Individual stories of devotion to Mary revealed in parish Marian art exhibit
By Christina Gray
“These all come from parishioners!” exclaimed Our Lady of Loretto parishioner Barbara Watson as she stood in wonder at the parish hall transformed into a astonishing nine-day Marian Art Exhibition. The exhibition was open to visitors after each Mass between Dec. 9-17.
Catholic San Francisco learned about the exhibit and visited on Dec. 13 a few days before it closed. The exhibit included a collection of museum-worthy Marian statues, paintings, icons, stitchery, mosaic, and more on temporary loan to the parish from parishioners themselves. The art was organized and curated under the theme: Mary in the Mysteries of the Rosary.
The bi-lingual exhibition, timed between the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8, and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12, was conceived by pastor Father Tony Vallecillo three years ago. It has been brought to fruition ever since by a committee of staff and parish volunteers. This year, each of the 10 committee members led by Mara Lisa Barnes, parish director of religious education, chose one Mystery and were responsible for that section, choosing a banner and an illustration of the fruits of that Mystery. Other artwork displayed at each table illustrated that particular Mystery. Taped music provided by parish music director Richard Elliott added to the ethereal atmosphere. At the entrance was a large world map of Marian apparitions, free Marian medals, and devotional literature.
“Some people would love the display to stay up longer,” said parishioner Cathy Stanek, who has been on the Marian Art Exhibition Committee since its first year.
The parish’s Hispanic community, she said, is always especially generous in the creation of the exhibit, she said, donating and/or making the curtains and tablecloths and many of the decorations that covered the tables. One Mystery display, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, projected the shadowed image of a flaming dove onto the ceiling.
While the owners of the art were not a feature of the display, nor their stories of personal devotion, it seemed that each piece had a story unique, precious and personal to each donor. One unique painting of an Asian depiction of Mary and Joseph had the name “Father Tony Vallecillo” on it. Another very large painting of Mary gazing upward, as if at the foot of the cross, presented an unconventional, but riveting visage of a mother’s sorrow.
Watson lifted a tiny, square framed Mary painting off the table in which it was displayed. She said the painting was hers, a gift from her grandmother to she and her husband, Jack, in 1969 on their first anniversary. On the back was this letter, still taped to the back today:
Accept this little Madonna, Barbara dear,
It’s an heirloom I’ve treasured many a year,
In times of stress (they come to us all)
I’d turn to her for comfort, and she always answered my call.
She was the mother of our Savior so she could recall
All the secret anxieties if we have any at all.
I’m not anticipating you’ll have them
But ‘tis well to feel you have someone in Heaven who understands
And can heal –
I’ve had great devotion to her throughout my married life,
And had the simple faith she could somehow end all strife.
She brought me happiness too throughout all these years,
Even ‘tho sometimes I came to her with my tears.
Besides the 10 Marian Mysteries parishioners have added to the exhibit by loaning their wonderful Marian statues and images. The Exhibit Hall will be open after all the Masses for 1-2 hours during Exhibit Week.
