Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
February 28, 2001
Lenten poster to feature painting by local artist
`Heart Light' depicts a heart on fire with love, conversion
By Justin Bell
The image depicts two figures, one facing the viewer with an illuminated heart and the other facing a source of light that is behind both people. Painted by local artist Mary Morrison, "Heart Light" is the featured image on a poster commissioned for Lent by the archdiocese's Office of Liturgy.
The poster, which will be displayed in parishes and schools throughout the archdiocese, has the words "Healing our Hearts" — which is the name of the archdiocesan Lenten program to promote reconciliation — and the Scripture verse, "Love is not resentful," which is the Holy Father's Lenten theme.
Madeleine Dodge, from the Office of Liturgy, described the poster as "an invitation for the faithful to continue the process of conversion, by a very intentional participation in the Sacrament of Penance and reconciliation."
Each year, the Office of Liturgy selects an icon to support the Lenten theme of the Holy Father. This year, the office offered a competition to local artists to submit works. But before organizers could announce the competition, they needed to know the content of Pope John Paul II's Lenten message. Organizers faced a time crunch in getting a poster that coincided with the Holy Father's themes, as the pope's address was delivered later than usual.
The Holy Father's Lenten message calls for deep spiritual growth and healing in the world community, which comes through forgiveness. This year, the theme of the Pope's message "Love is not resentful" is a Scripture verse from Corinthians that challenges the faithful to forgive.
This forgiveness is two fold — seeking and accepting forgiveness of one's transgressions and forgiveness of others, the Holy Father said. For Catholics, the former is received in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
"Heart Light" can easily be interpreted as illustrating the sacrament. The figure whose heart is illuminated has just come from the light, while the other figure, who has their back toward the viewer, is facing the light. The light could represent Christ in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. After participating in the sacrament, one's heart is renewed and visible to others.
What gives the work a providential twist is how it ended up making its way into being selected for this year's poster. Although other artists who gave submissions worked against a serious two-week time constraint, Morrison did not. Her work had been completed before the invitation was issued.
Originally titled "Companions," "Heart Light" was created in 1992 while Morrison was living in Chicago. The work originally showed two figures waiting at a chilly Chicago bus stop — an image inspired by a photograph the artist took. The work lacked the illuminated heart image. About a year ago, inspired by events in her own life, she decided to add the heart image.
Morrison describes "Heart Light" as "The idea of God's presence — accepting it, trusting it and acknowledging it."
When looking at the original piece, one can make out the right side of the white light as forming a cross. Morrison said that wasn't intended when she began the picture and she even attempted to paint over the shape, but later decided to bring it back.
Another artist suggested Morrison enter the work, into the archdiocese's competition. Morrison agreed and the work was eventually chosen by a three-member panel of judges.
Once "Heart Light" was chosen, graphic artist Vickie Stevinson had the job of converting the work, painted with acrylic paint and pastels, to a poster. Stevinson, who works at Uptown Open Studios in downtown Denver with Morrison, was careful to be sensitive to the original piece while making sure the overall poster was appealing.
The original "Heart Light" will be displayed at the John Paul II Center, 1300 S. Steele St., during Lent.
For the complete text of the Holy Father's Lenten message see last week's edition of the Denver Catholic Register or visit the website at www.archden.org/dcr.
