We continue our journey to discover the works of art inside the Basilica of Visora. We had dealt with the works of art inside the Basilica of Visora a couple of months ago. Ph which mainly occupy the central nave of our majestic Sanctuary. But the artistic representations stand out along the entire internal perimeter of the church. Let us focus on the four occupying the two sides of the altarWorks of the Neapolitan Stefano Macario, Franciscan monk, they connect moments of the life of the Holy Family with scenes of everyday life from 1900.
Works on the right…
They occupy the right side of the presbytery Work in the house of Nazareth e The work of farmers and artisansIn the first scene, Jesus, Saint Joseph, and the Virgin Mary are busy working in the carpentry shop. Saint Joseph is depicted handing a cross to Jesus. Jesus receives it and turns his gaze toward heaven, a sign of respect for God's will. A sort of premonition. With the Sacrifice on the cross he will show himself to be the conqueror of deathThe Virgin, in the lower right, spindle in hand, watches the scene, expressing perplexity and uncertainty about what is about to unfold. On the left, a boy stands by indifferently. In front of the painting of the Holy Family a canvas showing work in the fields. Several figures are cultivating the land. In the foreground, some children are warming themselves around a "small fire." This could represent the Light (Jesus) that conquers darkness (death).
…and to the left!
Let's now move to the left of the altar. Here, too, two interrelated moments emerge. The Flight into Egypt (featured image) and The Emigrants. Joseph and Mary, after learning that King Herod intended to kill all the children in the area, they set out to escape the slaughter of the innocentsIn the foreground, the Madonna, on a donkey led by an angel, supports the child wrapped in her cloak with her right hand. A little further back is Saint Joseph. The same fate befalls the numerous figures featured in the canvas opposite. Several men who, out of painful necessity and to escape "poverty" they are about to leave their countryThey carry the characteristic cardboard suitcase used in the 1900s and set off in search of a better future. Our emigrants are particularly attached to this image.
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Oak in Visora is, in fact, dedicated to them, as Monsignor Moietta reminds us at the end of the prayer dedicated to the Virgin.Protect our emigrants with special love from your Sanctuary. Preserve their attachment to the Christian faith and grant them the opportunity to return home healthy and upright.".
And you, have you ever stopped to admire these beauties?
