When the pandemic was announced in early March 2020 we were ordered to Lock-down in Quarantine.
As a professional woodcarver, and not knowing how long we would be quarantined, I realized I need to do a woodcarving—carving has always acted as a grounding effect for me.
And I knew it would need to be a carving that would speak to the Pandemic, but also that which I believe brought on the Pandemic—an imbalance in the mode in which we live with Nature, the destruction of the cosmos! Impending climate collapse!
The Question is, are we—the Human Species—continuing to cause this imbalance and if so, can we correct it?
This Question is the essence of the message of the carving.
We see our modern-day Adam pondering this question shown more as his temptation—recalling the original story of the Garden of Eden.
To answer this the parable of The Garden of Eden and the forbidden fruit speak to us here and now as we find ourselves in A Garden Moment of Time.
Eve and Adam
“Our Garden Moment”
Time was we thought right from wrong, was caused by what Adam did for lack of judgment less than strong.
But since we left the Garden we’ve wandered and we’ve strayed, off the straight and narrow, off the path we’ve paved.
Seems some still hold the feeling that it should not be them to shame— But that “surely it was the Other.” So they invented Blame.
So they reject the garden story along with forbidden trees. They see no problem in doing anything they “Damn Well Please!”
Now our Modern Adam has quite a powerful Thrust. Cause with nods from his Investors it is “In Him they Trust”
So it’s come and so it goes so many times around. It’s made us all quite dizzy and scrambled Sacred ground.
So now We stand-in with Eve and Adam, but this time we’re ALL around, looking up once again. But knowing the Forbidden Fruit still is mostly underground.
But now the truth stands out for us, for all of us to see, where once were lies, it’s clear, spoken in whispers, OH so low, whispered in one man’s ear.
So with Eve we tremble, as our new Adam eyes what may be reason, for the last time that we Fall. And again mistakes in thinking of no consequence if he listens to The Snake.
Our Eve cries out “Listen to us Mothers and Will-be Mothers, for little time is left. Hear our voice, it is our choice to birth and bear our kin. Who if worthy of Us, will do for those who follow, what WE now do for Them.”
For it was before, we little thought beyond our children and theirs. Now we must “In God we Trust” be the bridge for all our children’s future tomorrows…
Tallado en madera de cedro tropical. Encargado por el Padre Mark O’Donnell para la Iglesia Católica Saint Joseph’s en New London Connecticut.
Santa Dimpna
¿Cómo surgió esta estatua?
Extractos de un mensaje a sus feligreses del Padre Mark O’Donnell,
Pastor de la Iglesia Católica St. Joseph
Santa Dimpna, una santa para las edades.
Cuando llegué por primera vez a la parroquia de St. Joseph hace casi 10 años, tres feligreses se me acercaron y me preguntaron: “Padre, ¿quién es el santo patrón de los que padecen enfermedades nerviosas, mentales y emocionales?” Sin detenerme dije, “Saint Dymphna”. Después de que les conté su historia, me dijeron que les encantaría tener una estatua de ella en el santuario porque todas las familias se han visto afectadas por enfermedades mentales y emocionales. Dije que trataría de conseguir una estatua de ella para que pudiéramos orar por su intercesión y por la curación de todos los que sufren.
Bueno, han pasado casi 10 años y la necesidad de la ayuda de Santa. Dimpna no podría ser más urgente en el mundo en el que vivimos. La pandemia de Covid 19 ha afectado mental y emocionalmente la salud y el bienestar de todos. Trágicamente, ha cobrado demasiadas vidas a través de la enfermedad en sí, y las vidas de los adictos a las drogas y de algunos que se suicidaron desesperadamente porque se sentían aislados y deshumanizados.
Cuando Neil Hartung, un maravilloso feligrés, murió inesperadamente en la Fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción el 8 de diciembre de 2019, conocí a su hermano Vonn Hartung, un artista de renombre en Puerto Rico. Neil siempre hablaba con cariño de su hermano y con amor fraterno. Hablé con Vonn y le propuse comenzar a investigar un poco sobre la historia de este gran santo. Quedó cautivado con su valiente vida y martirio. En cada detalle, investigó su vida y estuvimos de acuerdo en que realmente se necesitaba una estatua aquí en New London para que todos oraran por su intercesión. Comencé a compartir esta noticia con las personas que se me acercaron originalmente hace 10 años y estaban completamente de acuerdo. Poco a poco se ha corrido la voz de que se estaba creando Santa Dimpna para la Iglesia St. Joseph en la comunidad católica St. Brendan the Navigator.
Encargué a Vonn Hartung que diera vida artísticamente a este gran santo
Comenzó con cedro tropical y pegó la madera en un bloque sólido. Poco a poco ha estado tallando y formando el bloque de madera en una estatua de cinco pies de Santa Dymphna … damos gracias a Dios por este santo maravilloso de todas las edades, especialmente hoy. Esperamos que Santa Dimpna llegue el primero de septiembre de este año…Fr. Mark
“Según la tradición católica y ortodoxa, Dimpna nació en Irlanda en el siglo VII. Su padre Damon era un rey pagano y su madre una devota cristiana.
Cuando Dimpna tenía 14 años, se consagró a Cristo y tomó un voto de castidad. Poco después, su madre murió. Damon había amado profundamente a su esposa y, a raíz de su muerte, su salud mental se deterioró drásticamente. Eventualmente los consejeros del rey lo presionaron para volver a casarse. Damon estuvo de acuerdo, pero solo con la condición de que su novia fuera tan hermosa como su difunta esposa. Después de buscar infructuosamente, Damon comenzó a desear a su hija debido a su gran parecido con su madre.
Cuando Dimpna se enteró de las intenciones de su padre, juró mantener sus votos y huyó de su corte junto con su confesor, el padre Gerebernus, dos servidores de confianza y el bufón del rey. Juntos navegaron hacia el continente, y finalmente aterrizaron en la actual Bélgica, donde se refugiaron en la ciudad de Geel.
¡Su padre la localiza!
Una tradición establece que una vez instalados en Geel, Dimpna construyó un hospicio para los pobres y enfermos de la región. Sin embargo, fue a través de su riqueza que su padre eventualmente averiguaría su paradero, ya que algunas de las monedas utilizadas le permitieron a su padre rastrearlas hasta Bélgica. Damon envió a sus agentes a perseguir a su hija y sus compañeros. Cuando se descubrió su escondite, viajó a Geel para recuperar a su hija. Ordenó a sus soldados que mataran a Gerebernus y trató de obligar a Dymphna a regresar con él a Irlanda, pero ella se resistió. Furioso, Damon sacó su espada y le cortó la cabeza a su hija. Se dice que tenía 15 años cuando murió.
Después de que Dimpna y Gerebernus fueran asesinados, los residentes de Geel los enterraron en una cueva cercana. Años más tarde, decidieron trasladar los restos a un lugar más adecuado. Algunos de sus restos se encuentran en el santuario de Dimpna en Massillon, Ohio, Estados Unidos.
Así comenzó una tradición para el cuidado continuo de las personas con afecciones psiquiátricas que ha perdurado durante más de 500 años y que todavía se estudia y se admira en la actualidad. Los pacientes eran, y siguen siendo, tomados en las casas de los habitantes de Geel. Nunca se les llama pacientes, se les llama internos y se les trata como miembros ordinarios y útiles de la ciudad. Se les trata como miembros de la familia de acogida. Trabajan, con mayor frecuencia en trabajos domésticos, y, a cambio, se convierten en parte de la comunidad. Algunos permanecen unos meses, algunas décadas, otros durante toda su vida. En su apogeo en la década de 1930, más de 4.000 ‘internos’ se alojaron con los habitantes de la ciudad “.
Santa Dimpna es la santa patrona de las enfermedades mentales y la ansiedad.
Su festividad es el 15 de mayo
Oración a Santa Dimpna
Padre, nuestro Dios,que bondadosamente elegiste a Santa Dimpna como Patrona de aquellos afligidos con problemas mentales y nerviosos.
Ella es nuestra inspiración y un símbolo de caridad a los muchos que ruegan por su intercesión.
Que a través de las oraciones de esta joven pura y mártir, puedan nuestros sufrimientos encontrar alivio y consuelo, especialmente por los que te pedimos por ________
Te suplicamos Padre, escuches las plegarias a nuestro nombre de Santa Dimpna.
Dale a aquellos por los que rezamos, paciencia en el sufrimiento y resignación con Tu voluntad.
Llenalos con esperanza y dales el alivio y sanación que ellos tanto desean.
in which I describe the life of the saint and the process of carving the statue
Saint Dymphna
How did this statue of Saint Dymphna come about?
Excerpts of a Message to his parishioners from Father Mark O’Donnell,
Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church
St. Dymphna, a saint for the ages
When I first arrived at St. Joseph Parish almost 10 years ago, I was approached by three parishioners who asked me, “Father who is the patron saint for those afflicted with nervous, mental and emotional illness?” Without pausing I said, “Saint Dymphna”. After I told them about her story, they told me that they would love to have a statue of her in the sanctuary because every family has been affected by mental and emotional illness. I said I would try to get a statue of her so that we could pray for her intercession and for healing for all those who suffer.
Well, it is almost 10 years later and the need for St. Dymphna’s help could not be more urgent in the world we live in. The pandemic with Covid 19 has mentally and emotionally taken a toll on everyone’s health and well-being. It has tragically taken too many lives through the disease itself, and the lives of those who are addicted to drugs and through some who desperately turned to suicide because they felt isolated and dehumanized.
When Neil Hartung, a wonderful parishioner, died unexpectedly on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 2019, I met his brother Vonn Hartung who is a renowned artist in Puerto Rico. Neil always spoke fondly of his brother and with fraternal love. I spoke with Vonn and proposed he begin to do some research on the history of this great saint. He became enthralled with her courageous life and martyrdom. In every detail he researched her life and we agreed that a statue was indeed needed here in New London for everyone to pray for her intercession. I started to share this news with the people that originally approached me 10 years ago and they were completely on board. Slowly the word has spread that St. Dymphna was being created for St. Joseph Church in the St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Community.
I commissioned Vonn Hartung to artistically bring this great saint to life.
He started with tropical cedar and glued the wood together in a solid block. Slowly he has been carving and forming the block of wood into a five-foot statue of St. Dymphna… we give thanks to God for this wonderful saint for the ages, especially for today. We hope St. Dymphna will arrive by September first of this year…Fr. Mark
“According to Catholic and Orthodox tradition, Dymphna was born in Ireland in the 7th century. Her father Damon was a petty king, her mother a devout Christian.
When Dymphna was 14 years old, she consecrated herself to Christ and took a vow of chastity. Shortly thereafter, her mother died. Damon had loved his wife deeply, and in the aftermath of her death his mental health sharply deteriorated. Eventually the king’s counsellors pressed him to remarry. Damon agreed, but only on the condition that his bride would be as beautiful as his deceased wife. After searching fruitlessly, Damon began to desire his daughter because of her strong resemblance to her mother.
When Dymphna learned of her father’s intentions, she swore to uphold her vows and fled his court along with her confessor Father Gerebernus, two trusted servants, and the king’s fool. Together they sailed towards the continent, eventually landing in what is present-day Belgium, where they took refuge in the town of Geel.
Her father tracks her down!
One tradition states that once settled in Geel, Dymphna built a hospice for the poor and sick of the region. However, it was through her wealth that her father would eventually ascertain her whereabouts, as some of the coins used enabled her father to trace them to Belgium. Damon sent his agents to pursue his daughter and her companions. Upon discovery of their hiding place, he travelled to Geel to recover his daughter. He ordered his soldiers to kill Gerebernus and tried to force Dymphna to return with him to Ireland, but she resisted. Furious, Damon drew his sword and struck off his daughter’s head. She was said to have been 15 years old when she died.
After Dymphna and Gerebernus died, the residents of Geel buried them in a nearby cave. Years later, they decided to move the remains to a more suitable location. Some of her remains are at the shrine to Dymphna in Massillon, Ohio, United States.
The most outstanding miracle is one that began in the thirteenth century and continues to this day.
In 1349 a church honoring St. Dymphna was built in Geel. By 1480, so many pilgrims were coming from all over Europe, seeking treatment for psychiatric disorders that the church housing for them was expanded. Soon the sanctuary for those considered “mad” was again full to overflowing, and the townspeople began taking them into their own homes.
Thus began a tradition for the ongoing care of those with psychiatric conditions that has endured for over 500 years. Indeed it is still studied and admired today. Moreover, Geel’s inhabitants have continued to take patients into their homes. In fact, they call them boarders, never patients and treat them as ordinary and useful members of the town. Correspondingly, the hosts treat them as members of their families. They work, most often in menial labor, and in return, they become part of the community. Some stay a few months, some for decades, and others for their entire lives. Eventually, at its peak in the 1930s, the town’s inhabitants housed over 4,000 ‘boarders’.”
St. Dymphna is the patron saint of mental illness and anxiety.
Her Feast Day is May 15
Prayer to Saint Dymphna
Lord, our God, you graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness
of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders.
She is thus an inspiration and a symbol of charity to the thousands who ask her intercession. Please grant, Lord, through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr,
relief and consolation to all suffering such trials, and especially those for whom we pray. (Mention those for whom you wish to pray).
We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf.
Grant all those for whom we pray patience in their sufferings
and resignation to your divine will.
Please fill them with hope and grant them the relief and cure they so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord who suffered agony in the garden. Amen
Ora et labora (Pray and work)—refers to the Catholic monastic practice of working and praying. St. Benedict viewed prayer and work as partners, and believed in combining contemplation with action.
St. Benedict is shown here writing; this is significant for two major reasons. One, because he was a scholar and he was concerned about the sharing of knowledge with the public so that they could advance and have a better life, and especially be closer to Christ and His saints.
And two, he is writing in cursive Latin, that is, he is popularizing Latin and adapting its stilted lettering style into a cursive style more easily written. This style and his use of the Vernacular became the beginnings of the Italian language we know today.
In the foreground we see a black bird, representing the Raven which saved his life when his bread was poisoned by jealous monks envious of his many superior traits and saintly concerns for those under him, which made him such a good leader.
In the background we see Monte Cassino, the monastery he founded some 40 miles south of Rome, which did so much to nourish Christian virtues and enrich European civilization. At its height, the Benedictine order could boast 37,000 monasteries.
Ora et labora (reza y trabaja)—expresa la vocación y la vida monástica benedictina de alabanza a Dios junto con el trabajo manual diario. San Benito vio la oración y el trabajo como socios, y creía en combinar la contemplación con la acción.
San Benito se muestra aquí escribiendo; esto es importante por dos razones principales. Uno, porque era un erudito y estaba preocupado por compartir conocimientos con el público para que pudieran avanzar y tener una vida mejor, y sobre todo estar más cerca de Cristo y sus santos.
Y dos, está escribiendo en latín cursivo, es decir, está popularizando el latín y adaptando su estilo de letras estilizadas en un estilo cursivo más fácil de escribir. Este estilo y su uso de la lengua vernácula se convirtieron en los inicios de la lengua italiana que conocemos hoy.
En primer plano vemos un pájaro negro, que representa al Cuervo que le salvó la vida cuando su pan fue envenenado por monjes celosos envidiosos de sus muchos rasgos superiores y preocupaciones santas por los que estaban debajo de él, lo que lo convirtió en un buen líder.
Al fondo vemos Monte Cassino, el monasterio que fundó a unas 40 millas al sur de Roma, que tanto contribuyó a nutrir las virtudes cristianas y enriquecer la civilización europea. En su apogeo, la orden benedictina podía presumir de 37.000 monasterios.
I carved this icon in American Linden wood. It is an interpretation influenced by the tradition of Eastern Orthodox Iconography. Saint Michael the Archangel stares down the evil one who he has pinned with his staff. I carved in the upper corners the two fallen angels as they shrink away in shame from His divine power.
“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.”
Esculpí este icono en madera de tilo americano. Es una interpretación influenciada por la tradición de la iconografía ortodoxa oriental. San Miguel Arcángel mira fijamente al maligno que ha inmovilizado con su bastón. Esculpí en las esquinas superiores a los dos ángeles caídos mientras se alejaban avergonzados de Su poder divino.
San Miguel Arcángel, defiéndenos en la lucha. Sé nuestro amparo contra la perversidad y acechanzas del demonio. Que Dios manifieste sobre él su poder, es nuestra humilde súplica. Y tú, oh Príncipe de la Milicia Celestial, con el poder que Dios te ha conferido, arroja al infierno a Satanás, y a los demás espíritus malignos que vagan por el mundo para la perdición de las almas. Amén.
“It does not record even one word spoken by Joseph, the carpenter of Nazareth. And yet, even without words, he shows the depth of his faith, his greatness.” (Pope Saint John Paul II)
St. Joseph, man of deep Faith. He received his revelations through DREAMS. Hence, I carved him with his eyes closed; the revelation that Mary was to be the mother God (Mt 1:20), his dream that they should flee to Egypt to escape the murderous wrath and jealousy of King Herod (Mt 2:13)
Shown here, in celebration of St. Joseph’s Feast Day, is my high relief wood sculpture “Holy Family” (42 x 44-inches)
The setting is the Temple (Luke 2:41-50)
The Holy Family
Joseph, the central figure, his eyes closed, deep in prayer, is the picture of humility through blind faith.
Depicted here is a recollection of Joseph’s prophetic dream (Mt 2:13) when the angel instructed him to flee to safety in Egypt, from the murderous jealousy of King Herod.
Depicted here is a scene in the family’s carpenter shop at Nazareth, with Jesus as an adult with Joseph and Mary, the eve before leaving to begin his ministry (extra biblical)
Today, San Jose Church in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is reopening after a massive reconstruction that took nearly twenty years to complete. Built between 1532 and 1735, it is a restoration of the second oldest surviving Spanish church in the Americas. Providentially this coincides with the celebration of The Year of St. Joseph, proclaimed by Pope Francis.
The Mass will be celebrated by Mons. Roberto Gonzalez Nieves.
The carving THORNS OF CHRIST witnesses to the suffering of sin, injustice, and violence. Christ Lived, Healed, and taught Love through Justice for the poor and the vulnerable.
Although He was the embodiment of Love, He did express anger against sin. Indeed, He spoke without fear against evil and thus suffered death because of it.
In essence, the “Thorns of Christ” speaks of how He suffers still, seeing Injustice and violence against the innocent, the poor and the vulnerable in the world. They are persecuted and overlooked by lack of leadership, divided by deception, ignorance, and long-suffering racism.
“Thorns of Christ” was carved during 40 days of Lent in 1984, the time of the Civil war in El Salvador.
So troubled by the indiscriminate killing, rape and violence against thousands of innocent civilians caught in the conflict that, consequently, as Prayer, l carved this work.
As you might understand it was not a popular carving.
People stopped, looked, and turned away in dismay.
Art should strive to be truthful
Some feel that Art should only be beautiful.
Truth is not always beautiful and true Art should always strive to be Truthful.
During this time of Lent, I am reminded of the pain and suffering that the poor, the persecuted, the abused suffer. They are Christ in the desert. They are Christ on the cross.
I strive to live and work for a better world, a world of Justice and Compassion, of Unity and Peace.
I feel Our Lord still suffers the pain of the Nails, the pain of the Thorns that pierced His Precious body. For as long as there are innocent victims in pain, does He not still suffer?
“Lord make me an instrument of your peace.” St. Francis of Assisi
El tallado ESPINAS DE CRISTO atestigua al sufrimiento del pecado, la injusticia y la violencia. Cristo vivió, sanó y enseñó Amor a través de la justicia para los pobres y los vulnerables.
Aunque Él era la encarnación del Amor, expresó enojo contra el pecado. Habló sin miedo contra el mal, y sufrió la muerte a causa de ella.
Esta obra habla de cómo Él sufre todavía, viendo la injusticia y la violencia contra los inocentes, los pobres y los vulnerables en el mundo. Están perseguidos y pasados por alto por la falta de liderazgo, divididos por el engaño, la ignorancia y el racismo sufrido.
Tallado durante los 40 días de Cuaresma en 1984, la época de la guerra civil en El Salvador. Tan preocupado por la matanza indiscriminada, la violación y la violencia contra miles de civiles inocentes atrapados en el conflicto que, como oración, esculpí esta obra.
Como comprenderá, no se trataba de una talla popular. La gente se detuvo, miró y se volvió consternada.
El arte debe esforzarse por ser veraz
Algunos sienten que el arte sólo debe ser bello. La verdad no siempre es hermosa y el arte verdadero siempre debe esforzarse por ser veraz.
Durante este tiempo de Cuaresma, recuerdo el dolor y el sufrimiento que sufren los pobres, los perseguidos, los abusados. Son Cristo en el desiert. Son Cristo en la cruz.
Me esfuerzo para vivir y trabajar por un mundo mejor, un mundo de justicia y compasión, de la Unidad y la Paz.
Siento que Nuestro Señor todavía sufre el dolor de los Clavos, el dolor de las Espinas que traspasaron Su Precioso cuerpo. Porque mientras haya víctimas inocentes en el dolor, ¿no sufre todavía?
“Señor, hazme un instrumento de tu paz.” San Francisco de Asís
14 “vitrales” Estaciones de la Resurrección Via Lucis
