Traditional Catholic art gains a compelling new medium in gallery wrap canvas. Canvases featuring this modern art trend combine special printing technology and the technical skill of our Steubenville craftsmen to carefully wrap and tuck the canvas around the back of a 3/4" thick engineered wood mount. This method creates an impressive visual display with a faux 3D effect as the image continues around all visible sides of the mount. The canvas is free of visible staples or tacks and stands alone with no need for a frame. Each canvas hangs with a wire in the back and has an attractive satin-matte finish.
Our Joseph, Patron of the Church gallery wrapped canvas depicts the foster-father of Jesus, who is also our father. The original image is in a side altar in the Sacred Heart Church in Rome, painted by Giuseppe Rollini. Surrounded by Angels watching in great reverence and saying, "Go to Joseph" (Ite ad Joseph), St. Joseph is pictured holding the child Jesus with the humble handmaid Mary by his side. While Joseph holds a lily to symbolize his great purity in one hand, his other hand extends in blessing over a miniature church building which is presented to him by an Angel and represents his patronage over the Universal Church. As Jesus was entrusted to Joseph, through Mary, for protection, leadership, and provision, so, too, is the Church, "the Body of Christ," entrusted to St. Joseph's heavenly intercession and aid.
In 1870, Pope Pius IX officially declared St. Joseph the Patron of the Catholic Church. In the document Quemadmodum Deus, Pius IX entrusts the Church, which is under much travail, to Joseph: "On account of this sublime dignity which God conferred on His most faithful Servant, the Church has always most highly honoured and lauded the Most Blessed Joseph next after his spouse, the Virgin Mother of God, and has implored his intercession in all her great necessities." St. Teresa of Avila also taught people to "go to St. Joseph" in all of their needs, due to Joseph's profound union with the hearts of the King and Queen of Heaven and earth. And if you don't believe the great intercessory power he has been given? As St. Teresa would say, "make the trial" of entrusting yourself and your need to him, and you will see the great good he pours out!
May each heart be entrusted more greatly to St. Joseph while meditating upon this image.
A simple, neat, and beautiful way to adorn your home, office, or parish - or even to give as a gift to a friend, relative, or priest. Handcrafted at our shop in Steubenville, OH.
( GWC-1444 )
