Salus Populi: The Icon's Restoration ~ And Ours

This icon is titled: Salus Populi Romani. Arriving in Rome in 590, it is kept in the Pauline Chapel of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. This is the icon which Pope Francis visits before and after each trip outside of Rome.

The icon's Latin title translates, The Health of the Roman People. But Rome, like Jerusalem and New York, is an international city - everyone from everywhere is there. So maybe we could adjust the title to something more universal, "Salus Populi - Health of the People." 

At the Pope's request, the Vatican Museum undertook a complete restoration of the icon in 2018. The before and after photographs above show us how badly that work was needed. The golden halos were restored, the faces and hands brightened, insect and wood-worm holes were repaired, the delicate colors uncovered, the icon's reverse side was varnished to strengthen the wood panel.

The "Salus Populi" Mother of God icon is unusually large: five feet high and three and a quarter feet wide. It is also filled with spiritual meaning: Mary's gaze, her handkerchief, her indigo maphorion (mantle), the way she holds the holy infant, his blessing hand, and closed gospel book. Perhaps over the next days we can ponder these things together - like going on a mini retreat!

But first: In 593, Pope Gregory prayed before the icon for the city of Rome which was suffering from the Black Plague. In 1571, Pope Pius V prayed for Rome during the naval Battle of Lepanto. In 1837 the icon was venerated during one of Italy's many Cholera Epidemics.

These historical events of healing and strength, and the icon's recent restoration, might help us further to focus our prayer for today. This Mother of God and her Child have assumed a stately pose. She is not down for the count before plague, cholera, naval battle or the polarizations which afflict us in our nation, or the many threats to populations and the planet itself today. 

Might we take a moment to offer a prayer to the restored and regal Mary we encounter so clearly on the right. Ask her and her Son to help us to stay standing and not to crumble before the menace and threats: May we remain alert, confident and strong.

Thursday in the Easter Octave ~ Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

THIS ANGEL IS FOUND on the facade of the Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, Reims in France which was completed in the year 1275. Over the seven centuries he has lost a wing, the end of his nose and the better part of his right arm. Still he smiles. Indeed, the angel is simply called, The Smiling Angel.

Alleluia is the joyful Easter word. It's been said that the word itself comes from the language the angels speak. Perhaps this smiling angel is thinking thoughts we're unable to think and which cause him a deep interior joy.

Maybe the angel is thinking about the Incarnation of God at Bethlehem and the Resurrection of Easter morning. Or the angel might be contemplating our eternal destiny and his knowledge of God's love for us in Christ, despite our capacity for hatred and self-destruction. 

We were given a window into the mind of God when Jesus told us God knows when a sparrow falls to the ground. Despite endless wars which bomb medieval cathedrals and schools and heap every kind of atrocity on people - still the angel smiles. The angel knows what God knows; Alleluia is the angel-word expressing that knowledge.

Alleluia also sounds like the sounds a baby makes. We call it babbling. And Jesus tells us to be like children, that is: allow yourself to be vulnerable, be an unquestioning and grateful receiver. But also, acknowledge before the great mystery of God's mother-like, self-sacrificing love for us, perhaps the best we can do is babble. The theology, the exquisite hymns and prayers - it's all just a holy stammering before the inexpressible things of God.