World Youth Day 2013 logo unveiled

The official logo for World Youth Day 2013 was unveiled last week:

via Catholic News Service:

Excitement surrounded the unveiling of the 2013 World Youth Day logo, which took place at an event hosted by Rio de Janeiro's Archbishop Orani João Tempesta.

A 25-year-old Brazilian man, Gustavo Huguenin, submitted the winning logo design in a contest held by organizers of the international Catholic gathering, which will take place July 23-28, 2013.

So what do you think of the logo? I'm not a fan of logo contest's myself but this seems to be in keeping with the style of past WYD logos.

My own contribution to the event is this retro-style travel poster

Rio-WYD 2013 ©Lawrence Klimecki

Which can be ordered through Zazzle

Enjoy!

Guardian of the Church, Protector of Priests, Terror of Demons

Guardian of the Church, Protector of Priests, Terror of Demons © Lawrence Klimecki

A sketch for a new commission, Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Church, Protector of Priests, Terror of Demons.

The First Native American Saint

Lily of the Mohawks © Lawrence Klimecki

The Church does not create saints, rather it follows a process that allows us to recognize certain individuals as holy and enjoying the Beatific Vision of God. "Blessed" is a step in that process that culminates in canonization.

The recent announcement that Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha will be formally "canonized," was understandably met with great joy in the Native American community. Click here to read the story.

Prints of this work are available here

Saint Sebastian

Saint Sebastian, private commission ©Lawrence Klimecki

Seeing the plight of the Christians persecuted under the emperor, Sebastian joined the Roman army that he might better offer the martyrs comfort and encouragement without raising suspicions. When the brothers, Marcus and Marcellianus, deacons of the Church, were arrested, Sebastian urged them to stay strong and hold fast to the faith. But spies and informers were everywhere, even in the emperor's Praetorian guard, and Sebastian was found out and accused of being a Christian.

Brought before Diocletian, Sebastian refused to renounce the faith and the emperorer ordered him delivered to the Mauritanian archers to be executed. Tied to a tree and shot through with arrows, he was left for dead but God preserved him and he was found by Irene who tended his wounds and nursed him back to health.

Rather than flee with his life Sebastian went to a place he knew that the emperor would pass close by. He confronted Diocletian and condemend his cruelty to Christians. Angered,  the emperor ordered the sentence of death to be carried out immediately and the holy man was beaten to death with clubs.

Sebastian is remembered for his great faith and courage in the face of persecution. He is loved by many and is the patron of the Swiss Guards that protect the Holy Father.

The Day of Salvation

© Lawrence Klimecki