Saint Augustine

Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy.

While standing in his garden, amongst hollyhocks and columbines, daisies, roses, and delphiniums, Saint Augustine accepted into his body the burning tongues of the Holy Spirit. Oh, this was long in coming. His life had been heading in a completely selfish direction and he sensed the futility and hollowness of his life, so far. His heart was breaking and felt as if it had literally been pierced by the arrow which shatters all illusion.

While surrounded by dancing butterflies, the clouds parted and he saw the face of God. In that moment, his past mistakes dropped away and he become one with his god-nature.

Watercolor and gold on paper. Copyright 2010 Kelley Vandiver