by sacred artist Ruth Stricklin
In the month of April, the faithful turn their gaze toward the Blessed Sacrament—a divine mystery that transcends the bounds of human comprehension. Just as the sun's golden rays illuminate the earth, so too does the presence of Christ in the Eucharist illuminate the soul, infusing it with divine grace and love. St. John Chrysostom, with his eloquent words, called the Eucharist the "medicine of immortality"—a sacred remedy for the afflictions of the soul. In this Holy Sacrament, we encounter the fullness of God’s love, a love so profound that it becomes food, by which he nourishes his own Body, the Church.
Explore the art as Ruth shares the rich details of this work in a vlog!
As we embrace this devotion during April, the "Communion of the Apostles"—an artwork created in 2020—serves as a powerful visual catechesis. It invites us into a deeper contemplation of the sacred mystery of the Blessed Sacrament, urging us to approach the altar with the same reverence and awe that the apostles did, for they were the first to receive this precious gift. Rooted in Byzantine iconography, this image is rich in theological symbolism, guiding us into a greater understanding of Christ's real presence in the Eucharist.
The celebration of the Eucharist in the Mass is the sacred ‘trysting place’, where the divine breaks into the ordinary and sanctifies it. The "Communion of the Apostles" at once calls to mind the Last Supper, but presents it in its liturgical fullness. Jesus is the true Eternal High Priest, standing in priestly vestments, not at the table of the Last Supper, but before an altar, adorned with festive altar cloth. The unleavened bread of Passover is presented in a liturgical ciborium. And the "upper room" is now presented as a church, with the four-pillared baldachin. Christ offers himself to the Father and nourishes the faithful through the sacrament of the Eucharist. It is a reminder that the Eucharist is not merely a symbol but a real and tangible communion with Christ.
The Eucharist is the very source and summit of our Catholic faith—the wellspring of spiritual nourishment and strength, both individually and as the Body of Christ. As depicted in the Communion of the Apostles, the apostles, Saints Peter and Paul, are fed not only in body but in soul, receiving the dual nourishment that lies at the heart of our devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. In receiving the Eucharist, we, too, are sustained in body and soul, fortified by the divine grace that flows from this holy gift.
Consider downloading our free Visio Divina guide for The Communion of the Apostles after exploring the image and its symbolism in greater detail.
Symbols in the "Communion of the Apostles"
The artwork is rich with symbolism that invites further reflection on the Eucharist’s profound meaning.
The Peacocks and the Vine
The peacock is an ancient symbol of eternal life in Christian art, as it was believed its flesh does not decay, representing the indestructible nature of the soul. The vine, as described in John 15:5, signifies Christ as the source of life. Together, these symbols speak to the unity of the Church, rooted in Christ and nourished by the Eucharist.
Altar Tools: These represent the sacred instruments of the liturgy in the Eastern Rite and the sacred work of priests, highlighting the connection between the earthly celebration of the Eucharist and the heavenly Liturgy.
The Angels: Angels in this image signify heaven’s presence and the myriad of heavenly hosts participating in every Liturgy. They remind us that the celebration of the Eucharist is not just an earthly act but also a heavenly one.
Liturgical Fans (Rhipidia): Traditionally waved by deacons during the Liturgy, rhipidia symbolize the six-winged seraphim, celestial beings who are thought to be present during the Mass. Held by the attending angels, these are symbolic of the angels’ role in worship, and represent the beating wings of the seraphim near the throne of God.
The Canopy: Serving as a sign of reverence and protection, the canopy, or baldachin, symbolizes protection over the precious offering on the altar and the covering of God's grace over the faithful. It also emphasizes the place where the bridegroom (Jesus) encounters his bride (the Church) in a covenant of everlasting love, a type of bridal chamber, recalling the sacrament of Matrimony.
Tree: The tree, reminiscent of the tree depicted in the ancient Icon of the Holy Trinity by Rublev, is an image of the Tree of Life, a reference to eternal life in Christ. It also recalls the wood of the Cross, linking the sacrifice of Christ to the Eucharist.
The Saints and Symbols The presence of saints in the icon symbolizes the Church Triumphant in heaven, united with the Church on earth during the Mass. St. Peter, depicted with the Keys of the Kingdom of God, and St. Paul, shown with the sword of the Word, represents the apostolic foundation of the Church and our shared communion in faith. Paul, although not present at the Last Supper, represents the mission to the Gentiles.
Christ as Priest, Altar, and Sacrifice: In the Communion of the Apostles, we visually encounter the catechesis presented in the Catechism on the Paschal Banquet, “The altar, around which the Church is gathered in the celebration of the Eucharist, represents the two aspects of the same mystery: the altar of sacrifice and the table of the Lord. This is all the more so, since the Christian altar is the symbol of Christ himself present in the mystery of the assembly of his faithful, both as the victim offered for our reconciliation and as food from heaven who is giving himself to us.” (CCC 1383) Therefore in this image, standing in priestly vestments, we encounter Christ as both the Priest offering the sacrifice and as the unblemished Lamb being sacrificed.
A Call to Communion
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Click the Image of Venerable Fulton Sheen for the second video in the Vlog on The Communion of the Apostles by Ruth Stricklin
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen likened the Eucharist to a divine embrace—where heaven and earth meet, and the soul is drawn into the heart of God. In the Mass, Christ is always present, patiently waiting for us to come into communion with Him. It is in this intimate encounter that we are transformed—our hearts set ablaze with divine love, our spirits lifted toward the heavens.
As we reflect on the "Communion of the Apostles" to inspire our devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, may we be drawn into a deeper communion with the Lord and be transformed by His presence. Like the apostles, may we receive this gift with reverence, allowing it to nourish our souls and strengthen our faith. We are reminded of the words of St. John Chrysostom:
“The Eucharist is a fire that inflames us. Let us return from that table as lions breathing out fire, thus becoming terrifying to the devil.”
The Eucharist empowers us, infuses us with divine strength, and equips us to live out our faith with courage and conviction. If you would like to pray with the image during Adoration in this month devoted to the Blessed Sacrament, we invite you to download our The Communion of the Apostles Visio Divina. We will you in the Eucharist!