Aug
22
2016
By Anonymous (not verified)
This story first appeared in the Summer issue of Marian Helper magazine. To get a free copy of the magazine, click here.
From 1953 until his death in 1978, the famous painter Norman Rockwell lived just down the hill from the Marian Fathers in Stockbridge. For many of his most famous artworks, he recruited locals to serve as his models. Such was the case for his 1970 painting "Christmas in Bethlehem" - only this time, he called upon the assistance of the Marians. Our January-May 1987 issue of Marian Helpers Bulletin used "Christmas in Bethlehem" for the cover image. The following explanation of the painting comes from that issue:
Norman Rockwell made it a rule never to fake anything, always to use, if possible, authentic props and costumes. When he decided to paint the religious procession at midnight in Bethlehem Square he didn't have far to go. He just came up to our monastery here on Eden Hill and asked us to help him with vestments worn by prelates and clergy. Three of our priests went down to his studio and posed for him. With the stroke of a brush he made Fr. Francis Duda, MIC, a bishop leading the procession, bending low, because the door leading into the church is constructed so low that all who go in must stoop to enter. Father Joseph Grisans, MIC, stands out tall and stately, all six feet of him. Father Gerald Ornowski, MIC, cross-bearer, represented the younger priests and clerics. Now all that the artist had to do was multiply his models and stretch out the procession.
When the painting was done, Mr. Rockwell called us for a final check to see if any corrections were needed to be made. That's when this photo was taken.
The painting reflects the uneasy "peace on earth" which still eludes mankind as evidenced by the presence of armed soldiers. It is supremely fitting that everyone should approach the Infant Jesus in a posture of humility. And it is our prayer that Heaven's gift of peace may truly reign in your heart.
From 1953 until his death in 1978, the famous painter Norman Rockwell lived just down the hill from the Marian Fathers in Stockbridge. For many of his most famous artworks, he recruited locals to serve as his models. Such was the case for his 1970 painting "Christmas in Bethlehem" - only this time, he called upon the assistance of the Marians. Our January-May 1987 issue of Marian Helpers Bulletin used "Christmas in Bethlehem" for the cover image. The following explanation of the painting comes from that issue:
Norman Rockwell made it a rule never to fake anything, always to use, if possible, authentic props and costumes. When he decided to paint the religious procession at midnight in Bethlehem Square he didn't have far to go. He just came up to our monastery here on Eden Hill and asked us to help him with vestments worn by prelates and clergy. Three of our priests went down to his studio and posed for him. With the stroke of a brush he made Fr. Francis Duda, MIC, a bishop leading the procession, bending low, because the door leading into the church is constructed so low that all who go in must stoop to enter. Father Joseph Grisans, MIC, stands out tall and stately, all six feet of him. Father Gerald Ornowski, MIC, cross-bearer, represented the younger priests and clerics. Now all that the artist had to do was multiply his models and stretch out the procession.
When the painting was done, Mr. Rockwell called us for a final check to see if any corrections were needed to be made. That's when this photo was taken.
The painting reflects the uneasy "peace on earth" which still eludes mankind as evidenced by the presence of armed soldiers. It is supremely fitting that everyone should approach the Infant Jesus in a posture of humility. And it is our prayer that Heaven's gift of peace may truly reign in your heart.
33DML
