Lines gently curving,
Colors warm and cold,
An appropriate quality of vivaciousness.
Two notable people, Marcellin and the Virgin Mary.
The first pointing the way,
The second in an act of welcome.
At the center of their lives, of our lives: children
Who hesitate, hope, entrust themselves.
In the background: the sea, a ship, the journey
So many roads,
A free interplay of rhythm and color
A shared destination
A peaceful haven, the Church,
Embraced by the One who is Christ, our Savior.

Saint Marcellin is portrayed on the right side of the icon.  He is wearing distinctive religious garb.  With one hand he points out the path which leads the young people to the Virgin Mary.  In his other hand he holds a sealed scroll to indicate the teacher’s professional task.

Looking out the window set in the back wall of the building, one sees the flickering glow of a vigil lamp.  Prayer was an integral part of Father Champagnat’s life.  From prayer he drew the strength to confront the challenging work which he had begun, that of educating and forming young people.

In front of Father Champagnat we see the young people to whom he dedicated his life from early years.  Mary, Theotokos, has given her Son to the world, and he has delivered us from sin and death.  To Mary, Marcellin leads the world’s children, no matter their origin or their age.  Upon Marcellin’s countenance one perceives love and patience and hope.  He is inviting us, asking us to follow his example in the way of sacrifice and service.

At the center of the icon – as is true for us  -  are the children. You see a boy and a girl.

The boy hurries enthusiastically to the arms of the Virgin Mary.  He is impulsive like all young people his age.  He is looking for acceptance, hope, understanding; he knows that he will find all such qualities within the maternal embrace.

The girl is hesitating a bit as she turns to look at the Virgin Mary, wondering and perhaps even doubting.  The Virgin Mary understands the girl’s feelings, recalling the words, « How can this come about since I am a virgin» and « I am the handmaid of the Lord; let what you have said be done to me.»
Behind the children, you can see the sea, the journey, the ship - symbol of the early Church.  The journey is not an easy one – full of joys, of painful experiences, of surprises.  Better than adults, children know that the pleasure of the journey lies hidden behind the unexpected, the surprises; that is why children do not like very much the humdrum aspects of daily life.  

The Virgin Mary stands to the left, gently bending forward with open arms.  Her hands indicate her readiness to welcome and to pray.  Thanks to her faith and to her acceptance of God’s will, she has been filled with grace so as to become Mother of the Savior.

With compassionate love, she is waiting to give children and young people a warm embrace.  With eyes of tenderness and understanding, she invites them to come close to her.  Her lips are closed, yet she says much.  She knows well that love does not lie in beautiful words; it reveals itself  in action, actions which quieten egoistic impulses and lead us into the calm haven of the Church.

This woman is their mother; she is our mother, the woman who leads the way between God and the human family.