In year two of preparation for the Diocesan Golden Jubilee, students at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Potomac Shores are kicking off the year by honoring Mary, including through art.
Invited by her art teacher, senior Moira Savidge painted a Marian picture to celebrate this year’s theme set out by the Arlington Diocese: “Rejoice.” This year’s theme commemorates Mary’s trust in the Lord and the faithful obedience articulated in her Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Lk 1:46-47). Savidge chose to base her portrait on the Marian title “Mary, the Most Perfect Creature.”
“I was just looking up titles of Mary on the internet, and I saw ‘Mary, the Most Perfect Creature.’ I think that just really struck a chord with me because I imagine her as the most beautiful woman in the world and I really wanted to depict her plain beauty,” Savidge said. She explained how it was important to her to depict Mary’s beauty not just in her physical appearance, but in her personality as well.
Savidge said Mary holds a special place in her life by being a bridge between her and Jesus and as a mother, Mary is especially approachable. “Christ in all of his glory can be intimidating sometimes,” she said. “Mary is my way of getting close to Christ Jesus in a really approachable manner.”
Savidge said she felt Mary’s grace helping her paint her portrait. “She painted herself really. I didn’t really do anything. I accepted the challenge to paint her, but I don’t think that I could have done that on my own. She definitely gave me grace in order to complete the painting.”
To increase Marian devotion, the portrait will travel to 21 different classrooms during the remainder of the school year. Teachers can sign up to have it for a week at a time. While the painting is in their classroom, teachers are encouraged to lead students in Marian prayers such as the rosary, Magnificat or Angelus.
“The point of our pilgrim image of Mary is to have her present in our lives and classrooms, and look at the world in the same way she did, recognizing Christ and making him present according to his will,” said Father Christopher F. Tipton, chaplain. “Mary wants to intercede in our lives, and this painting will help students open their hearts to Mary and her graces.”
Staff and students shared their thoughts on why it is important to honor Mary as a school. Mark Moran, a freshman biology teacher, shared that Mary has always protected him in his life, and he wants that for the students, too. “The Blessed Mother is a perfect example of how we should live our lives,” said Emilia Foster, the Options program teacher. “Without Mary, we wouldn’t have our path to salvation history.”
To further commemorate Mary, students will receive holy cards with the painting of Mary on the front and a prayer to her on the back.
As members of the community deepen their devotion to Mother Mary, they follow the great example of the school’s patron, St. John Paul II, who expressed his total consecration to Mary through his papal motto “Totus Tuus,” or “Totally yours.” Students are excited to start the new year off right and faithfully by honoring the Blessed Mother through sacred art and growing closer to her as a school community.
