The Holy Family with a Bird

In the "Kiddy Korner" of the main vestibule is a framed poster of a mosaic interpretation of a renowned painting. Titled "The Holy Family with a Bird", the original was painted by Bartolome Esteban Murillo around 1650. The original painting is an oil on canvas measuring 56 1/4" x 74". Of particular interest in Murillo's interpretation of this classic study is Joseph's attending to the child Jesus, a role more often portrayed as one belonging to Mother Mary. Also, the playful dog allows Murillo to provide a pleasing scene of a domestic family setting where the sport of a grateful child attracts the delightful attention of his affectionate parents. Rather than a somber, pious, and statuesque depiction, Murillo has chosen to remember the Holy Family as relaxed, joyful and at ease

Holy Family Painting

Located in the day chapel -- now renamed for the Holy Family -- is a painting of the Holy Family, measuring four-feet by six-feet. It is centered on the wall behind the altar. The painting was inspired by an icon holy card which Fr. Boccaccio provided to Ed Spires who in turn worked with portrait artist and parishioner John Harris*. The painting was done in the style of the Italian master Giotto di Bondone (1266?-1337) who is remembered by art historians as the painter who "opened the door to the Renaissance." (Giotto's work, which was rooted in the Byzantine tradition, attempted realism in painting by going from a flat to a dimensional look). The frame was constructured by Ed Spires from gathered architectural wood carvings and moldings found at one of his and Fr. Boccaccio’s favorite sources, United House Wrecking in Stamford.

Painting of Mother with Child

This painting, which hangs appropriately in the Kiddie Korner of the vestibule, uses color and shapes to depict the love that a mother and child share. David Morico, a local artist and former member of our parish, painted and donated this work.

Painting of Mary Magdalene

A painting of Mary Magdalene is found in the passageway leading to the Reconciliation Chapel (on the reverse of the Tabernacle wall). She is shown with the oil which she used to anoint Jesus. The oil vessel rests on the book of knowledge at her side. This painting was copied by local artist Bruce Lanehart from photographs of the original in the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, Urbino, Italy.

Sts. Candidus and Eugenius Diptych

Saints Candidus and Eugenius are portrayed by Westport artist, Elizabeth Hartstein. They are enshrined in a gothic frame located in the west vestibule. St. Candidus was a Roman soldier and officer who was martyred ca. 287 A.D. His feast is celebrated Sepetmber 22. St. Eugenius was the Bishop of Toledo, Spain, and was martyred ca. 657 A.D. An astrologer, mathematician and musician " who tried to improve the poor singing of which he heard too much," his feast is celebrated November 13. The paintings are acrylic on gessoed wood panels. The frame, which is both gold and silver gilt over wood and gesso, was copied directly from a 14th-century Italian frame, adorned by three silver figurines: St. Hubert and the Miraculous Hunt on either side of St. Joseph. The saint is shown as a hunter who experienced the miracle of a visitation from Christ through sight of a deer with a crucifix between its antlers. St. Joseph, carpentry tools at his feet, holds bread and wine to welcome all who enter.