YONKERS — Those lucky enough to attend the symposium on Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity not only got the chance to learn about the fascinating life of the French nun but also had an opportunity to enjoy beautiful artworks dedicated to her.
The artworks came courtesy of Sister Armelle Fauvette of the Sisters of Bethlehem, an artist who has become well known for her paintings of the Holy Trinty, biblical scenes and various saints, many of which can be viewed on her Instagram account (@sisterarmelle).
Sister Armelle, who, like St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, hails from France, set up a mini art gallery in the seminary’s main corridor displaying her works focused on Saint Elizabeth, the Trinity, and various other pieces. It proved to be a popular stop for attendees.
While many stopped by to admire her work, it wasn’t praise that Sister Armelle was after. She has a much bigger goal in mind. In her hands, the paintbrush turns into a tool of evangelization. She hopes her paintings will bring Catholics closer to their faith.
“Icons make the mystery of God and the mystery of salvation visible,” she explained. “The dogma of the faith becomes visible so that you can become closer to it.”
Sister Armelle explains she tries to get inside her subjects’ hearts in her work and will sometimes employ unusual techniques to get her point across. One of her portraits of St. Elizabeth of
the Trinity, for example, depicts the saint with her eyes closed.
“Normally, you see the eyes open, but I wanted to express the mystery of her vocation. That is why I chose to have her eyes closed,” Sister Armelle explained. “She is in deep concentration, thinking about the trinity.”
Sister Armelle has been painting since she was a young girl growing up in France. She concentrated on secular subjects and later switched to religious themes and continued her work when she professed her vows 28 years ago.
“I was painting when I was a kid, I was painting portraits. And when I entered the monastery, I began to paint icons,” she recalled. “It was good for me.”
The first icon she created was of St. Michael, the Archangel. Today, Sister Armelle is hired on commission by churches and religious orders but also accepts commissions from individuals. It can take her anywhere from two weeks to a year to complete a piece.
She is currently in the process of discerning to become a hermit. Once she completes that process, she will live behind closed doors in the monastery and communicate to the outside world strictly through her art. But Sister Armelle’s art will still speak loud and clear. She considers it part of her mission in life.
“Whether I am working on commission or creating something I have proposed myself, I cannot say it is me alone doing it,” Sister Armelle said. “I am inspired by God.”