http://www.avemariadesigns.ca/, http://www.avemariacollection.com/

Ave Maria Designs, P. O. Box 28061, Victoria, BC (2026)

05/25/2026

🖼️ The Pentecost (1615-1620), Juan Bautista Maino
📍 Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain

The Pentecost is one of the most ambitious religious compositions by Juan Bautista Maíno. Created for the high altar of the Barefoot Carmelite convent in Toledo, this monumental work reflects Maíno’s deep engagement with early seventeenth century Italian art, particularly the influence of the Bolognese school.

The Virgin Mary stands prayerfully amid the Apostles in the upper room. She occupies the center, clothed in a red tunic beneath her veil and cloak, radiating quiet authority. The Apostles surround her in humble dress and restrained gestures. Mary Magdalene kneels closest to the viewer, her upward gaze and open hands expressing profound interior surrender.

Above, the Holy Spirit descends as a luminous white dove, its wings outstretched amid cherubim, sending tongues of fire upon the faithful.

📖 “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” — Acts 2:1–4

04/08/2026

🖼️ The Coronation of the Virgin (c. 1635), Diego Velazquez
📍 Museo del Prado, Madrid

Mary is lifted gently upon the clouds, surrounded by angels, as Christ and God the Father place a crown upon her head. Above them, the Holy Spirit appears as a dove, completing the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

Her calm expression and humble posture draw the soul to quiet prayer and contemplation.

📖 “Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things.” — Catechism of the Catholic Church, 966

If this image speaks to your heart, you are welcome to share it with a friend or visit https://avemariadesigns.ca/ to explore our collection of sacred art.

04/05/2026

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
📖 John 20:1–9

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb.

The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in.

Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.

Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

🖼️ The Resurrection (1881), Carl Heinrich Bloch
📍 Saint Jacobs Church, Copenhagen, Denmark

04/03/2026

📖 Isaiah 53:4–5

“Surely he has borne our infirmities
and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.”

📖 John 19:17–18, 28–30

“So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross by himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them.

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said, in order to fulfil the scripture, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

🖼️ Christ Crucified (1632), Diego Velazquez
📍 Museo del Prado, Madrid

03/27/2026

🖼️ The Entry of Christ into Jerusalem (c. 1617), Anthony van Dyck
📍 Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indiana, United States

Christ rides humbly upon a donkey, His robes of deep blue and crimson flowing around Him. He is surrounded by His disciples and welcomed by a jubilant crowd who cast branches before Him. The energy of the figures and the vivid colour reflect Van Dyck’s youthful mastery of the Baroque style, filling the scene with movement and immediacy.

This scene commemorates the beginning of Holy Week, when Christ is hailed as King even as He approaches His Passion. The triumph is genuine, yet it foreshadows the Cross. Van Dyck captures both the excitement of the crowd and the quiet majesty of Christ, who enters not as a conqueror of armies but as the Prince of Peace.

📖 "A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds... were shouting, 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!'" — Matthew 21:8-9

You are welcome to explore our collection through the link in our bio, or send us a message if you would like help finding a piece.

03/26/2026

🖼️ The Last Supper (c. 1652), Philippe de Champaigne
📍 Louvre Museum, Paris, France

In this solemn and contemplative vision of the Last Supper, Philippe de Champaigne invites us into the quiet gravity of the moment when Christ gathers with His Apostles on the eve of His Passion. The gestures are restrained and the faces deeply human. Yet within the simplicity of the scene unfolds one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith.

📖 “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” — Luke 22:19

Here the Lord gives Himself completely. In the humble signs of bread and wine, Christ offers His Body and Blood as a sacrament of love and a bond of unity for His Church. The Eucharist remains the heart of Catholic life, where the faithful encounter the living presence of the One who continues to nourish His people with divine charity.

You are welcome to explore our collection through the link in our bio, or send us a message if you would like help finding a piece.

03/25/2026

🎨 The Annunciation (1672), Luca Giordano
📍 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

In this scene of divine encounter, the Blessed Virgin Mary receives the message of the angel Gabriel with humility and trust. Her quiet openness reveals the heart of true discipleship.

The Gospel of Luke preserves her beautiful response. These words echo through the centuries and call each of us to welcome God’s will with faith.

📖 “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.” — Luke 1:38

03/20/2026

🖼️ Sorrowful Mother (c. 1605-1606), Bartolome Esteban Murillo
📍 National Trust Collections, Tyntesfield, England

In this tender painting, Spanish master Bartolomé Esteban Murillo portrays the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows, the Mother who unites her heart to her Son’s suffering. Her face lifts gently toward heaven, her eyes reflecting quiet sorrow and unwavering trust in God. Draped in a blue mantle over a red gown, she clasps her hands over her heart in prayerful surrender. A soft halo glows around her head against a simple, dark background.

With delicate light and tenderness, Murillo reveals her deep human grief and profound peace, drawing us into quiet contemplation of a mother’s love perfectly joined to God’s will.

How does Our Lady's sorrowful trust touch your heart today? Share in the comments, or take a moment to reflect on Simeon’s words with her.

📖 “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” — Luke 2:34–35

✨ Bring the quiet presence of Our Lady of Sorrows into your home. Link in bio.

03/20/2026

🖼️ The Woman Taken in Adultery (c. 1621), Guercino
📍 Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, United Kingdom

In this powerful Baroque scene, Guercino captures the stillness before mercy is spoken. A woman accused of adultery stands surrounded by those ready to condemn her, while Christ remains calm and attentive at the centre. Subtle gestures and quiet glances heighten the tension of the moment. Light falls across the gathered figures, illuminating not only the drama of the scene but the deeper truth that justice is fulfilled in mercy.

The Gospel reveals the heart of Christ, who does not deny the reality of sin but calls every soul to conversion with compassion and truth. In the silence before His words, we are invited to examine our own hearts and remember that God’s mercy is always greater than our failings.

📖 “When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’” — John 8:7

03/19/2026

🖼️ Saint Joseph (c. 1868–1873), Tommaso Lorenzone
📍 Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin, Italy

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary — Mar 19

In this painting, we turn to Saint Joseph, the quiet guardian of Jesus and Mary. He holds the Child with steady strength and gentle care, revealing a love that protects, receives, and gives without seeking attention.

Mary stands beside them in calm, luminous presence, while soft light gathers around their faces and gestures. From the Christ Child’s offering, through Joseph’s hands, grace flows outward, inviting us into this quiet exchange between heaven and earth.

Saint Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family, protect our families and guide us in faith. 🙏

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