A concert and recording artist, Therese made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1980 as a harpist and singer. Therese Schroeder-Sheker is a lay person whose devotion to monasticism permeates her work and daily life. Monastic spirituality inspires artist Legacy, Spring 2022 She firmly believes that “by the grace of God and his Divine Mercy which he showers upon me, it behooves me to give back and remember that all things come from him.” Remarkable, but Maria sees her decision as a response to God’s abundant generosity in her life. During their conversation, Maria felt inspired to make a financial gift to Mount Angel Seminary, knowing that “there is a major need for more vocations and that the Holy Spirit was calling me to seek to try to reach out to Holy Mother Church in that way.”ĭeciding to pursue planned giving while suffering in the hospital may seem She asked him about his priestly calling and learned about his sincere desire to minister to God’s people. “He came across to me as a very modest, very humble, very faithful child of God,” recalls Maria. Sanchez, who has been assigned as chaplain to Rust Medical Center since 2021. It’s probably because we don’t see pain as a blessing from God.”Ī major blessing for Maria during her hospital stay came from a visit with Fr. Maria reflects, “when we find ourselves in pain or in a hospital, it sometimes becomes more difficult to see Divine Providence through the pain. “I placed my trust in God to have the medical team do their researching and checking and testing to find out what was ailing me.” Maria ultimately remained in the hospital for eight days and required about three months of home assignments and follow-up visits with doctors before she was back on her feet. The unexpected stay at the hospital was a trying experience for Maria. Edgar Sanchez ’15, a Mount Angel Seminary alumnus. During a lengthy stay at Presbyterian Rust Medical Center in April 2022, Maria felt that presence through the ministry of Fr. “When I see a priest, I see our Lord’s presence among us,” remarks Maria Cortez, a retired university administrator who resides in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

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Let Thy grace sanctify and dwell within this icon, that it may edify and inspire those who gaze upon it and venerate it that in glorifying the one depicted, they may be repentant of their sins and strengthened against every attack of the adversary. Fill my soul with joy and gladness, for Thou alone art the Lover of mankind.

Thou, Thyself, O LORD, art the fulfillment and completion of all good things.

This I ask through the intercession of Thy most Holy Mother, the Apostle Luke, and all the Saints. Protect them from all evil and instruct them with good counsel. Guide the hands of Thine unworthy servant so that I may worthily and perfectly portray Thine Icon, that of Thy Mother, and all the Saints, for the glory, joy and adornment of Thy Holy Church.įorgive my sins and the sins of those who will venerate these icons and who, kneeling devoutly before them, give homage to those they represent. O DIVINE LORD of all that exists, Thou hast illumined the Apostle and Evangelist Luke with Thy Holy Spirit, thereby enabling him to represent Thy most Holy Mother, the One who held Thee in her arms and said: The Grace of Him Who has been born of me is spread through the world!Įnlighten and direct my soul, my heart and my spirit. Spare him from temptations and diabolical imaginations in the name of Thy Mother, St. Thou Who hast so admirably imprinted Thy features on the cloth sent to King Abgar of Edessa, and hast so wonderfully inspired Luke Thy Evangelist: Enlighten my soul and that of Thy servant Guide his hand that he may reproduce Thy features, those of the Holy Virgin and of all Thy saints, for the glory and peace of Thy Holy Church. The joy of being in union with the Saint whose face you are revealing.Ī Prayer from Mt. The joy of giving the Saint the possibility to shine through his/her icon. Joy of spreading icons throughout the world. Be the first to pray before it, before giving it to others. Have your icon blessed by putting it on the Holy Table of your parish church. When your icon is finished, thank God that His Mercy granted you the grace to paint the Holy Images. When you choose a colour, stretch out your hands interiorly to the Lord and ask His Counsel.ĭo not be jealous of your neighbour’s work his/her success is your success too.

Keep your mind from distractions, and the Saint will be close to you. Pray in particular to the Saint whose face you are painting. Work with care on every detail of your icon, as if you were working in front of the Lord Himself.ĭuring work, pray in order to strengthen yourself physically and spiritually avoid all useless words, and keep silence. Before starting work, make the sign of the Cross pray in silence and pardon your enemies.

Kathy barron iconographer