Icon of Our Lady of Tenderness



Icon Our Lady of Tenderness

Writing this image of Our Lady of Tenderness began in March when we first took possession of our  property in the country. We have enjoyed the "retreat" time that we have found as we escape the city.

I have discovered several aspects of this embrace of the Mother and Child that I had not noticed before.

The left arm of Christ it raised to the Father, in an attitude of praise, longing, love, reaching and sheer joy.

The right arm of Christ is around the neck of his mother. This speaks of  love, embrace, a need to be held, protected and cherished.

Do these gestures speak to us of the divinity and the humanity of Christ?

The Mother of God caresses the child and protects him with the strong gentle hand.

In an icon there is usually a place of the viewer to enter.  I feel the black area under the arm of Christ is the place I can enter into the embrace of the Mother and Child. I invite you to enter into the embrace and find the love of Christ and His Mother for you.