When I was growing up, we had a little calendar sitting in the kitchen window with a quote from Catherine Doherty for every day of the year. I remember my parents telling me to do the "duty of the moment". Her small snippets of wisdom blessed my childhood and continue to inspire and challenge me to this day. When I was asked to do a portrait of her, I felt no hesitation!
I will admit that when I was first contacted for this commission, it didn't immediately jog inspiration. I wasn't overly familiar with Saint Francis Xavier and he hadn't been on my radar as far as paintings I was planning on doing in the near future. But God had other ideas—within the space of a few weeks, his name came up unexpectedly several times, affirming that this was a painting I was supposed to do. His feast day passed, for one, and at the end of prayers one normal Rosary Group meeting, a friend asked for his intercession—not anyone else, just Francis, even though we almost never do the intercession of the saints. I can take a hint!
As I researched into his life a little more, I became captivated by his passion and enthusiasm. I borrowed the novel Set all Afire by Louis de Wohl and I officially fell in love with this incredible saint.
"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them."
{ Romans 12:6a }
I have a confession to make.
I don't enjoy drawing.
After all, the Divine Mercy image is not based off a photograph of a famous person or even just a "nice painting"—Jesus himself requested that this image be painted, so that the world may know of his mercy.