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.

Pope Saint Clement I - November 23

Saint Clement © Lawrence Klimecki"Charity unites us to God. There is nothing mean in charity, nothing arrogant. Charity knows no schism, does not rebel, does all things in concord. In charity all the elect of God have been made perfect." - Pope Saint Clement I

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Feast of Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael, archangels

all images © Lawrence Klimecki

September 29th is the feast day of the Archangels, Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Raphael. From Peter Kreeft's book Angels and Demons via Happy Catholic, here is a short primer on what we know about angels.

1. They really exist. Not just in our minds, or our myths, or our symbols, or our culture. They are as real as your dog, or your sister, or electricity.
2. They're present, right here, right now, right next to you, reading these words with you.
3. They're not cute, cuddly, comfortable, chummy, or "cool." They are fearsome and formidable. They are huge. They are warriors.
4. They are the real "extra-terrestrials," the real "Supermen," the ultimate aliens. Their powers are far beyond those of all fictional creatures.
5. They are more brilliant minds than Einstein.
6. They can literally move the heavens and the earth if God permits them.
7. There are also evil angels, fallen angels, demons, or devils. These too are not myths. Demon possessions, and exorcisms, are real.
8. Angels are aware of you, even though your can't usually see or hear them. But you can communicate with them. You can talk to them without even speaking.
9. You really do have your very own "guardian angel." Everybody does.
10. Angels often come disguised. "Do not neglect hospitality, for some have entertained angels unawares" -- that's a warning from life's oldest and best instruction manual.
11. We are on a protected part of a great battlefield between angels and devils, extending to eternity.
12. Angels are sentinels standing at the crossroads where life meets death. They work especially at moments of crisis, at the brink of disaster -- for bodies, for souls, and for nations.

Professor Kreeft will be in Sacramento next month as the speaker for October's meeting of the Sacramento Catholic Forum, click here for more information.

Click here to purchase prints of the above art featuring the archangels.