Mass and Dedication of the original Oil Painting “Heart of my Heart”

On August 22, 1993, we celebrated a momentous occasion with the dedication of Enders Island and the Ministry of St. Edmund’s Retreat, placing it under the watchful protection of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This date holds a special significance in our community’s history, as it echoes back to the founding of the Society of St. Edmund in France in 1843. At that time, we were known as the Oblates of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

In those early years, the community was affectionately referred to as the Fathers and Brothers of St. Edmund, rooted in the Abbey of Pontigny, France. This sacred place was home to the uncorrupted body of St. Edmund, displayed in a reliquary above the high altar of the Abbey Church. August 22nd was not just any day; it was a cherished tradition when new members of our community would publicly pronounce their Religious Vows, marking their commitment to our mission and values.

Join us for Mass at 6:00 PM in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption, followed by the blessing and dedication of this exquisite oil painting by Master Artist in Residence Dan DeLouise!

The dedication will be followed by a dessert reception.

This is a Free Program

The painting is 7.5 feet by 5 feet wide. The picture displayed is only a portion of the painting.  It is a close-up of the face and breast, which is magnificent by itself.

Dan DeLouise wrote,

“In acknowledgement of the hundreds of Eucharistic miracles, many of which consistently conclude with a detailed analysis of identical human heart tissue, the correlation between the Sacred Heart and the Eucharist begins to reveal itself.

Within the painting, the Adoring Angels, the guardians of the most holy Eucharist, are depicted holding the two large patens, keeping even the tiniest particles of the Precious Body and Blood from falling to the ground.  It has been said that if angels could envy us humans, it would be due to the communion we experience with our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.

Surely it is the most Sacred Heart that we hold in our hands and receive on our tongues at the sacrifice of the Mass, where heaven and earth kiss.  May we imitate the very angelic beings who have seen the beatific vision. For we have in our very midst, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, given to us in this precious gift of the most Holy
Eucharist.

It is with great appreciation and gratitude to St. Edmund’s Retreat, Fr. Tom, and its generous benefactors for the privilege of being commissioned for this work of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May it inspire and transform our broken human hearts into His most Sacred Heart.”
Dan DeLouise