HISTORY OF THE IMAGE OF OUR LADY OF ALL GRACES
(Click on the numbers in the image below to learn what the symbols in the portrait represent.)
On April 21, 1999 Alix Fils-Aime' was shown an impression of what the Image of Our Lady of All Graces should be. Alix immediately went to work setting down on paper what he had seen. The result of which was more or less specifications and an explanation of how Our Lady of All Graces should be portrayed. After the specifications had been finalized the AJA Ministry went about finding an artist who could render Our Lady on canvas.
Msgr. John Esseff, the spiritual director of the Ministry, sought the assistance of Sister M. Cor Immaculatum, IHM of Marywood University in Scranton, PA. Because Sister did not feel that she had sufficient time do the portrait, she undertook to do a sketch of Our Lady of All Graces instead. Nevertheless, this sketch was used by the AJA Ministry on the Prayer of the Heart card and the official website of Our Lady of All Graces (www.ourladyofallgraces.org). This remained the official image of the Ministry until the final portrait of Our Lady of All Graces was completed by Angelo M. Descul in April, 2004.
The Ministry naturally understood that Sister's sketch would not be the final portrait of Our Lady of All Graces, and another artist was sought to complete the image. In the summer of 1999 the Ministry located Colleen McCarthy who was willing to take on the assignment. Although the artist received the specifications for the portrait she nonetheless rendered her own interpretation of the image of Our Lady of All Graces. The day before the she was to present the picture to Alix and Deacon Sam, Our Lady gave Alix a message that the portrait was elegant, but not what was specified.
On the day of the unveiling it was clear that the image was nothing like that which was specified. Indeed, it was shockingly different from any rendering of Our Lady that we had ever seen. Nevertheless, within days of the initial viewing of the picture Our Lady gave Alix a beautiful interpretation of how this image was to be used. Although the image was done in disobedience to the specifications, Our Lady told Alix that it was acceptable, though not as the final rendering of the image of Our Lady of All Graces.
Our Lady explained that though the image was not what She wanted, the artist had nonetheless, created the image by using the finest cloths that the artist had accumulated from all over the world, as well as her most precious jewelry. Our Lady explained that the artist had surrendered what was very precious to her in order to complete the rendering.
In a meditation and prayer that Our Lady gave to Alix Our Lady explained that this rendering of the image represented each one of us, our society and to some extent the Church, which had become blinded by the false glitters of the world. These false glitters and fake riches are dangerously leading us to idolatry. Our Lady explained that the artist had surrendered all these to the service of the true glitter and true riches, which is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Our Lady said:
"The Holy Trinity of God is the genuine and true glitter who shines brighter than a thousand suns. In your humble way reflect this light, because when your heart is pure, you are clothed with God's glory more than the sun of your many mornings. You must shed this light of God that is in you into the world, and chase away the darkness that clings and lives in so many hearts.
Pray for the children of God who still do not really know they have a loving, compassionate and divine Father.
Pray that in accepting the Mother, Your Lady of All Graces, they will come to find the holy Son of God, and of Mary, who leads them ultimately to the Father.
Pray that the blessing of God continues to rest on you, your loved ones and upon the many others for whom you pray.
Be at peace My child...because the Lady of All Graces is the fulfillment of the Immaculate Conception in your world as She was in infinity with God...thank you for responding to this call from Heaven. Farewell, My child you are not alone."
Although this rendering would not be the final version, it could have been useful for retreats, or days of reflection. However, this rendering was never utilized because the artist refused to give the Ministry permission to use the picture.
In about September, 1999 Kit Wray, a freelance graphic artist who was sometimes based in the Wayne County area thought he might be called to paint the picture of Our Lady of All Graces. However, as it turned out Kit was returning to Art School to study for his Masters in Art. Nevertheless, Kit sought to begin the project and, after reviewing the specifications for the portrait, rendered a beautiful sketch of Our Lady. However, for the next three years Kit continued his studies, some of which were overseas. Upon graduation in 2003 Kit again wanted to take up the project. Unfortunately, he had college loans and other commitments which prevented him from doing so.
Finally, in the summer of 2003 Angelo Descul, from Berwick, PA volunteered to complete the portrait of Our Lady of All Graces. Angelo is an accomplished artist who has done many portraits and paintings of a religious nature. Angelo is also a faithful and active member of his church in Berwick.
After having reviewed the specifications Angelo began the project by praying for guidance from above. Needless to say the AJA Ministry was praying for him as well. A major concern as well, was that Our Lady had given a message to Alix in May, 2003 that She wanted Her feast day as Our Lady of All Graces to be celebrated on May 14, 2004. This meant that Angelo had little less that a year to complete the project.
Because of his great integrity and devotion to Our Lady, Angelo was naturally concerned that the portrait accurately reflect Our Lady's specification for the picture. Angelo began by sketching portions of the picture separately and then submitting them to the Ministry for their review. Although this process was time consuming, it actually saved time in the in the long run .
Finally in early April, 2004 the final unveiling occurred at Angelo's studio in Berwick. After comparing it with the specifications given by Our Lady, it was decided that only minor touch ups were necessary. Shortly thereafter Angelo had the portrait professionally framed and photographed. The photographs made it possible to create smaller versions of the original, which is six feet high and almost four feet across.
On May 13, 2004 the portrait, that was more than five years in the making, was transported to Saint Gabriel Retreat Center, Clarkes Green, PA. There the first Mass in honor of Our Lady of All Graces was held on May 14, 2004. Con-celebrating this first Mass was Father Coen, Father Cerwanka, Father Boylan and Father Allam, together with many members of the AJA Ministry, and Our Lady of All Graces Prayer Groups.
On May 15, 2004 the Portrait of Our Lady of All Graces was taken to the Chancery of the Diocese of Scranton, PA, where it was blessed by Bishop Joseph Martino, the Bishop of Scranton, PA. Our Lady has said that a permanent home is being prepared for Her portrait.
It is the goal of the AJA Ministry for every home in the world to have a copy of this image of Our Lady of All Graces, together with the Prayer of the Heart. It is also the goal of the Ministry that the original portrait will travel throughout the world to bring to all people the Graces which God, in His infinite Mercy, has given to His Mother, Our Lady of All Graces.