If there has been something that has intensified over the past year, it has been this gentle but firm pressure from above to represent particular saints. With St Agatha this pressure has been of unusual strength.

Way back at the end of April I had collected a series of reference images, which I left on my drawing desk day in and day out, but strangely couldn’t get much further with.

​The impasse only changed after a deeper dive into the story of her life, and of how she has been represented in Rome and in Sicily. In doing so she went from being an important saint mentioned in Eucharistic Prayer 1 of the Church to being formidable and unforgettable.

​A brief re-cap of her life would be useful. St Agatha was a native of Sicily, and a beautiful and rich young woman of a noble family who had given her life to Jesus as a consecrated virgin. To signify this consecration she wore a veil.

This reliquary is a master-work of silver and enamel. An online article about the relics of St Agatha can be viewed here.

If you are patient (depending on the device you are using), it is worth using the Google translate option if you (like me) are not fluent in Italian.

​On either side of the bust representing St Agatha are two angels. She is crowned, and in one hand holds a crucifix and in the other she holds an inscription. The whole thing is covered with votive offerings, pectoral crosses from bishops, episcopal rings, jewels etc. According to tradition, the crown upon her head was put there by King Richard the Lionheart.

Also this reliquary is the origin of the decision for blonde hair rather than the black or brunette hair found more widely in popular culture imagery of St Agatha.

Below is the inscription, and a translation of it, that  found all over the Cathedral of Catania where her reliquary–bust is kept, and that I have included underneath my depiction of St Agatha:

These are no idle words. Her veil, kept in a separate reliquary, has been successfully used several times to invoke God’s help when natural disasters threatened Sicily.
 
When invaders came to Sicily and rounded up the native inhabitants, the conqueror permitted them to have a last Mass at the shrine of St Agatha before being executed. When it came time for everyone to open up the hymn books, each and every page held the initials of a promise that St Agatha would always protect Sicily with her intercession. Needless to say, the inhabitants were saved, and the invaders exited in a hurry.
 
St Agatha, this holy martyr, has been given mighty intercessory power by God.
St Agatha, pray for us. Amen.​

#ChisholmWalkSydney

​Vincent Cavanagh
~21 May 2023

Our second Diocesan WYD Formation Session was held in Sydney last night (16 May 2023) and it came preloaded with post-WYD Event promotions, zero Pilgrimage Itinerary updates, a do-it-yourself Spicks and Specks round, and a side order of cringe through the conscription of ELO's Mr Blue Sky. The less said about that particular episode, the better.

Apart from finally getting to see what the Diocesan and Travel Provider merchandise (only visual mock-ups, nothing physical), the main highlight of the night was the reflection from Fr Stephen Wayoyi AJ (Apostles of Jesus Missionaries) on The Road to Emmaus, Gospel of Luke 24:13-35.

He told us that we are all, on this pilgrimage, invited to an important encounter with Jesus, just as the disciples encountered Him on their way to Emmaus. Their sorrow from the crucifixion was turned into joy by meeting Jesus on the way. So to are we called to bring our own daily sorrows, pains and discouragements with us on this pilgrimage; and to be open to God. To give him all that is weighing us down, that He may also turn it into joy. Joy in Him.

Remember: the word became flesh and dwelt among us. Be not afraid! We don't have to give up. God is with us. We are not here [in this hall, on this pilgrimage] by mistake. He has chosen us. He is asking us to journey with him. He wants to be a companion with us. To remind us always, that God is real.

Then Fr Stephen finished by asking us to say to the person next to us, "We are together again."
And he concluded the reflection by leading us together in song:

Something good is going to happen.

Vincent Cavanagh
~17 May 2023

Not all, but most of Fr Stephen Wayoyi's rendition of "We Are Together Again" from last night's 2nd World Youth Day Formation session (16 May 2023).

Vincent Cavanagh
~17 May 2023

Apart from the odd bit of raucousness and louder-than-strictly-necessary music, today's World Youth Day Formation Session #1 was reassuring in some places and most instructive for the rest.

Baring our bishop being the cause of a brief bout of embarrassment to myself with some overzealous joining-in, and encouragement on his part, with the recitation/practice of our Pilgrim Anthem. But that says more about me and my personal tastes than it does anything about senior clerical habits (pardon the pun).

I am left with much food for thought, and the odd form to fill out.


Vincent Cavanagh
~ 25 March 2023 

What I dearly hope not to be doing for the duration of my World Youth Day pilgrimage.
And, sadly, I don't think that I'll be alone in those sentiments.

So, I'm hoping to go to World Youth Day in Lisbon next year (2023) and at the present moment it is almost assuredly going to be a miracle of the Holy Spirit that my local diocese makes it happen/gets us there (long story not worth boring others about).

The pilgrimage route being taken by said diocese is effectively (for this artist at least) a "Grand Tour" through Italy, starting in Venice, then visiting places such as Bologna, Florence and Assisi to name a few, and staying in Rome for 3 nights, before flying to Portugal for the actual beginning of WYD week in Lisbon, at the start of August, 2023.