Photo of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Courtesy of Chiara Luz Atoyebi, Washington. DC 2025.
I have seen a few signs and wonders at The Basilica in DC, and it always happens with exactly one witness. This past Sunday when we were leaving mass I looked up and saw what appeared to be Our Lady smiling. If you are familiar with this image and iconography it is more somber. But on this day I tapped my son and said, “is she smiling?” he said, “yeah that’s weird.”
I immediately snapped a picture and here it is.
For me it proves the spiritual connection of art in the way that Kandinsky wrote about. Additionallyalso believe that this is a smile of support and pride.
Let me know if you see the smile and what you think. I think it is a good omen for the new year.
“An Invocation for Balance, Courage, and Love in Leadership”
We are living in a provisional stage. The ground is shifting, the veil is lifted, and the call is clear: leadership must be reimagined—not as domination, but as stewardship. The cross we carry is not defeat. It is the crown of responsibility, humility, and love.
This is my invocation, my prayer, my offering: May those in power bow to the work of right balance and visionary stewardship. May they be endowed with courage when action is required, and with humility when it is time to listen, support, or stand down. May leaders who have sworn the oath of right action become teachers of a new standard of life. May those who struggle to see, see clearly, and grant themselves grace for the deceptions they once believed. May forgiveness take root in every heart. May men and women alike recognize one another as brethren in the fight for equanimity and humanity’s rightful standing. May false notions of correctness collapse before truth. May abundance be revealed as the true inheritance of all. Let love be the standard bearer, not fear, not scarcity, not pride. For God’s spirit is love, not endless pain. And when suffering is endured in God, it is not suffering at all, but glory— a strengthening, a calling fulfilled. The cross is your crown. The burden is the blessing. The trial is the testimony. The stewardship is the light.
I created this mixed media piece I call “The Heart of Mary” a few days ago. It sits in my front room on the windowsill. This piece is one of a few Marian and sacred artworks that will be available in my shop.
Additionally, I have a personal website that is dedicated to my passion for Sacred Art. I truly cherish it, and as an artist and enthusiast for Bible stories and history, I had to grow out of my timidness about sharing it.
In 2017, I had a strong spiritual encounter with a statue of St. Therese of Liseux. A devout friend of mine from our hospital days saw her crying with me while we gave her flowers during a Basilica visit. In my naivete, I thought it was a bad thing. We were the only ones who saw it, and for some reason, no one came near us, and we were in a high trafficked area. Obviously, it was good. My daughter lived thirty more days beyond her hospice expectancy after that sighting. Since then, I have seen miracles I am sure most people may not see. However, I hope you do.
I first began making Marian Art in 2022. There are lots of drawings and some paintings. My most notable one is when Our Lady made her presence known in my largest painting as Our Lady of Zeitun. It was beautiful. I called it “Good Morning.” It will be in my next book.
I have also written about my statute de San Martin which was blessed by Pope Francis in Peru. I treasure it. It’s now in my home studio. In the picture is my personal memorial to him for the year. He had a meaningful legacy and a gentle heart. This is my way of keeping his memory alive in our home for the year. I think the picture of Mary just elevates the serenity of the space even more.
When I walk by it, I feel a presence that calls me to step lighter and speak softer.
Today, I am sharing one pillar of what has gotten me through times of anger, sadness, isolation, and even childishness–Mary. But it’s an even greater reminder that miracles still happen.
