The Icon

Icons are sacred images , and a product of prayer , silence and mortification. This ‘Icon of the Father’, the first in the world, was created by Lia Galdiolo of Padova.

Icons are sacred images , and a product of prayer , silence and mortification. This ‘Icon of the Father’, the first in the world, was created by Lia Galdiolo of Padova.
The blue sphere is His heart and He holds us securely in His hand. The alpha and omega represents the Word – the beginning and end of everything. The cross is the immolated lamb. Its golden colour symbolizes eternity.
The figure of the Father fills the whole icon in a perfectly frontal position to indicate His readiness to reveals Himself to all who wish to know Him. Closest to the throne of the Father and residing in the blue Heavens are twelve seraphims (six on either side). They contemplate God’s glory and are His faithful messengers.
The head is surrounded by a white halo signifying glory. The three initials ‘the omricon, the omega and the eta’ means , ‘I am who am’. The face is free of the usual long and flowing white beard because a white beard expresses the ageing of the body, the withering of the flesh (besides, Mother Eugenia saw the Father “without a beard”).
The black hair signifies the mystery that is inaccessible to the human mind. The hair covers golden strands, like the veil of the Holy of Holies, which was torn asunder when Christ died.
The small lips are shown in the act of breathing the life-giving spirit.
The eyes gaze with love and tenderness.
The blue tunic signifies divinity and the red mantle expresses God’s wisdom ad ardent love.
The bench on which he is sitting is very simple, because He wishes us also to sit beside Him without hesitation or fear. The two cushions indicate that God (blue) and man (red) can converse in the same place together.
The right hand raised in an expansive attitude of blessing, indicating that He does not wish to judge the world, but save it.
The Scepter, the symbol of justice, has been placed on the ground between His feet ; The Father wishes to exercise only mercy.
The royal crown placed beside the sceptre is an invitation to approach Him without fear.
The feet are in a position to start walking as the Father wishes always to come towards us and meet us. They too are surrounded by the halo of sanctity.

About Us

History

The devotion to God Our Loving Father first came to our parish Don Bosco Shrine, Ayanavaram, Chennai in 2001. It was started by Ms. Vimala Padmaraj and team under the able guidance of the then Most. Rt.Rev. Dr. Lawerence Pius, Bishop of Madras –Mylapore.

Vision

Our ultimate vision is one with the desires of God the father, to envision a day when the Father is celebrated with a special Feast day on the 1st Sunday of August, by the Catholic Church.

Mission

In this time of uncertainty, indifference, spread of disease, fear, rumors of wars, etc..the world must retreat back to the Father, Our Creator and True Love. The Father has never ceased to call us to Him, to protect us and care for us.