5x7in Bl.Rani Maria Icon

An original icon of Blessed Rani Maria from our February Prayer Card Club! 

Blessed Rani Maria’s life shines as a quiet yet powerful witness to what it means to dutifully respond to the will of God... The holy name of “Jesus” was constantly on her lips and it sustained her even to her final breath, when she was heard repeating “Jesus, Jesus.” This devotion gave her the grace to live with remarkable interior freedom... Her holiness was quiet, steady, and woven into her daily routine.

This deep interior life in turn fueled her missionary work. As the coordinator of social activities, Sr. Rani Maria worked tirelessly to uplift the poor by organizing educational programs and helping the marginalized become aware of their civic rights. Because of this work, she was often threatened by those who exploited the poor and felt challenged by her efforts... On February 25th, 1995 as it was her custom, before leaving the house she picked up the Bible and came across the following verse “Do not be afraid. I have carved your name on the palm of my hands” (Is.49:16). Shortly thereafter she was brutally stabbed and murdered in a coordinated attack on the bus."

In this icon we see Bl. Rani Maria wearing the blue habit of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation and carrying two symbols. The Scriptures are held open to symbolize her dedication to evangelization and also her daily devotion to reading the Bible. On its pages we also see the final verse she read on the day of her martyrdom. And nestled behind the Scriptures we see a palm leaf which also symbolizes her martyrdom.

5x7in with 23.5K gold