THE ECSTASY OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA (BERNINI)

[Photo: The Ecstasy of St. Teresa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini at the Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome]

Wikipedia:

Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada, (March 28, 1515 – October 4, 1582) was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun, writer of the Counter Reformation, and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer. She was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and is considered to be a founder of the Discalced Carmelites along with John of the Cross.

In 1622, forty years after her death, she was canonized by Pope Gregory XV and in September 27, 1970 was named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI.[6] Her books, which include her autobiography (The Life of Teresa of Jesus) and her seminal work El Castillo Interior (trans.: The Interior Castle) are an integral part of Spanish Renaissance literature as well as Christian mysticism and Christian meditation practices as she entails in her other important work, Camino de Perfección (trans.: The Way of Perfection).

Khanacademy.org

This is her description of the event that Bernini depicts:

    Beside me, on the left, appeared an angel in bodily form.... He was not tall but short, and very beautiful; and his face was so aflame that he appeared to be one of the highest rank of angels, who seem to be all on fire.... In his hands I saw a great golden spear, and at the iron tip there appeared to be a point of fire. This he plunged into my heart several times so that it penetrated to my entrails. When he pulled it out I felt that he took them with it, and left me utterly consumed by the great love of God. The pain wasso severe that it made me utter several moans. The sweetness caused by this intense pain is so extreme that one cannot possibly wish it to cease, nor is one's soul content with anything but God. This is not a physical but a spiritual pain, though the body has some share in it—even a considerable share.

Annenberg Learner

Bernini’s sculptural group shows a cupid-like angel holding an arrow. His delicate touch and lithe figure give him an air of grace. With her head thrown back and eyes closed, Teresa herself collapses, overcome with the feeling of God’s love. Her physical body seems to have dematerialized beneath the heavy drapery of her robe. Twisting folds of fabric energize the scene and bronze rays, emanating from an unseen source, seem to rain down divine light. The combined effect is one of intense drama, the ethereality of which denies the true nature of the work of art. Despite being made of heavy marble, saint and angel—set upon a cloud—appear to float weightlessly.

FOUNTAIN OF FOUR RIVERS (BERNINI)

Photo: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi at the Piazza Navona, Rome

Rome.info:

The Fountain of the Four Rivers depicts Gods of the four great rivers in the four continents as then recognized by the Renaissance geographers: the Nile in Africa, the Ganges in Asia, the Danube in Europe and the Río de la Plata in America.

Each location is further enhanced by animals and plants of that country. The Ganges carries a long oar, representing the river's navigability. The Nile's head is draped with a loose piece of cloth, meaning that no one at that time knew exactly where the Nile's source was. The Danube touches the Papal coat of arms, since it is the largest river closest to Rome. And the Río de la Plata is sitting on a pile of coins, a symbol of the riches America might offer to Europe (the word plata means silver in Spanish).

Each River God is semi-prostrate, in awe of the central tower, epitomized by the slender Egyptian obelisk (built for the Roman Serapeum in AD 81), symbolizing Papal power and surmounted by the Pamphilj symbol of the dove.

ABC News. Bernini's Famous Fountain Gets a Face-Lift:

The scaffolding came down just in time for the holidays, and now Gian Lorenzo Bernini's 17th century masterwork -- the Fountain of the Four Rivers -- has reclaimed its place as the centerpiece of Rome's famed Piazza Navona.

This imposing fountain has always been a landmark in one of Rome's most magnificent squares, just two steps from the Pantheon and the Spanish steps. And in recent years, it has acquired special intrigue, thanks to author Dan Brown, who set his prequel to "The Da Vinci Code" in Rome. Robert Langdon's clues in "Angels and Demons" lead him to Piazza Navona at night and, believe it or not, into the fountain itself where he proceeds to wrestle a mysterious foe underwater. "Angels and Demons" tourists can now fully appreciate where Langdon fought for his life.

Angels and Demons Film Location:

The cardinal is dumped into the fountain: the Fountain of the Four Rivers, Piazza Navona, Rome.

AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

[Photo: Façade of the Australia War Memorial, Canberra, Australia]

Australian War Memorial Official Website:

The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. The Memorial's purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war. Its mission is to assist Australians to remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society.

Wikipedia:

The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Photograph at the Australian War Memorial Museum

Large Australian and American forces fought in the south-West Pacific to regain New Guinea, the Philippines and Borneo.

Caption of the photo: Fulfilling his promise – “I shall return”—General Douglas MacArthur strides ashore at Leyte in the Philippines in October 1944. The main objective of MacArthur’s campaign in the south-western Pacific was to liberate the Philipines.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

[Photo: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Tabor House, Pansol]

FIRST APPARITION

At dawn on December 9, 1531, Juan Diego, an Indian convert, was going to Tlatelolco to attend catechism class and hear the Mass. As he was passing Tepeyac Hill, he saw a brilliant light on the summit and heard the strains of celestial music. Filled with wonder, he stopped. Then he heard a feminine voice asking him to ascend. When he reached the top he saw the Blessed Virgin Mary standing in the midst of a glorious light, in heavenly splendor. The beauty of her youthful countenance and her look of loving kindness filled Juan Diego with unspeakable happiness as he listened to the words which she spoke to him in his native language. She told him she was the perfect and eternal Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God, and made known to him her desire that a shrine be built there where she could demonstrate her love, her compassion and her protection. "For I am your merciful Mother", she said, "to you and to all mankind who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. Therefore, go to the dwelling of the Bishop in Mexico City and say that the Virgin Mary sent you to make known to him her great desire." (Queen of the Americas Guild)

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE IS SECONDARY PATRONESS OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO ON JULY 16, 1935, Pope Pius XI declared Our Lady of Guadalupe patroness of the Philippines. Pope Pius XII, however, issued a Papal Bull on Sept. 12, 1942 declaring that the Immaculate Conception is the principal and universal patroness of the Philippines. At the main altar of the Basilica Minore of the Immaculate Conception in Intramuros is enshrined the Inmaculada Concepcion. This makes the Guadalupe secondary patroness. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

THE IMAGE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE WAS PREGNANT

The Guadalupe Apparition is the only apparition where Our Lady left an actual picture of herself. All other apparitions were drawn from the description given to them from the visionary.

The image wore a black sash which was a symbol of pregnancy. Also the central part of her dress was bulbging. This would indicate she was pregnant with the Child Jesus at the time of the apparition. Mary would possibly be around the age of fourteen. (EWTN)

For this reason Our Lady of  Guadalupe has been chosen as patroness of the pro-life movement.