The Catholic Book Blogger
PETE: What inspired you to take on the massive project that became your book Jesus Christ & The Virgin Mary in Art: A visual Prayer Book?
PATRICK FLANAGAN: This inspirational and devout book started 4 years ago after I became severely ill from being exposed to mold and was totally feeling hopeless. I began to literally “collect” oil paintings of Jesus Christ & The Virgin Mary so that I could focus on them, feel their richness and pray in the hope that I could feel something other than hopelessness. The more I gazed at the magnificent paintings from the 1200’s A.D. to the early 1900’s and prayed, I felt strength, realizing that Jesus Christ’s pain through His crucifixion, made my pain seem almost meaningless. I also felt true hope and the will to continue through four surgeries to now be as close to very healthy and able to function.
I realized that my experience with these spiritual paintings and meditating to reach Jesus & Mary in a much stronger way could help others –especially my partner in this book, Maryanne Rathbun Rennell, who was suffering in agony from debilitating grief caused by the death of her beloved son, Sgt, David “DJ” Stelmat who was the official 4,000th American killed in Iraq in March, 2008. I started sharing with her the poignant oil paintings of The Virgin Mary portrayed in the Seven Sorrows which not only depicted the agony and pain of Our Lady witnessing the violent torture, crucifixion and eventual death of her beloved Son, Jesus Christ, but displayed her unconditional love and devotion and her incredible strength and resiliency later. Maryanne began to pray and focus on all the hundreds of paintings in this collection and it started to give her strength. In time she became inspired to write Inspirational Devotions for each painting and that was when the concept of this book was born. We dedicated this book to Maryanne and her son “DJ” and the Virgin Mary & her Son.
This stunning “VISUAL PRAYER BOOK” takes Christian Meditation to a new beautiful “VISUAL” sensory level by combining the focusing of all our senses on the vivid images while praying―all leading to a stronger channel to absorb the love and strength of Jesus and The Virgin Mary.
These 300 inspirational oil paintings are presented as a “window” or a “meeting place” of our mind and soul between ourselves and God. We hope that our readers may find a capacity to move through and beyond to “contact” God in a direct, personal way― creating a time of communion in which you may be inspired, healed, reconciled, challenged, and nourished. Meditating with art―-particularly religious art―is a practical devotional tool that is highly portable and effective.
The presence and strength of God is all around us, all the time. The creativity of these spiritual paintings powerfully reaches us throughout our being. What emerges from the artist touches the viewer. The viewer opens to the spiritual realities the image presents. The image unites the artist and the viewer――and GOD AND OUR SPIRITUALITY IS AT THE CENTER. “FOCUS ON JESUS & YOU WILL REACH HIM” – this is the important concept and mantra of this book.
PETE: How long did it take you to complete the project?
PATRICK FLANAGAN: Once Maryanne started writing the Devotional Inspirations with her late son’s memory in mind, it took two full years of researching, comparing the various artists’ paintings, writing the biographies and finally choosing the final 300 paintings and the 36 artists and laying out the 36 chapters. Our talented Book Designer Martin Glavac worked tirelessly during the last year with us to not only do the important task of color correcting these paintings, but to give it the beautiful look and structure. Now we are all very happy this special book is starting its journey and sharing the inspirational images, Word and love of Jesus Christ & The Virgin Mary with devout Christians worldwide
PETE: How did you determine which artists and specifically pieces of art to include in this volume?
PATRICK FLANAGAN: We selected the best of the best artists and their paintings but we also chose as many “diversified” styles of paintings and as many different important scenes from the life of Jesus & Mary as possible. We also deliberately decided to juxtapose the artists and their styles , the years they were painted and the various artists’ interpretations from one chapter to another to truly demonstrate the difference between the styles, interpretations and effect of time on the paintings. You will move from the 1400’s to the 1800’s displaying totally different styles, painting techniques and interpretations. We believe that this methodology makes the book even more effective.
PETE: How do you see your book being used?
PATRICK FLANAGAN:Many people use “self-help” books to gain insight and understanding of problems in our lives. We believe that this is a “RELIGIOUS SELF-HELP” book that may be used effectively as a VISUAL PRAYER BOOK, a term we created. There is no stronger testament to the value of this enriching inspirational book than that it was so successful for Maryanne and I in recovering from our depression and suffering.
Christians throughout the world pray often, especially when they are hurting, sad, in grief, afraid, in need of guidance and strength; seeking God’s help, or even to avoid sin and much more. No matter what the daily situation or challenge you have for reaching Jesus and Mary in a much stronger way, if you use this beautiful book everyday, no matter what the reason, you will feel Jesus & Mary as you focus strongly on each and every painting simultaneously praying. You will find yourself reaching a meditative state of spirituality which will lift your spirit and strength.
Religious art historian and best selling author, Sister Wendy Beckett once observed: “I knew that if we really looked at all spiritual religious art, we would see that it draws us into something greater than ourselves, something beyond, something other…——- AND THAT SOMETHING IS GOD!”
PETE: Is there any possibility of a follow up volume?
PATRICK FLANAGAN: Yes, after we market this special book around the world and share our VISUAL PRAYER BOOK, we are contemplating a second book:
“GOD, SAINTS & THE ANGELS IN ART: A VISUAL PRAYER BOOK & ART ANTHOLOGY” There are so many more incredible and inspirational paintings of God, and hundreds of beautiful paintings of important Saints and spectacular paintings of Angels that can be used with bible verses and Daily Inspirational Devotions for yet another effective “VISUAL PRAYER BOOK”
PETE: Time for my signature ending question. This is a blog about books. What books are currently on your bookshelf to read?
PATRICK FLANAGAN: Unfortunately the marketing of this book with our several distributors is truly more than a full time job for Maryanne & I, but I currently enjoying reading the terrific mystery/crime novels of Elmore Leonard, who died this past year to unwind my mind.
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You can find out more about Patrick and his work by visiting and liking his Facebook page www.Facebook.com/
HERE IS A VALUABLE “20% OFF” DISCOUNT CODE to buy our magnificent book: “JESUS CHRIST & THE VIRGIN MARY IN ART: A VISUAL PRAYER BOOK” for only $28 plus shipping. Please click to open this link for our main book website:http://www.bookmasters.com/marktplc/04797.php – press the ORDER BUTTON & insert this promo code: “FACEBOOK 2015″ in caps and receive your 20% discount.
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