, Br. Angelo. We sat with him outside of the monastery where he lives on a beautiful spring day in 2021 when he began to share what getting older and closer to death has taught him. Br. Angelo told us a story about sitting with an old Holocaust survivor. Before she even told him her story, she looked at him and he suddenly could see everything in her eyes. Someone who had been through so much pain and profound loss but was looking at him with such love, encouragement and hope.

He couldn’t help think what it would have been like to be with Mary in her old age. Looking into her tender eyes, they must have told a story all their own. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The joy, the loss, the hope and love of a mother. Something she carried and gave back to the world her entire life.

For all Mothers and Foster Mothers.

“May I bring all that I am. May I birth all that I have. May I bear all that was, all that is, all that will be. Amen.”

Signed Prints and Digital Download: kellylatimoreicons.com