The Divine Journey—Companions of Love and Hope by Janet McKenzie (janetmckenzie.com) brings to mind the communion of saints, the great cloud of witnesses we celebrate this month. The Blessed Mother and the Christ Child are at the center of the image, surrounded by anonymous companions representing those who have gone before us in the faith, the blessed still living among us, and even ourselves. McKenzie says, “The figures are meant to be unified as a mass. Everything in the painting leads to Mary. Mary is the physicality. Mary is the figure who reaches out to us. She is the bearer of faith and hope. The figures are the companions of love. They are all on the divine journey, just as we all are.” 

McKenzie is known for honoring diversity and portraying frequently underrepresented groups in her art. In particular, she strives to feature those who often have been left out of iconic imagery of Christ and the Virgin Mary. Her art gained national and international recognition when her portrait Jesus of the People took first place in National Catholic Reporter’s global competition, “Jesus 2000”. Since that time, she has continued to produce work that proclaims the message of diversity within the Body of Christ. 

We all share the human experience—both joy and sorrow, suffering and delight. We all find ourselves wandering at times, and we all must take courage, support one another, and continue our divine journey, surrounded by companions of love and hope. St. Benedict reminds us, in chapter 72 of the Rule, “Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life.” In this month when we remember saints and souls, living and dead, let us also be mindful that “all” means all in the mercy of God.