The call to holiness: sharing God's glory
Large-scale prints of these pictures were exhibited in Notre Dame de France, the ‘French Church’, Leicester Square, London in Spring 2002. To see larger versions of each picture, click on the thumbnail picture within an exhibition.
 | MARY, THE IMMACULATE VIRGIN MOTHER The holiness and purity of the Virgin Mary shine out through the beauty of her face. Through her consent, she was made fruitful by God, for the sake of the whole world. “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Lk 1:42). OIL-M:740 |
 | THE FATHER SENDS HIS SON, THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT From all eternity the Son of God springs forth from the white-hot love of the Father’s heart, in the power of the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time he took flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and became man. “And the Word became flesh and lived among us…full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). OIL-S:3198 |
 | CHRIST HANGING ON THE CROSS Christ came to earth to sacrifice his life for us, because He loves us. The Sinless One bore the sins of the world, to fulfil the Father’s will. “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb 10:10). OIL-M:1376 |
 | CHRIST IS RISEN Death could not conquer God’s own Son. Christ rose from the grave to a new and glorious life. He has made a way to Heaven in which His faithful friends can follow. We share in His Resurrection through faith, through baptism, and by offering ourselves with Him in the Mass - as if we are jewels on His robe. “He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead…” (Col 1:18). OIL-S:0535 |
 | CHRIST AMONGST HIS PEOPLE Christ promised to be with us always. In our day, He walks amongst us, present in the Church through the Scriptures, through his ordained ministers, through the community of the faithful, and supremely through the Sacrament of His Body and Blood. “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). OIL-M: 1327 |
 | A HOLY PLACE Our Catholic churches have been consecrated as holy places for a ‘Holy People’. We long to be more worthy to approach the altar, and therefore we prepare ourselves by prayer, penance, and acts of love. “The Lord said (to Moses): Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Ex 3:5). OIL-M:1630 |
 | THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS The sacrifice of the cross is unique and unrepeatable. Through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, every generation of believers is made present to this one sacrifice, which is re-presented on the altar and offered to the Father. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor 11:26). OIL-M:1470 |
 | THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT With the eyes of faith we see the glory and holiness of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. We can kneel before the tabernacle and speak to Him with love and gratitude – consoled by His awesome sacramental presence. “He is the radiant light of God’s glory and the perfect copy of his nature, sustaining the universe by his powerful command” (Heb 1:3). OIL-S:4384 |
 | COMMUNION FOR THE SICK Holy Communion is brought to the sick and housebound. Christ is present, ‘whole and entire’, as the Eucharistic Minister holds up the Sacred Host. Our Risen Lord shares His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh” (Jn 6:51). OIL-M:1038B |
 | A PAUSE FOR PRAYER, A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN Whenever we pause to pray, we are like a sentry or watchman who glances through the battlements to the outside world. We see the brightness and beauty of Heaven, where the praises of God never end. “Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous ordinances” (Ps 119:164). OIL-M:76 |
 | DUTY IS LIKE A GOLDEN THREAD Our everyday duties are like a golden string left to us by the Lord. If we fulfil them faithfully and lovingly, we can be sure of doing God’s will, and we can move forward steadily towards the light of Heaven. “Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for men, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward” (Col 3:23-24). OIL-M:1445 |
 | THE PRESENT MOMENT IS THE ONLY WAY If we dwell upon the past, or worry about the future, it’s as if we box ourselves into a dark cupboard. Only if we live and love in the present moment can we walk a sure path with God – trusting Him to look after the past and the future. “Therefore do not worry,…your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things….So do not worry about tomorrow” (Mt 6:31-34). OIL-M:1282 |
 | CLINGING BY FAITH TO A THREAD OF HOPE When we suffer deeply in body or mind or soul, it’s as if we hang over a terrifying abyss. Even if our faith is weak, we can still cling to a thread of hope, confident of God’s help. “But you have held back my life from the pit of destruction….The Lord will save me” (Is 38:17, 20). OIL-M:472 |
 | THE FATHER’S TENDER TOUCH IN PRAYER God our Father is very close to us. The littlest prayer of ours is heard and rewarded with infinite love and tenderness, like a father stroking the neck of his precious child. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest….for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Mt 11:28-29). OIL-M:1396 |
 | CHRIST IS OUR BRIDGE TO HEAVEN Christ alone has bridged the gulf between earth and Heaven. By His Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension, he has made a sure path to the Godhead for all those who believe in Him. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). OIL-M:81 |
 | THE SOULS OF PURGATORY RISE TO GLORY Some who die in the love of Christ still need to be prepared and purified before they can enter Heaven. These ‘Holy Souls’ of Purgatory are assured of their salvation. They accept this purification willingly, so that they can rise joyfully to share in the bliss and glory of Heaven. “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor 3:18). OIL-M:1257 |
 | THE GLORY AND THE GATHERING Those who love Christ are united with Him and with each other – whether they live an earth, in purgatory, or in Heaven. Whenever we kneel in prayer we join the worship of this ‘Communion of Saints’. We long to share in the eternal fulfilment of Heaven, one in love with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven…” (Heb 12:22-23). OIL-M:42A |