Sister Wilhelmina

 A Charcoal Drawing

I’ve finished another drawing! This one is compressed charcoal drawing on 6x8 paper. 

Here is some information from Wikipedia about her, Four years after her death, the Benedictine Sisters exhumed Sister Wilhelmina's body on the feast of Louis de Montfort so her remains could be re-interred in their church. The sisters expected to find bones but after a few days of digging, they lifted up the simple wooden coffin and quickly noticed a massive crack down the middle of the lid. The prioress of the order, Mother Cecilia, discovered that their foundress' remains, including her religious habit, were almost perfectly intact."

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 Our Lady of Mount Carmel

I am finally getting around to posting this painting I finished way back in July. If I recall correctly, I finished this one slightly before the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This is an oil on canvas. I originally did a base coat maybe a year or so ago with acrylic and just got around to finishing it off with oil paint.

Below is a poem a found that is said to have been written by Saint Simon Stock, the Carmelite monk who received the brown scapular from Mary. Part of this poem/hymn is chanted/ included in the Carmelite form of the mass.

Flos Carmeli, vitis florigera, splendor cæli, virgo puerpera singularis. Mater mitis sed viri nescia Carmelitis da privilegia Stella Maris. Radix Jesse germinans flosculum nos ad esse tecum in sæculum patiaris. Inter spinas quæ crescis lilium serva puras mentes fragilium tutelaris. Armatura fortis pugnantium furunt bella tende præsidium scapularis. Per incerta prudens consilium per adversa iuge solatium largiaris. Mater dulcis Carmeli domina, plebem tuam reple lætitia qua bearis. Paradisi clavis et ianua, fac nos duci quo, Mater, gloria coronaris. Amen. (Alleluia.)

Flower of Carmel, Tall vine blossom laden; Splendour of heaven, Childbearing yet maiden. None equals thee. Mother so tender, Who no man didst know, On Carmel's children Thy favours bestow. Star of the Sea. Strong stem of Jesse, Who bore one bright flower, Be ever near us And guard us each hour, who serve thee here. Purest of lilies, That flowers among thorns, Bring help to the true heart That in weakness turns and trusts in thee. Strongest of armour, We trust in thy might: Under thy mantle, Hard press'd in the fight, we call to thee. Our way uncertain, Surrounded by foes, Unfailing counsel You give to those who turn to thee. O gentle Mother Who in Carmel reigns, Share with your servants That gladness you gained and now enjoy. Hail, Gate of Heaven, With glory now crowned, Bring us to safety Where thy Son is found, true joy to see. Amen. (Alleluia.)