Image of Our Lady
Our Lady of Vladimir, also known as Our Lady of Tenderness, is a famous Russian icon dating back to the 12th century. Our Lady allows her Son to tenderly draw her cheek to His. He caresses her with the full embrace of His left arm and gently touches her cheek. He leans His body close to hers and directs His gaze devotedly upon her. Mary's body and heart respond to her Son. She leans into the face of Christ while looking out to us.
Discerning His suffering, her face speaks the profound compassion of her heart. Mother and Child are intimately one. Mary directs us to look to Jesus and to follow Him in trust; to follow His Way. She will be for us, as she is for Him, a Mother full of tenderness and compassion. Jesus invites us to know Mary as He knows her and therefore to love her with the same depth of love with which He loves her.