'Madonna and Child' Iconography Resonates with Me

I was essentially raised by my mother, my aunt, and my older sisters. My family is matriarchal and I like it that way.

I was reared by strong women who tried to raise me to be a thoughtful man in a contemporary world. I'm not sure how successful I've been at living thoughtfulness, but within me are all the positive values those women tried to instill.

Within the Il Pensiero del Bento Pio IX Church (my favourite church in Rome, so far) is a beautiful icon of the Madonna and Child. Mary is dressed in blue and orange with an ochre robed Jesus on her lap, all set against a blue star filled sky; complimentary colours help unite a good composition.

I've always been drawn to 'Madonna and Child' icons. In a naive way, it speaks to a secular way of living I recognise: strong women, living independent lives, raising male babies to be thoughtful.

As a secular Jew I miss the important Christian narratives contained within these icons of course, but does that mater so much? As a site of interfaith dialogue, it seems like an interesting space for good conversation.

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