BLESSING FROM SAINT JOHN PAUL II THE GREAT by: Fr. Henry Bocala

This was one week before I changed robe for good and received the Sacrament of the Holy Orders in Rome. The mere presence of the beloved Pope draws one closer to God. His words touch the depths of our soul and bring us face to face with eternity. To the left is the portrait of the Saint in meditative prayer (I used soft oil pastel on Canson paper, framed and presented personally to the Holy Father. The light and shadows against a dark backdrop create a powerful effect, bringing out the central figure as the fringes vanish in the dark. The range of colours was purposely narrowed down to three. The result is a portrait that comes out alive).