Visio Divina with Mary
- thefruitfulhollow
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
As we continue through the Month of Mary in May, we invite you to grab some coffee or tea and do a practice that you may never have tried: Visio Divina. Please do not be daunted : it is simply sitting with an image and taking some time to reflect on the deeper points of faith that the picture is guiding us towards. You can sit with the pictures and ponder for as long or as little as you need, and always come back to them or to other paintings whenever your soul needs some more art that can lead it back to God.
By meditating on these three paintings of Mary, along with the simple prompts under each one, we hope that you can enter into a deeper relationship with not only our Mother, but her Son that she always points us toward.
Focus on one aspect of the scene. Maybe it’s the more muted colors. Maybe the quietness of the room before it was disturbed by the Angel Gabriel. The silence Mary might have been quietly praying or resting in before her world was changed. What stands out to you?
Take a moment and sit with the expression on Mary’s face. It is not joyful. Like you or I might be doing in the midst of a surprising announcement or hard decision, she is pondering quietly. Taking it all in. How often do we allow ourselves that time to breathe and truly ask ourselves what God is calling us to do because of, rather than in spite of, our cross and doubts?
Mary is resting on her bed when Gabriel visits her in Tanner’s depiction of the Annunciation. Difficult or unexpected news can show up at the most surprising or mundane times. How can we allow God into those moments? How can we let God be seen in our day to day? To say our simple fiats in the simple and hard moments of our lives?
Focus on one aspect of the scene. Maybe it’s all the different people gathered to see Mary enter Heaven. Maybe it’s the simpleness of Mary’s clothing despite her title as Queen of Heaven and Mother of God. Maybe, like me, you can hear the triumphant heavenly noise at the moment of Mother and Son being reunited. What stands out to you?
Look at Mary’s expression and body language. Her head and eyes are focused toward heaven, her hands folded in prayer. She is ever looking toward (and trusting in) Love Itself, Her Son. In our sorrows and triumphs, may we take the example of Mary and never forget that all must be given to God, and that Love happily receives the tears and joyful shouts we give to It.
One of Mary’s titles is “Queen of Saints”, and you can certainly see that title on display here as both angels and saints flock to our heavenly Mother. Think of your relationship with her, and how the saints before you also took comfort in being under her loving protection. How can you seek refuge in her powerful, protective arms?
Focus on one aspect of the scene. Maybe it’s the elaborate details of Mary’s crown or robe. Maybe it’s the quiet, reflective look as she reads. Maybe it’s the rays of light behind her. What stands out to you?
What is Mary reading? Scripture or prayers? What helps you refocus your relationship with God or with Mary? How do prayer and reading play a part in your faith journey?
Twelve stars and various kinds of flowers (lilies, columbines, lilies of the valley) adorn the crown. How do these point to Mary’s role and the honor we give her? Why do these little details mean so much to the painter and audience as we reflect on artwork?
We hope that was a fruitful exercise for you as much as it was for us.
Let it be a gentle reminder that God can speak to us and nourish us in images around us as much as in quiet prayer or scripture.
May Mary comfort you as she walks with you toward her Son.
And know that we are always praying for you.