St. Eugene de Mazenod
by Lauretta Agolli

Lauretta explains: 

"Each icon is an entire world in and of itself and serves as a window to heaven and a path to the Divine. The frame represents the temporal world.   

The halo typically is drawn so that it is with in the recessed area as well as on the frame indicating that the Saint that is written on the board is of a Transcendent nature.

In all the locations where gold is placed as well as around the frame, the icon is painted with a natural red clay that is finely ground. The Clay represents Adam or mankind.  Once the Clay has dried it is sanded and burnished to a  mirror like gloss.  At that point pure gold is applied by warming the Clay by breathing on it and then applying the gold. Gold represents God and The Divine Light and the breath, the Holy Spirit.  The act of the Iconographers blowing on the clay reminds us of the act of creation and the breath of life.

In the case of this icon of St. Eugene, his arms are crossed, symbolizing complete submission and humility before God.  In one hand he is holding the Oblate cross and in the other hand is a scroll on which are the words, “He has sent me to bring good news to the poor”.  St. Eugene is wearing a blue outer garment which implies that he is clothed in the divine presence.  His green inner garment and cloth holding the cross around his neck symbolizes new life, beginnings and hope.  The gold background is the eternal uncreated light of God and His heavenly kingdom.   St. Eugene is looking at the viewer, calling us to join him in his mission and blessing us at the same time.  

It is only after praying with the icon many times that I became aware that the cross around St. Eugene’s neck has eight arms.  I wonder if in his wisdom he was already blessing the eight arms of the Mazenodian Family."