ICON OF BLESSED DINA BELANGER CREATED IN LEBANON

This icon was painted in 1993 in the studios of the Carmelite Monastery of the Theotokos  in  Harissa, Lebanon.   It does not pretend to describe the history of Dina’s life in detail, but rather to try to express her spiritual message in simple terms. For Dina the relationship with the Trinity is the central axis around which her entire spiritual life revolves. Her message is : » Let Jesus live in us, for thus the Holy Trinity will be enabled to pour out grace in profusion ». The icon is composed so as to emphasize this reality as lived by Blessed Dina. 

At the top, there is a small miniature of the icon of the monk Andre Roublev, the model for all the representations of the Blessed Trinity.  In the center, Dina is standing in the position of those who have been resurrected. The   style and elegance of her silhouette indicates her spiritual   achievement.  As a musician and as a mystic, she is completely given over to the power of God. On the left of the icon a flame burns on an altar and the five steps required to  reach it evoke a grace, described by Blessed Dina in her Autobiography,  in order to  describe that Jesus had taken over her being.

The right hand side of the icon is rich in symbols : a pomegranate tree with its fruit a figure of grace,  and of which the circular form  symbolizes the eternity and infinity of God. A star, represents Mary, the light and guide of Dina ; a dark cave represents the place where the, so called, « old creation » within Dina will die and thus enable «new creation »  enlivened by the life-giving Spirit, to rise. The water that flows from the cave reminds us of the life-giving power of redemptive suffering. The deer which drinks at the source is the image of Dina, consumed by the desire to love God and to suffer for Love.

TWO ICONS OF BLESSED DINA BELANGER CREATED BY SR MARTHA BELANGER RJM.

This icon, was created in 1997, the centenary year of the birth of Blessed Dina Belanger and expresses, both in form and colour, some aspects of her spiritual journey, which can be resumed in the words « It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me». (Gal. 2 :20)

The stages of Dina’s journey can be defined as follows :

SELF SURRENDER: expressed by the brown garment, a sign of renunciation of the world.

TRUST : The word that can be read on the scroll is the synthesis of a life that allows itself to be led by the Lord, through obedience, to the very end. Her autobiography, a task that was, for her, the most costly of her whole life, is a witness to the depth of the special mission that she knew she had been given.     

LOVE: The cross on her breast says everything about the love that Dina had for Christ in His Passion and her love for her Congregation, the monogram of which appears on the cross.

THANKSGIVING AND PETITION : the right hand, raised in a gesture of petition, is an expression of her prayer-life and the visible ear that of her willingness to listen to   all  who confide in her.

COMMUNION IN THE TRINITY :  the three beams of light on her forehead represent the path that Dina followed to the very center of the Trinity.

This other icon of Blessed Dina Belanger was painted in 2010. Dina is presented with, in her left hand, a miniature organ,  a symbol of the instrument that can render the purest spiritual harmonies, those which Dina would, no doubt, have heard.

Her right hand, while issuing an invitation to prayer, indicates Christ who offers her a cup « Do you wish to drink from my chalice ? » It is the gesture of the Lover to the beloved who will taste real joy.

THE ICON OF “THE THRONE OF GRACE OR IN PRAISE OF JESUS AND MARY “

ICONS

An icon, in the Christian tradition is a representation of holy persons (saints) in order to express the Divine.  Thus the key is in the concept of transfiguration, especially in the features of these persons.  The meaning of an icon is profoundly theological and, as such, differs from a holy picture. It is totally integrated into the catechesis of the Orthodox Church but also into that of the Catholic Church.

In our times, as human beings we need tangible means by which to grow and approach beauty, truth and the Divine, in order to give meaning to our lives.

Some iconographers, aware of the rich interior life of Blessed Dina Belanger, have dedicated icons to her. We are going to present them to you in the next editions.

THE ICON OF “THE THRONE OF GRACE OR IN PRAISE OF JESUS AND MARY “

The icon of « The Throne of Grace or In Praise of Jesus and Mary » is in the form of a triptych and was created by Sr Marthe Belanger RJM in June 1993, the feast of the Holy Trinity.

The Virgin Mary seated on a throne and placed close to her Son in glory, becomes the living image of the Church.  Jesus raises his right hand in blessing and in the left holds the scroll of the Word. Mary extends one hand towards Jesus, while the other reaches downwards in a movement of communion with her Son. The green and amber colours are a reminder of the chapel in the Generalate in Rome.

On the panel on the left, Saint Claudine is clothed in brown and red, the colours of humility and renunciation of the world. Her right hand is in the position of blessing that is reserved for the founders of religious orders or congregations. With her left hand she indicates the path to salvation and holiness : Jesus and Mary.

The panel on the right represents Blessed Dina Belanger, dressed in flowing robes as a sign of joy.  Her right hand points to the path of life: love of Jesus, love of Mary, together being but one love. The left hand holds a scroll as a sign of her mission: « You will do much good by your writings » and her motto, « Love and let Jesus and Mary have their way » can also been seen.

When looking at this picture the person standing before it is overwhelmed by silence and a deep conviction , « Every gift comes from on high » and one can join with the big family of Jesus and Mary in saying with her in truth , PRAISED FOREVER BE JESUS AND MARY!