Finding Faith in design.
Ave Maria Statue. © Cynthia Friese. 2019.
I am no theologian, but one thing that sits in my heart right now is how the breath of the holy spirit can truly create beauty among us… and this past month and half I have been on quite a journey of saying yes to Finding Faith in design.
It all began with trying to find rest and scrolling the Hallow App . I wanted to listen to something calming to distract myself from the noise in the other rooms of the house. I soon came across an “Old Saintly Friend” in the series, Witness of Hope: Walk and Pray through the life of John Paul II. If anything it did was the quite opposite of “calm”, it ignited me something I never imagined. Those 10 days of Prayer and Reflection cracked my heart open to a journey of healing and a possibility that I hadn’t felt in years. I then also revisited JPII’s Letter to Artists (April 4, 1999) reminding me of God’s call for us to create as well. While delving into the beauty of his encyclical, I remembered how God’s creative spark even enlightened JPII as a Actor, Writer and Poet even in the midst’s of darkness of WWII and later under Communist rule.
Honestly for the first time in my life after rereading JPII letter from years ago, I apprehensively asked Christ to use my own creativity to bring others to HIM in my own little way. I never ever expected the beautiful flood gate of inspiration that would come my way.
It’s amazing how when you say “Yes” among the doubts of your abilities, Christ transforms your unworthiness. Filling the missing pieces with his grace. I had no idea of where that prayer would lead me…
But, a day later mindlessly doing my morning scrolling on Instagram, I came across Jonathan Roumie (the Catholic Actor that plays Jesus in the series Chosen) who created quite a Catholic buzz with his custom t-shirt that he wore to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Photo EWTN via National Catholic Registry.
It’s simple type with its bold message definitely stirred up faith filled thought and conversation. It’s example inspired like a spark, that just maybe with my own burgeoning Graphic Design knowledge, I could too create something that could go beyond all the Designer Graphic Tee’s I see all the time that carry little to no meaning.
I thought instantly of my beloved childhood statue of Mary and how it’s beauty had been with me since my First Holy Communion.
I soon sat with this holy spark of an idea. Taking it to prayer and reflection. Remembering it’s story:
How it was a gift from Golda and her sister Grace, the sweet elderly parishioners of our church that my Mother brought holy communion to weekly after picking me up from Catholic School. I always looked so forward to these visits at their little apartment. Grace was my favorite so joyful and playful. Golda on the other hand was so kind, but a little reserved and spent most of the time helping my mother with the light cleaning she did for them on our visits. Now looking back, the sisters so reminded me of Martha and Mary -Lazarus’s sisters from the bible. So, very different, but holiness abounding.
I remember so fondly after my First Holy Communion mass my Mom with Jesus in her dress pocket dropped my Dad off at home and we went immediately to see the Sisters for a special Sunday visit. I know my Mother did go there alone on Sundays after Mass often. But, this time was different, still wearing my veil and dress, I went along to have a little celebration with them. I know Grace soon after we arrived and had communion, wanted to know all the details of the Mass. We had cake and Ice Cream as well. Then as Grace and I spoke. Golda and my Mom left the living room and went to her room. Soon arriving back with Mary, a 6-inch golden stone statue from Rome. I never had seen something so beautiful in my 9 years. Her quiet glance downward, folded hands and brilliant etched crown. Golda gently handed her to me and let me know how special she was and to be very careful with her.
Writing this now, I realize how much I became Mary’s girl that day. My devotion to the Blessed Mother has never waivered even when my faith has. Coming to Jesus through his Beloved Mother always strengthens my heart. I still also often feel Golda and Grace’s prayers follow me. Especially now…
What a fitting tribute of love to share Our Lady again in a new way.
I soon after went to my computer and found my photo of the Mary statue and created a sketched version with ease. I also added my own handwritten small inscription of AVE MARIA next to it bottom right image. I have worked tirelessly to create and perfect the designs from the original photographic image. If you are wondering where the Mary statue is right now, far away in my storage unit back home in Minnesota.
Once the designs were finished, I found a print on demand service online and soon ordered some mock-ups and a week later they arrived!!! I opened the package and cried. It was so lovely and simple to see my Mary Statue come to life in T-shirt form. Now I am eager to share her with others even if it is a few people.
I am currently busy creating my little shop, writing copy and even working on other designs. It has brought me so much closer to my Faith again and a boldness in it that I never thought I could muster up. I pray daily that it is received not through my expectations, but Christ’s. That it’s truly HIS work through his Mother’s intercession, not mine. I am just saying Yes to whatever HE and his Mother ask of me. I will be the first to admit I have a lot of fear and doubt that comes along with this little project. I pray multiple times a day that HE replaces that fear and doubt with love and worthiness to share with others.
Love, Cynthia