Kayleen Asbo, Ph.D
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Writings

Happy Feastday, Mary Magdalene!

7/22/2014

4 Comments

 
Picture
   I was thrilled to learn this summer that the feastday of Mary Magdalene was more like a feastweek in France during the Middle Ages.  For five days, pilgrims would sing, dance, light candles, process up the mountain of La Baume and hold special parades and meals in celebration of my favorite saint.  In honor of that Provencal tradition of abundance , I will be offering up a collection of little amuse bouches for the next twenty-two days: tales of paintings, songs, legends and lore related to Mary Magdalene.

    This painting is one of my favorites, perhaps because it reminds me the most of my cherished daughter, Anissa. The gentleness of Mary's gaze and her  dreamy far off look bring a rush of serenity to my own heart when I behold it  ( try looking at it  by candlelight, and the effect will be heightened considerably!)

    It was painted by the great early Italian Renaissance master Fra Angelico as part of an altarpiece in Cortona, Italy in 1437. The great Dominican artist was a man of deep devotion: legend claims that he would fast for an entire day before beginning a work of this magnitude, and that he would place himself in an almost trance-like prayer before he began, chanting "Veni Sancte Spiritus" over and over as he applied the pigment to the wood, an act of supplication that he hoped would  infuse his works with the Holy Spirit.

May the work of all our lives and hands be so saturated with grace and beauty!

4 Comments
Auntie Anne
7/22/2014 09:40:29 am

May the peace of the Magdalene permeate the MidEast in a gentle healing mist.

Reply
Linda Gabriel link
7/23/2014 02:26:02 am

I love that you're doing this! Thank you Kayleen.

Reply
Nana
7/23/2014 06:52:01 am

Yes, I see an 'inner commonality" to Anissa as well! Photos of her at various stages growing up even campture it!

Reply
Nadya link
8/3/2014 03:19:56 pm

I love this post, Kayleen! Mary Magdalene is my favorite as well!
I came over to read your August post on the "whitening" of the pillar Madonna, after link was posted on Shiloh's Red Thread Café.... saw your Magdalene series, and head tho begin at the beginning!!
A side note of connection, my daughter named her girls Alyssa (at 14, this Magdalene looks MUCH like her, as well!!) her second daughter is Kayleen (!!) and my daughter, Mary.... when I saw your name, I knew I'd HAVE TO read your blog.... so glad too discover it!!
BLéSSïNgS!

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Contact Kayleen Asbo:mythicamuse@gmail.com
  • Home
  • Calendar
  • Music
    • Musical Mondays at the Museum
    • Rodin
    • Romantics >
      • Introduction to the Romantics
      • Franz Schubert
      • The Mendelssohns
      • Chopin
      • Clara and Robert Schumann
      • Liszt and Grieg
      • Brahms
  • Journeys
    • Provence: Villages and Vineyards
    • Dordogne
    • Scotland
  • Events
    • Spirituality >
      • 22 Days of Magdalene
      • Evensong
      • Labyrinth
      • Spiritual Direction
  • Classes
    • Music and Art of Pilgrimage Workshop
  • Scholarships