Summer Symposium 2024:
Reflections on Colouring the Mandalas
Teresa Thien Huong RNDM
The painting titled “Everything We Manifest in Our Lives is an Integral Part of the Universal Plan” beautifully shows Saint Augustine’s journey through life’s challenges to find God. The harmonious blend of colors represents the diverse experiences that form a perfect picture. At its core, images resembling swords point towards each other but embrace, symbolizing Augustine’s internal conflict during his search for God. This conflict and deep yearning lead to his profound desire to belong to God, like a pinwheel moved by the wind. The painting illustrates how Augustine’s life flowed in God’s love, becoming an infinite expression of this love. Augustine valued friendship deeply and taught others to cherish good friends and strong bonds.
The pinwheel’s interconnected wings symbolize these friendships, showing how each part connects closely while allowing space for individual growth. Thanks to Sister Anna for her insightful teachings in a creative way and for sharing the life of Saint Augustine with us.
Pricilla Lugun RNDM
WE HAVE NEVER BEEN ALONE.
This beautiful mandala speaks volumes when I look very closely. We are surrounding the whole world by leaning on each other. It’s to say we are dependent on each other for something or the other. The relationship towards the person or the things are so great. We are for the world and the world is for us. We are encouraging, comforting and supporting by leaning on the shoulders. We are connected and the circle of life goes on by our involvement. We dance, we march, we love and care and we are one.
Thuong Truong RNDM
We are each a unique, and each one of us plays a special role, adding our own colors, textures, and patterns that help shape the world around us, like the small yellow sparkling star is the first blooming flower woven and surrounded by the other flowers and grasses. The cosmic story awakens our thoughts and actions. Our connections resonate in ways we may not always recognize but they call us to live in harmony and at peace with one another.
Giang Pham RNDM
The rainbow stands as a divine bridge between the celestial and the earthly, a symbol of the profound connection that binds all creation. It weaves a tapestry where every color harmonizes with the next, illustrating the seamless unity of the universe. As we follow the arc of the rainbow, we observe how colors blend into one another, each transition a delicate dance of hues merging and shifting. This interplay between shades speaks to the inherent interdependence of all things, a vivid reminder of the beauty and unity that threads through the fabric of existence. What an extraordinary testament to the interconnected colors of life!
Nwe Ni RNDM
During our session with Anna about St Augustine, we were happy to learn about his childhood, the spirituality of confession and his friendships.
I also picked up a paper with Mandela painting. I chose a paper that had someone else’s work painted – but was not finished yet. I was very interested in the sentence on the paper ‘Nature is the ultimate creation of the collective mind’. While painting I held the previous artist in my thoughts, feeling a spiritual connection between us. After finishing my painting, I found it to be unique in the entire creation.
Jacinta Dkhar RNDM
As I colored this Mandela symbol, I was struck by the realization that the longest journey is the one inward. This journey involves deep self-reflection and exploration of one’s inner world, a path with no true end. The more I delve into this journey, the more I connect with my core beliefs and emotions. It becomes a quest for self-knowledge, insight, and a unique way of my life. Every piece of this drawing is interconnected, all pointing towards a central focus. Reflecting on this symbol, I am reminded of St. Augustine’s words: “For to have the fruition of God the Trinity, after whose image we are made, is indeed the fullness of our joy, than which there is no greater.”
Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions
393 Gaboury Place
Winnipeg, MB
Canada
R2H 0L5
Phone: (204) 786-6051
Fax: (204) 691-0640