A Reflection on The Woman
A Story of Sin & Redemption
A Profound Experience
The Woman is a piece that reminds me of my own story of sin and redemption. It depicts Our Lady of Guadalupe wrapping what appears to be a defeated Eve in her mantle as she steps on the serpent in a desert landscape. To the left of Our Lady and Eve lies a bitten apple with a white rose springing to life from it. The raw beauty and symbolism of this image stunned me when I first saw it.
Where we are in life can strongly affect whether or not we are able to receive Divine beauty. Our personal experiences of sin and redemption shape how we receive divine beauty in sacred art. Only by sharing my past can I explain how deeply The Woman affected me.
The Past
I was born and raised Catholic. My family attended Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. My brother and I received our sacraments and served as altar servers. Looking back, while we fulfilled our obligations, our faith rarely extended beyond the church walls. My family did the bare minimum.
When high school ended, I left our rural town for college in the big city. What followed was predictable: a taste of freedom led to a cascade of poor decisions. I devoured every lie the feminist movement fed to young women: that my body was a tool to control men, that I could do everything better than any man, that I didn’t need a man if I chose not to. Each decision, each lie I embraced, pulled me further from God. During my rare visits to Mass, I imagined everyone’s eyes judging me, as if they could read my sins on my forehead. I had bitten the apple, fallen for the evil one’s deceptions, and even surrounded by people, I felt utterly alone. My life had become a spiritual desert. I was thirsting for truth but searching in all the wrong places.
After college, I met my husband, and we married in the Church. We had both resumed attending Mass regularly and I was slowly inching my way back to God, though His plans for us were far beyond my imagination. Marriage taught us both hard lessons quickly. We learned that sustaining a marriage requires real work, especially when old habits cling tight. For me, that meant the painful process of unlearning the lies I had allowed to consume me. Mary was pivotal in bringing me back to her Son and His Church.
Mary, Wrap Me In Your Mantel
It was during our darkest moments in marriage that I first truly understood Mary’s role as our Mother. When a particular event threatened to tear apart what we had built, I found myself on my knees, broken, ashamed and in desperate need of comfort. The desert in The Woman mirrors how I felt: barren, isolated, parched for healing.
Then came the devastating loss of our first child through miscarriage. In this profound grief, I discovered something unexpected, Mary had also known the pain of losing a child, though in a different way. She stood at the foot of the cross, watching her Son die. In my sorrow, I began to understand why she is so capable of wrapping us in her maternal comfort. The mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe in particular holds great significance as she is the patron of the unborn.
Just as Mary tenderly holds Eve in the painting, gathering her close under her protective mantle, she gathered me in my brokenness. The white rose sprouting from the bitten apple in the image speaks to this transformation. How our deepest wounds can become the very places where new life takes root. Through Mary’s intercession, I found my way back to her Son, back to the Church that had always been waiting with open arms.
Each person’s journey of faith is uniquely their own, and this image speaks differently to each heart it touches. For me, having experienced both profound brokenness and extraordinary grace, The Woman reflects a truth I’ve lived. Mary’s loving presence can lift us from our darkest moments. When we stumble or lose our way, her mantle extends wide enough to shelter all who seek comfort, gently guiding us back to her Son. In this tender depiction of mercy, I found my own story of healing reflected back to me, though I know others may find different meanings in its symbolism.
The Power of Sacred Art
Sacred art possesses a unique ability to heal wounds inflicted by past sins, trials, and trauma. For me, The Woman has become more than just a painting. It’s a constant reminder that no matter how far we stray or how deep our grief runs, the path back to the Lord remains open. Just as the white rose emerges from the bitten apple in the image, light will pierce through darkness, and Our Lady’s feet will continue to crush evil.
Looking at my family now and the intimate relationship I’ve developed with the Lord, I’m in awe of how far the Lord has brought me. What once seemed impossible has blossomed into a beautiful reality through His grace and Mary’s gentle guidance. The transformation in my life stands as testament to the truth that nothing is impossible through Him.
Today, I strive to embody Mary’s virtues for my children and husband. When I look at The Woman, I no longer see just my broken past. I see the journey through my sin and redemption, the power of divine mercy, and the endless possibility of grace. Just as Mary wraps Eve tenderly in her mantle in the painting, our Blessed Mother embraced me and led me home.
Click here if you are interested in purchasing Kate’s original painting, The Woman. You can also snag a limited edition 5″ x 7″ matted print by clicking here. Read about what Kate has to say about The Woman here.
Guest Blog Writer
Elise earned her bachelors degree in retailing and consumer sciences from the University of Arizona. After working in the retail industry, as a store manager and corporate level buyer for over 15 years, she embraced her vocation of being a wife, full time mother and community advocate in her town. She is a recovering Army wife venturing into the role of law enforcement wife. Her and her husband have two sons earth side and a baby in Heaven. She loves having theological talks with friends and family and sharing her story of sin and redemption. Now, Elise devotes part of her time working behind the scenes on the Visual Grace website and shop!
Kate Capato
Kate is a Sacred Art Painter, Inspirational Speaker, and Faith-filled Movement artist on a mission to spread God's love through beauty! Her inspiration comes from prayerful encounters with the Lord, and the rich traditions of our Catholic faith. When she's not creating something faith inspired, Kate is often traveling all over the world with her hubby soaking in the wonders of God's creation, or spending time with family and friends to live every moment to the fullest. To see her work, visit her portfolio below and share in this mission of spreading truth and goodness.
leave a comment
Did you know… …that there are specific ways to help preserve the art you just invested in for generations to come? When you invest in high quality art, you’re gonna wanna make sure that it stays around for years, ideally passing it on to future grandchildren. Right?! Think about all that art still around from […]
Read More
Have you ever had an idea or vision on your heart for a holy image for your church, home, or community but felt discouraged by your budget?
Read More
Many of you have asked me… …which books I recommend, so I have complied together a list below that I hope you find helpful — perfect timing as we are nearing summer! Books that Help You Understand the Faith more Deeply through Beauty: 1. The Word on Fire Bible – The Gospels Word on Fire […]
Read More
Have you ever felt the pain of the past? A feeling of guilt, shame or simply confusion? Maybe you have wished with all your heart that you could change something, but can’t? I have. Typically, these feelings run deep and most others just would not understand your personal hurt as they didn’t experience what you […]
Read More
All work is the sole property of Katelyn Capato and may not be used or reproduced in any way without permission.