photomontage by lisa a. johnston
Saint Teresa of Avila was once traveling through Spain as she paused for a small break along a rocky road. As she sat beneath a tree she gazed upon some weedy flowers growing along the path. Her soul immediately sensed God's almighty perfection through His creation and she was enraptured. She meditated in prayer upon the simple and 
infinite beauty of a small wildflower growing on the ground. It lie there unnoticed in its beauty by the stomping foot of the passing traveler but she saw in this flower the beauty of all Creation and more importantly the infinite beauty of the Creator. Teresa wrote of her love for fields, water and flowers, "they awakened me, helped me to recollect myself". In this practice, the soul moves forward as it is inspired by the sweetness it finds. The soul does not rest as it is constantly drawn more deeply to recollection and prayerful contemplation in God. The soul then continues to animate one's entire being living its daily life.
Through the medium of photography I endeavor to capture the beauty of the common, allowing it to transcend the obvious and mundane effect it takes upon the mind. In a sense, we are often blind to what we see in our daily lives. Photography practices taking a singular moment out of time, capturing it and placing it into the infinite space of eternity. In that moment of visual space, a recollected silence exists and the soul is able to occupy itself with quiet prayer. Like Saint Teresa's reaction to the commonplace the imagery should move beyond the mind and stir the soul to prayerful meditation of the Creator.
To convey the beautiful titles bestowed upon the Virgin Mary in the Litany of Loreto through photographic montage and the utilization of organic symbolisms and traditional iconographic identifiers, I hope to further illustrate the beauty of living symbolic objects which are commonplace. By building a spiritual awareness of God in His creations we experience Him not just in our ordinary prayer-life but can witness and contemplate Him as He exists outside of the sanctuaries of familiar prayer. With grace, this leads a soul to a whole new form of prayer and takes it from a vocal recitation of oration into a more thoughtful and deeper prayer of meditation.
I endeavor to remain in prayer as I work on my imagery, and for this series of images my heart kept united as I visually pondered the hidden depths and the symbolism of the imagery. This is a traditional technique used in the artistic creation of iconographic images. The artist "prays the painting" instead of "paints the painting", and when the image is complete, the icon is referred to as a prayer. Surely there is much to be said about the tradition of iconography but more important, more to be prayed and meditated on!
I was so blessed to contemplate the beautiful titles of Mary in the Litany of Loreto as it allowed me to admire her astounding virtue and goodness. The Virgin Mother leads us in prayer to where she wants us to be – with her Son. Mary always, always, always leads us to Jesus. It is there that she wishes to be, loving Him as much as she does -- as a Queen Mother! She is a perfect example of grace and beauty of soul. May we imitate her often!
Litany of Loreto
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,
pray for us..
Holy Mother of God,
pray for us..
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us..
Mother of Christ,
pray for us..
Mother of the Church
pray for us..
Mother of divine grace,
pray for us..
Mother most pure,
pray for us..
Mother most chaste,
pray for us..
Mother inviolate,
pray for us..
Mother undefiled,
pray for us..
Mother most amiable,
pray for us..
Mother most admirable,
pray for us..
Mother of good counsel,
pray for us..
Mother of our Creator,
pray for us..
Mother of our Savior,
pray for us..
Virgin most prudent,
pray for us..
Virgin most venerable,
pray for us..
Virgin most renouned,
pray for us..
Virgin most powerful,
pray for us..
Virgin most merciful,
pray for us..
Virgin most faithful,
pray for us..
Mirror of justice,
pray for us..
Seat of wisdom,
pray for us..
Cause of our joy,
pray for us..
Spiritual vessel,
pray for us..
Vessel of honor,
pray for us..
Singular vessel of devotion,
pray for us..
Mystical rose,
pray for us..
Tower of David,
pray for us..
Tower of ivory,
pray for us..
House of gold,
pray for us..
Ark of the covenant,
pray for us..
Gate of heaven,
pray for us..
Morning star,
pray for us..
Health of the sick,
pray for us..
Refuge of sinners,
pray for us..
Comforter of the afflicted,
pray for us..
Help of Christians,
pray for us..
Queen of Angels,
pray for us..
Queen of Patriarchs,
pray for us..
Queen of Prophets,
pray for us..
Queen of Apostles,
pray for us..
Queen of Martyrs,
pray for us..
Queen of Confessors,
pray for us..
Queen of Virgins,
pray for us..
Queen of all Saints,
pray for us..
Queen conceived without original sin,
pray for us..
Queen assumed into heaven,
pray for us..
Queen of the most holy Rosary.
pray for us..
Queen of the family,
pray for us..
Queen of Peace, pray for us
pray for us..
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord..
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us O Lord..
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us..
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ..
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Chrsit our Lord. (Amen.)
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This list contains the artist guide to each image in the exhibit in PDF format:
Foederis Arca - Ark of the Covenant
Mater Christi - Mother of Christ
Mater Creatoris - Mother of the Creator
Mater Salvatoris - Mother of our Savior
Regina sine labe originali concepta - Queen conceived without original sin
Sedes Sapientia - Seat of Wisdom
List of symbols:
- Red Rose Petals- Red represents the ardent love with which the heart of Mary was always inflamed towards God. The red signifies the mortification of her flesh and her compassion for the world. Red also symbolizes the blood of the cross which she was to stand under. The rose is the queen of wreath-flowers and ornamental expression of beauty.
- White Rose- Mary is the rose of purity. White for Mary's virginal purity and virtue which brings salvation into the world by the fruit of her womb. The rose is the antithesis of the thorny stem, its beautiful maturation and perfection of the flowers accomplishment. As the delightful and very gentle rose springs forth from a thorny bush without injuring the mother that it hides with delightful charm, so Mary, from the race of the guilty Eve, could as the second virgin wash away, with the coming sacred light, the fault of the first virgin. The Rose as the queen of flowers is a privileged symbol for Mary, Queen of heaven and earth. The white rose is used as a symbol of spiritual rebirth and perpetual virginity. Dante uses the symbol of the rose to represent the whole of the universe. its multiple petals, it is a beautiful image of our expanding cosmos. "In the form of a resplendent white rose, the holy army (meaning the saints), appeared to me, that Christ made his bride in his own blood…descended into the great flower, beautiful with all its petals, and then ascended again to the eternal indwelling of its love (meaning God)...When they descended into the flower, from rank to rank, they sent peace and ardor..." Christ is always at the center of the rose as the mystery of His incarnation in the womb of the Virgin.
- Thorn- Thorns of the rose bush represent the sin of Eve bringing death to the world. The thorns are also wrapped as in a circular crown representative of the sorrowful crown worn by the Savior. It is the crown woven with the sin of Eve and of all time and is transformed into a king's headpiece of honor and glory by the Redeemer of Man.
- Three Petals Three Roses- Symbols of the Holy Trinity. Also, the humble supplication of heart and soul Mary gives separately to each person of the blessed Trinity.
- Atrina rigida- Fan shaped shells. This creature produces a valuable pearl which is considered the "soul" of the creature. The pearl is symbolic of the kingdom of heaven and the pearl is used as a symbol of the word of God. Jesus would be the "pearl" of his mother's womb. We may consider the quote from Mathew 13:45. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls. (Iterum simile est regnum caelorum homini negotiatori quaerenti bonas margaritas).
- Chambered Nautilus- Symbolic of the womb of both Mary and her mother, Ana, the shell is a container of life. It is a symbol of internal harmony and the perfection of nature. The nautilus shell evokes a sense of mystery and awe. Its spiral structure displays perfect mathematical proportion. The nautilus shell is lined with mother-of-pearl and is a relatively unchanged form for 450 million years. The cephalpod grows into increasingly larger chambers throughout its life cycle symbolizing protection, expansion, and renewal.
- Paper Nautilus- The Argonaut female makes this protective shell for her eggs. After she deposits her eggs in the floating egg case, the female takes shelter in it herself, often along with the male. The maternal world of symbiotic nurturance and intimacy is symbolized in the nautilus shell. As a "cradle" or womb the beautiful paper thin shell bears witness to the power of dependence and protection from the outside world. The internalized world of the shell is an enclosure of love and security.
- Adiantum capillus veneris (maidenhair fern)- Flowers associated with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, are deeply intertwined with ancient lore that can be traced back beyond the Christian era. This particular fern originally was the symbol of the "hair of the goddess Venus", but has since been transformed into another of the Virgin Mary's flowers.
- Tree/Twigs with Buds- The "tree of life" from the Garden of Eden in Genesis. The bud spoken of by the Prophet Isaias: In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them that shall have escaped of Israel. (Isaias 4:2.)
- Tree Branches- The branches are used to form the shape of a Chalice which is an emblem of faith. Also, the branch is used as a symbol of Christ. The "tree of life" is mystical symbol and common to many world religions. The prophet Isaiah" "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots." [IS 11:1] The branch is also a prefigurement of the tree upon which Christ will be crucified and Redeem all men.
- Persimmon- Many cultures use the Persimmon as Christians do as an apple symbol. In this image, the persimmon is used as a symbol if spring and transformation. The green persimmon is acrid and bitter, but the fruit becomes very sweet as it ripens. Man lived in separation from God through the sin of Adam and Eve. Mary, who was preserved from this sin through grace, participated in helping the transformation of the world to be re-united with God through His son, the child in her womb. Also, through the bitterness of Christ passion, He redeemed Man who from thenceforth may be united in the sweetness of Eternal life. In the persimmon poem by Gary Snyder, the "deep in the dark of a tomb" emerges with a persimmon ripe to the bottom.
- Tulip- A symbol of purity, perfection, mercy and majesty. Along with the meaning of the rose in the west, the tulip was a symbol of perfect love in ancient Persia. It was the emblem of the rulers of the Ottoman empire and of Constantinople, their capital city. Legend tells of a Persian youth, named Ferhad, who fell in love with a young woman named Shirin. She did not reciprocate his feelings for her, so he went out into the desert to die, presumably from a broken heart. As his heart ached, his tears fell into the sand and turned into beautiful tulips. Amongst the Persians, the tulip is an offering a young man makes to his beloved.
- Seed Pods- Milk seed pods and flower montaged into the shape of a vessel. The imagery of seed have multiple meanings which include:
The creation of the World through the power of the Creator.
The seed of the Holy Spirit
Seed in the line of Abraham
Seed as a symbol of Faith
Milk seed as mothers milk
White seed as symbol of purity
Shape of the pods as a vessel denotes (the Holy Spirit being poured into a loving and obedient container which is the soul of the Virgin Mary. - Lily- The lily is a symbol of purity, perfection, mercy and majesty.. The Easter lily, a particular variety which blooms in spring from a seemingly lifeless bulb, has become symbolic of Christ's Resurrection. "Send forth flowers, as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in his works." [Ecclesiasticus 39:19] The Angel Gabriel who is shown holding a lily during the annunciation, signifying chastity. The lily's stalk signifies Mary's religious mind, the leaves her humility, the white petals her virginity and it's scent her divinity. Legend holds it that the lily grew from Eve's tears as she left the Garden of Eden.
- Crown of Rose Thorns- Thorns of the rose bush represent the sin of Eve bringing death to the world. The thorns are also wrapped as in a circular crown representative of the sorrowful crown worn by the Savior. It is the crown woven with the sin of Eve and of all time and is transformed into a king's headpiece of honor and glory by the Redeemer of Man.
- Butterfly- a symbol of the resurrection, usually in the hand of the Christ Child additionally with the stages of the caterpillar representing life and the chrysalis representing death.
- White Circle- TSymbolizing the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist instituted by Christ and which was prefigured by the manna in the desert. The circular shape also represents God's magnitude and eternal time.
- Sawtooth Oak Seed- TThe mighty oak grows from a small acorn like the Church which rose out of the salvation earned through Christ. Mary's womb the pod which holds the seed, Christ the sewer who brings redemption to the world of sin. God the creator's almighty power shown both visibly and invisibly. The Oak Tree symbolizes Christ's unshakeable faith and virtue and legend believes Oak to be the wood of the cross. In Judaism, the oak is the tree of the Covenant and signifies God's presence.
- Doves nest- TThe image of the doves nest is symbolic of the home of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit in this case, is to make its home in the womb of the Virgin. The image is duplicitous and also serves as an image of foreshadowing a crown of thorns which symbolizes the ultimate sorrowful mystery and passion of Jesus.
- Myrrh- TA gift brought by Caspar, one of the three wisemen who followed the star to Bethlehem. The myrrh plant containes various medicinal uses. This gift represents Christ's human nature, the Suffering Savior, the Great Physician, and the Passion. Because myrrh was used in the embalming or anointing of the dead, it came to represent mortality, suffering, and sorrow. Nicodemus brought "a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds" to prepare Jesus's body for burial [John 19:39]. "Myrrh and aloes, by their bitterness, their pleasant perfume, and their preserving qualities, represent the penance by which we preserve our souls from the corruption of sin and the pleasing odor of a good report rising before God " -- ThomasAquinas – [Summa Theologica v. 5 p. 694] The psalmist portrays Christ as a king upon His wedding day being clothed in garments "scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia" [Psa 45:8]
- Green- color is an emblem of spring, hope, and victory.
- Pomegranate- symbol of love and of Christ's Passion. It symbolizes unity or nourishment of the soul. The round has a purplish-red shell and is completely packed with seeds, each of which is encased in a sack of blood red, delicious but sometimes bitter juice. Each fruit may contain up to 1,000 seeds representing "the Word of God" "The seed is the Word of God." [Luke 8:11]. Christ, The Word of God sent as our Savior was God's promise to man. The blood red juice suggests the blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanses us from all sin. Christ is the Bridegroom in Song of Songs as he listens to the soul who seeks Him: " I will take hold of thee, and bring thee into my mother's house: there thou shalt teach me, and I will give thee a cup of spiced wine and new wine of my pomegranates." [Canticles8:2]
- Crucifix (sea sailfish bone)- a reminder of Christ's passion, this bone symbolizes Christ body upon the cross.
- Hand of Benediction- Symbolizes the Father, as Blessor. Traditionally "Sedes Sapientia" "Seat of Wisdom" has been portrayed as the Virgin Mary wearing a veil or crown and holding an "un-childlike" Infant Christ who is seated on her lap. Christ holds His hand in benediction or with a book (of Holy Wisdom). The hand of benediction is also the hand used in the sacramental life for example in ordination and Eucharistic consecration also hands are united in marriage. Raising the hand is an act of the human will and it is united in the divinity of a prayerful blessing.
- The Sand Dollar- Symbols contained within the physical structure of a sand dollar are the birth and death of Jesus Found on the shell are four holes representative of the nails Christ was crucified with. There is a fifth hole symbolizing the one made by the Roman's spear. The marks also symbolize God pouring out His creation and the Holy Spirit awaiting to spread love and peace.
- Guilfordia yoka (Star Shell)- represents divine guidance and favor, especially the star of Bethlehem that led the Three Wise men to the Christ Child. Twelve stars may represent the twelve tribes of Israel or the twelve apostles. The Queen of Heaven is crowned with twelve stars.. Shells are also used in art as symbols of birth and fertility.
- 12 Stars- Revelation 11:19 – 12:1 A woman crowened with 12 stars.
- Crown symbol- In a mystic sense the crown denote the "bride of Christ". This symbolises her sovereignty as Queen of Heaven.
- Smoke- Representative of the Holy Spirit, smoke is also a symbol purification and of washing away sin and impurity. Smoke is also a symbol of prayer as incense smoke wafts upward, so prayer ascends before God "And the temple was filled with smoke from the majesty of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled." [Rev. 15:8]