The Lamb is the focal point of this year’s Paschal design. It is a visual quotation from one of the paintings in the famous series of Agnus Dei images by the Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán.

The design is intended to be “read” from Lamb up to the Sacred Heart then back down again as visual meditation on the Eucharist.

The lamb represents the unblemished lamb of the original Passover along with the staggering number of animal sacrifices in the Temple. The eye then moves up to crucifixion scene on the base of the chalice which depicts Christ as the final sacrificial Lamb. To finish the meditation, we see Christ’s Sacred Heart superimposed on the unbloody host. The pierced heart drips Jesus’ precious blood into the chalice for the nourishment of the faithful.

Many years ago in an art appreciation course, the professor commented on the Agnus Dei by Zuburán. He pointed out that the image was likely part of a reredos, and the placement was such that as the priest elevated the host the white host visually blended with the wool of the lamb, graphically illustrating for the congregation, “Behold the Lamb”. That visual remains strong in my mind’s eye and forms a central part of my own contemplation of the Eucharist at every Mass, a kind of visual shorthand on the gift of the Eucharist.

The reference for the chalice is one that belongs to our parish pastor. It was first used by Pope St. John Paul II so it is a third class relic.

I chose to depict the pierced Sacred Heart naturalistically. This refers to the numerous Eucharistic miracles that are evidently actual cardiac tissue.

Each candle is a work of art - height and diameter vary the design choice I make to create a beautiful, balanced candle.