Our sister María Cruz Báscones, “Alpe,” a Daughter of Jesus from the Community of Our Lady of Aránzazu (San Sebastián), presented a new exhibition in the cloister of Palencia Cathedral: “A Song of Love, ” which was open to the public through August 14.
An exhibition that celebrated true love
The exhibition featured 34 vibrantly colored vitrified ceramic paintings inspired by the Song of Songs from the Old Testament, “the most beautiful song that can be sung,” in the words of Mª Cruz Báscones herself, and offered a view of human love from a perspective that was both humanistic and Christian. Through this work, Alpe expressed the constant quest to love and be loved, and placed the origin of all love in God.
The exhibition was rounded out with an introductory series of ten tempera paintings dedicated to Bascones de Ojeda, the village to which Alpe has felt a deep connection since childhood, depicted through the image of the train of life surrounded by nature.
At the opening ceremony, Bishop Mikel emphasized that it was a cause for joy that the diocese was enriched by Sister Mari Cruz’s legacy and talent, and he invited everyone to let themselves be captivated by the power of these images born of contemplation. Also present were Sister Silvia Casado, provincial treasurer of the Europe-Africa Province, and another sister from the congregation, as well as family members, friends, and representatives of the Cathedral.
Who is Alpe?
Born in Oteros de Boedo (Palencia), though connected to Bascones de Ojeda since childhood, María Cruz Báscones entered the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus at the age of 20. Her religious vocation and her artistic vocation have always gone hand in hand, resulting in an extensive body of work in oil and watercolor painting, religious sculpture, and enamels on vitrified ceramics—her most personal medium for biblical and spiritual themes. Her work can be admired today in various locations throughout Spain, France, Italy, and South America.
Downloads: Alpe nail polishes inspired by the charism of Saint Candida
To complement this post, we are making available to the Mother Candida family images from the collection of enamel works that Alpe created on the life and spirituality of Saint Candida, in honor of her canonization on October 17, 2010. We are also offering bookmarks featuring quotes from Saint Candida, ready to download and print.
With this exhibition in the cloister of Palencia Cathedral, the Congregation once again shared in the joy of seeing one of its sisters’ artistic gift put to use in the service of beauty and faith.
