Venerable Mother Dolores Medina

The cause for sainthood for Mother Dolores Medina, founder of the Daughters of the Passion of Christ and the Sorrowful Mother (the Mexican Passionist Sisters), is now in Rome. She is portrayed here holding a crucifix with passionate, devoted reverence. The intensity of her gaze is born of the pain she suffered in illness during which she amazed her companions with heroic patience. The lilies and gladiolas at her side were referenced from religious shrines and feast days of Mexico, her country of origin. The nopal cactus is a food staple of the Mexican poor whom she instructed her followers to love and serve. The sunflowers in the foreground, shared also with St. Francis, symbolize her presence in Kansas.

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis, founder of the Franciscans and patron of other orders following Franciscan spirituality, taught us kinship with all God’s creation .He spoke of Brother Sun and Sister Moon and even Little Sister Death. He is shown here surrounded by God’s creatures with sun and moon in the background. The donkey is how he referred to his own body. The Western meadowlarks and sunflowers connect him to his home in Kansas.