Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Thursday, December 02, 2010

Schutzmantel Madonna

.

Last evening was my last class in preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. I wish that you could have joined me for my class. I know you would have loved it. Though I'm not much of a class goer, the instruction was really very interesting -- so much more so than just muddling through myself. Yes, I could have, would have muddled through, but when God sends you a beautiful, on-fire priest to give you aid, you grab on and don't let go.

Last night, Fr. Adam mentioned an image of Our Mother that intrigued me and I looked up this morning. What an image! It is the Schutzmantel Madonna. From my German student son -- schutz meaning protective or protection, and mantel meaning coat or cloak, outer garment. It's really more of a concept than a thing -- a cover of protection of sorts, and the Schutzmantel Madonna is Mary's protective cloak, or mantle as we are prone to call it in reference to our Holy Mother.

I Googled it this morning (again, what would we do without Google?) and found this.




This one is known as the Virgin of Mercy. Every website I found it on is written in German, so I don't know anything about it, but I think it is found in Marpingen, Germany.

There are many versions, statues and paintings, and depending on how you like your Mary to look, you might like another, but it's such a beautiful concept, don't you think? To imagine oneself under Mary's coat, under her protective care, inside her, as Our Lord Jesus was.


.

7 comments:

  1. Love this and your new advent picture!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful. Can't help but think of A Christmas Carol, though.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love that Madonna! I usually ask Mary to keep all under her loving and protecting mantle so this is just . . . just . . . beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks, Allison.

    Sara,
    I'm sorry I am culturally illiterate -- why the Christmas Carol?

    Sarah,
    She is beautiful isn't she? I love the image.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello,
    I found your blog by searching for a Picture of the "Schutzmantel Madonna" or " Our Lady of Mercy" in English1 This Statue is absolutely beautiful, and I would like to ask You, if I may copy it for my Website,which is called :" Our Lady of Refuge". it is really hard to find a good Picture of this special Madonna, and this one appealed to me right away!
    Whenever You have time, Please let me know!

    Wishing you Abundant Blessings and a wonderful Weekend,

    Christine Lammermann

    ReplyDelete
  6. Christine, I have no ownership of this photo and "borrowed" it myself. I can't imagine anyone minding you using it in praise of Our Blessed Mother. God bless. And have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you very much Barbara!
    I am with a group who is building a new Congragation, and now i am writing the Website and the Blog, I never thought I would be that busy! But what Joy it brings to work for Our Lord and Our Lady! Thank you again, and Abundant Blessings to You, with all my Heart!

    Christine Lammermann

    http://ourladyofrefuge1.wordpress.com
    http://our-lady-of-refuge.org
    http://trusthismercy.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!