In a world where the sanctity and value of human life is cheapened by the practice of abortion, euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, this painting portraits a different and holy call as one prepares to go home to the Lord.
The promise of a happy and holy death which is desired and sought is accomplished through prayer and preparation. This portrait speaks of the love, forgiveness and prayer of the church and family gathered around the loved one as they prepare to meet the Lord and to be es- corted by the Angels to the bosom of Abraham. (look out the window)
The original oil painting hangs in the foyer of Loreto on the Plains Personal Care Home located in Hartley, TX. All who enter are moved by the serenity and peace of this painting that expresses the end of life care for which Loreto was founded.
The Rosary is the prayer of meditation on the life of Christ and the Rosary beads are an aid to help in the counting of the prayers that are to be said on it. The Virgin Mary is the perfect example of one who gave her “Yes” to God and we are called to do the same. These beads are also used to pray the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy.
The priest brings the prayers of healing and cleansing found in the Sacrament of the Sick and represents the church and the body of Christ. This may be the opportunity for making a last confession, leaving behind the wounds, hurts and sins of this world and preparing to enter into an eternal relationship with Jesus. Our journey to God should be free of all earthly concerns as we place them in the merciful arms of Jesus.
The importance and comfort of water in the support of life is stressed again as the nurse brings a life giving glass of cool water to the patient as a deed of compassion and mercy.
The painting illustrates the family and respect for life from conception to natural death. The artist places a fetus in every painting and in this one it is found in the flowers on the night stand.
The Angels are coming down the stairs to escort the soul into the Ocean of His great Mercy. In the Funeral Mass the very last song is called "The Song of Farewell" and speaks of the Angels taking us to the bosom of Abraham.
The vase of flowers represents the vase of flowers found on the nightstand beside Terri Schiavo’s bed and spoken of by Fr. Pavone in his pamphlet "Terri Schiavo’s Final Hours An Eyewitness Report." The empty glass of water represents the hydration of the loved one which is the very opposite of Terri’s treatment where not even a drop of water was allowed to touch her lips. Food and water are essential to the support of life and well being.
The clock on the wall above the Image of Divine Mercy shows The Three O'clock Hour, the holy hour in which Jesus gave up His life for us setting us free to love, to forgive and to be reconciled with the Father.
Through the Image of Divine Mercy the rays of His merciful Love penetrate and fill the room. Jesus said, "I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over its enemies already here on earth. especially at the hour of death. I myself will defend it as My glory." (Diary 48)
The ultimate gift we can give to the Lord is our own suffering linked with His as Redemptive Suffering for “us and for the whole world” (from the Chaplet of Divine Mercy). We can give ourselves to the Lord with a simple “yes” as the Virgin Mary did and be a powerful and intimate part of the work of His mercy. Thus, the crown of thorns around the dying loved one’s head reminds us that no suffering is wasted when we give it back to the Lord .
The last element of this picture is the family surrounding the bedside from which all the care, compassion, love, forgiveness and reconciliation flow while praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Rosary.
About the Artist
Randy Friemel has been drawing all of his life but only started painting in the last two years. His avid study of scripture for the last 12 years has inspired his desire to paint pictures of Jesus and His miracles of healing that minister to those who are blessed enough to enjoy the beauty and meaning of his work.
Randy is very Pro-Life and has placed a small fetus in every one of his works to express the value of human life. He was commissioned in 2011 to paint this painting of the Respect Life message at the end of life for Loreto on the Plains Personal Care Home in Hartley, TX.
The original oil painting hangs in the foyer of Loreto on the Plains Personal Care Home located in Hartley, TX .
All who enter are moved by the serenity and peace of this painting that expresses the end of life care for which Loreto was founded.
Fr. Ron on Compassion
Compassion: a word from Latin meaning to suffer with (another)
Listen to Jesus: "When the Son of Man comes in His Glory...He will separate them into two groups. To one group He will say, Come! You have my Father's Blessing... When I was hungry, ...thirsty...a stranger...naked...in prison...sick... you were there for me...as long as you did it for one of my least brothers or sisters, (served them), you did it for me!" (Matthew 25: 31ff). That is compassion. Jesus had it; He commanded that we have it too. This will guarantee us eternal life!
Look at this Painting by Randy Friemel. Did he not capture that special "something" that Jesus had, which caused Him to heal, comfort, encourage and call forth the gifts of His followers? That special quality is love in action whereby we see someone in need and enter into a relationship with them, we have compassion, we sense their pain.
We have been there ourselves. We serve, because we are full of the desire to alleviate the pain, to address the hurt, to liberate the bondage of sickness and loneliness, to accompany a brother or sister on the last stages of their pilgrimage on earth. This is Loreto on the Plains Personal Care Home. Personal ... one on one, care ... loving service, total, sacrificial, ... and a home ... not an institution, but a home! Family! Life!
This is in honor of the love and hospitality of the Holy Family in the Holy House of Loreto. No better environment on the face of the earth can be found, since Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are interceding and inspiring all who serve and all who share in serving with their personal involvement in this "Culture of Life."
Meditate on this painting, and encounter the many ways that serving will benefit you: this is for you! Take it into your spirit, embrace it, let it transform you, in the Name of Jesus, Our Healer and Redeemer! Amen, and Amen!
~Fr. Ron Matthews, Chaplain