[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Footer” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Bilbo Swash Caps||||||||” header_2_font_size=”47px” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” text_font_size=”17px”]<\/p>\n
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Pascal Adolphe Jean Dagnan Bouveret, a French painter in the late 1800\u2019s was known for his naturalist style. He was also one of the first of his time to experiment with the then new technique of photography. We can see both in Consolartrix Afflictorium. Rich with symbolism the painting is bathed in green with hues from almost white to deep and dark and suggests a sense of harmony in this woodland setting.<\/p>\n
We see Mary and Jesus at the center, encircled by three angels and we can almost hear their quiet, gentle song. While Mary looks lovingly at her son, Jesus is happily feeding the flock of birds that hover near him. All seems peaceful until our eyes move downward to take in the man collapsed on the ground in front of Jesus. Why did he come to Jesus? Did Jesus call him? We recognize the sorrow, anguish, and despair in his body. We all know the pain of sin. We know it separates us from Jesus and we can feel the conflict within.<\/p>\n
Growing up Catholic, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is familiar. We were taught to go at Easter and Christmas. But lately, I\u2019ve been pulled into a deeper relationship with my Faith. Some say that happens as we grow up. Real life serves up challenges, roadblocks, stress and even tragedy. One day we\u2019re managing our familiar routines of work and family and the next we\u2019re looking at our world turned upside down. In the process, I\u2019m learning to see this sacrament as the gift it is rather than an obligation. In crisis, we are humbled like Bouveret\u2019s man in Consolartrix Afflictorium. We turn to Jesus. Or, is it Jesus calling us, drawing us back to him? Shake off the routine and complacency.<\/p>\n
We know that we are all sinners. Whatever the sin, we know. Little by little it moves us farther away from Him. The pain is real. Our self talk says we\u2019re not worthy. Our fear keeps us away from the confessional. And yet, God calls us back. Can you hear him? \u201cCome to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.\u201d (Matthew 11:27-29).<\/p>\n
That feeling of being released from the pain is relief, freedom, a new beginning. The burdens are lifted, even the air feels lighter. Pascale\u2019s painting seems to reflect this feeling of Grace and harmony. \u201cSee, everything has become new!\u00a0<\/sup><\/b>All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ.\u201d (2 Corinthians 5:17-19).<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/workandcreate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Consolatrix_Afflictorium-Pascal-Adolphe-Jean-Dagnan-Bouveret-copy.jpg” title_text=”Consolatrix_Afflictorium-Pascal-Adolphe-Jean Dagnan-Bouveret copy” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_margin=”|-5vw|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|0vw|||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” width=”93%” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n by Pascal Adolphe Jean Dagnan Bouveret<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Learning to See” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”^||divi||400″ icon_color=”#ff4e00″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”94%” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_font=”Montserrat|700||on|||||” header_text_color=”#ee8b4b” header_font_size=”12px” header_letter_spacing=”2px” header_line_height=”1.8em” body_font=”||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”2em” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”14px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” icon_font_size=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ hover_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The idea of studying art is not new to me. I remember the tedious hours in Art History class in college. Memorizing the masters, their styles and the different historical periods through the ages. Reflecting on a beautiful painting like the Consolartrix Afflictorium is so different. It was a prayerful exercise. What do you see in this painting?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”The Sacrament of Reconciliation” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”^||divi||400″ icon_color=”#ff4e00″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”94%” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_font=”Montserrat|700||on|||||” header_text_color=”#ee8b4b” header_font_size=”12px” header_letter_spacing=”2px” header_line_height=”1.8em” body_font=”||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”2em” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”14px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” icon_font_size=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n According to the research, most Catholics don’t go to confession very often. Children in practicing Catholic families usually learn about this sacrament in preparation for First Communion in second grade.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Linked Resources on Confession” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”^||divi||400″ icon_color=”#ff4e00″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”94%” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_font=”Montserrat|700||on|||||” header_text_color=”#ee8b4b” header_font_size=”12px” header_letter_spacing=”2px” header_line_height=”1.8em” body_font=”||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”2em” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”14px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” icon_font_size=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n \u00a0____ in the “Ask a Catholic Priest”\u00a0 facebook group responded to a question about Confession with…..\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”|600||on|||||” text_text_color=”#7c93b2″ text_letter_spacing=”8px” text_line_height=”1.8em” positioning=”absolute” position_origin_a=”bottom_right” vertical_offset=”-120px” horizontal_offset=”-120px” z_index=”1″ vertical_offset_tablet=”-240px” vertical_offset_phone=”” vertical_offset_last_edited=”on|tablet” horizontal_offset_tablet=”0px” horizontal_offset_phone=”” horizontal_offset_last_edited=”on|tablet” position_origin_a_tablet=”bottom_left” position_origin_a_phone=”” position_origin_a_last_edited=”on|phone” position_origin_f_tablet=”” position_origin_f_phone=”” position_origin_f_last_edited=”on|tablet” position_origin_r_tablet=”” position_origin_r_phone=”” position_origin_r_last_edited=”on|tablet” width=”222px” height=”222px” custom_padding=”121px|10px|0px|81px|false|false” link_option_url=”#” scroll_rotating=”0|50|50|100|0\u00b0|0\u00b0|-45\u00b0” motion_trigger_start=”top” hover_enabled=”0″ positioning_tablet=”” positioning_phone=”” positioning_last_edited=”on|tablet” border_radii=”on|100%|100%|100%|100%” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#7c93b2″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” text_text_color__hover=”#ff4e00″ border_color_all__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” border_color_all__hover=”#ff4e00″ sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_margin=”|162px|-73px|0px|false|false”]<\/p>\n Work and Create<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" See everything has become new!Pascal Adolphe Jean Dagnan Bouveret, a French painter in the late 1800\u2019s was known for his naturalist style. He was also one of the first of his time to experiment with the then new technique of photography. We can see both in Consolartrix Afflictorium. Rich with symbolism the painting is bathed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":200,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1080","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art-beauty","category-reflection"],"yoast_head":"\n