This rustic wood plaque features For God So Loved the World.

One of our most beloved images, the 18th century original escaped destruction and was rescued by an American priest. Order this image of mercy for yourself or as a gift today!

The original painting was in a centuries-old church slated for demolition. A priest from Michigan saved it from certain ruin and brought it to the United States, where it became a family heirloom for a young Catholic doctor and his family. As far as we can tell, the original was painted in the 1700's by an unknown artist. The Latin inscription at the bottom reads, "Sic Deus Dilexit Mundum," and is translated, "For God So Loved the World" (John 3:16). This beautiful image, which bears a strong resemblance to the Shroud of Turin, has been an inspiration for thousands since we began publishing it in 1997.

Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR, Catholic author and speaker, has used it extensively in his books and meditations. He tells the story of how angry, torn, and sad he was on the afternoon of 9/11, when many of his friends and associates were killed in the World Trade Center attacks. This image of the Sacred Heart, which hung in the monastery chapel, ministered deeply to him a message of forgiveness and mercy. Soon after, he used the image as the basis of a series of meditations in his book The Cross at Ground Zero.

Our Rustic Wood Plaques are designed, printed and stained to give a rustic, weathered look. They are constructed from a wood composite in our shop in Steubenville, Ohio. All sizes are printed on a single board, however larger sizes are printed to look like slats.

( RWP-150 )