Rosa Mystica

by Mary Kay Fosnacht

Overland Park, KS, USA

Piecefularts.com

20" w x 32" h (51 x 81 cm)

Throughout history, the image of Mary has been a source of solace and intercession, especially in moments of profound suffering and uncertainty. Rosa Mystica draws upon this tradition, evoking Mary as the Mystical Rose—an enduring symbol of compassion, healing, and steadfast presence amid human struggle.

The quilt’s central figure, radiant in blue and gold, recalls both icon and apparition, standing as a quiet sentinel among roses and thorns. The roses suggest grace and hope; the thorns remind us of the pain of our time—war in Gaza and Ukraine, the anguish of displaced migrants, and the ecological wounds of climate change. Together, they form a landscape where sorrow and resilience coexist.

As in the centuries-old practice of turning to Mary in prayer, Rosa Mystica invites us to entrust our fears and struggles to a presence that holds them tenderly and lifts them toward transformation. Even in the shadow of violence, displacement, and ecological crisis, the Mystical Rose endures. She is a reminder that intercession is not only an act of divine compassion, but also a call for us to embody mercy, courage, and care for one another and for our common home.

Materials and technique: Hand-dyed and commercial cotton fabric, dye-painted silk organza, raw-edge appliqué.

Copyright @mfosnacht