Patron Saints of Europe

This liturgical beeswax candle, commissioned as a gift for Pope Leo XIV, depicts his coat of arms with his motto "IN ILLO UNO UNUM" surrounded by the six patron saints of Europe.

Can you identify all six of them?

Saint Philip

This for me unusual format is typical of baptisms in eastern countries, including Poland, the homeland of little Filip, for whom this candle was painted. It represents the child's two patron saints: Saint Philip and Adam.

Saint Joseph

This very simple candle represents Saint Joseph, protector of the Holy Family. Of course there is therefore Jesus in his arms, but Mary is also present, symbolised by the lily, which is found in the hands of her holy husband, but also around the cross of her son.

Saint Jean-Eudes

Saint John Eudes was concerned about the training of priests at a time when this was very neglected and insufficient. He founded several orders and a society of priests dedicated both to the training of seminarians and clergy and of popular preachers in parishes.

Mexican Saint Claire

This depiction of Saint Clare is dressed in Mexican attire with a typical Mexican cross, as this was a gift for a young girl who spent two years on a mission in Mexico with her family.

European Fraternity Candles

Here are some custom made candles prepared for a European Fraternity event. Each of these 22 candles was carefully hand painted with the association’s logo and an early Christian cross, as found in the catacombs.

Blessed Karoline Gerhandinger

Here are the other two sides of this four-sided candle (see previous image) which represent Blessed Karoline Gerhandinger, as well as the inscription with the child's name and the date of baptism.

Virgin of Silence

This representation of the Virgin of Silence by Kiko Arguëllo is a popular choice for the candles that are ordered from me.

The original being a stained glass window, it is not easy to adapt this image into a painting and I am always trying new ways.

Blessed Ombeline

Ombeline was the sister of Saint Bernard. She was married and was very fond of worldliness, wealth and finery. It was when her brother refused to receive her during a visit that she converted. With the agreement of her husband, she went to live as a nun in Burgundy until her death.

Christ Pantocrator

Here is a baptismal candle that was decorated with a reproduction of the icon of Christ Pantocrator by Kiko Arguëllo. Christ holds a Bible on which the words "Love your enemies. I am coming." are inscribed.

The cross was designed to match the feel of the icon.

Saint Francis of Assisi

This saint, who speaks to animals, is often very intriguing for children, who dream of emulating him. This makes him an excellent role model to encourage them to follow him in faith!

You can see the other two sides of this four-sided candle in the next image.

Provence Wedding Candle

I was commissioned to create a wedding candle in the colors of Provence. After debating whether to create a composition with elements typical of this region, I finally chose to depict a landscape, enhanced with golden elements.

Virgin of the Rosary

This child's parents wanted to pay homage to the Virgin of the Rosary and asked me for a representation related to the Battle of Lepanto. By combining two existing works of art, this candle was born.

Wedding Candle

Here is a simple wedding candle design, made to fit the design of the couple's invitations. The cross was painted following the design of the cross in the mass booklet, also ordered from Atelier des Auréoles.

Saint Rosa of Lima

This candle features an image of Saint Rose of Lima chosen by the parents, which is also found on the small cards I made, commemorating the baptism of this little girl.

Tobie and Sarah

Tobias and Sarah adorn this candle along with the Archangel Michael. This piece is intended as an ode to marriage. Five stars surround the couple's heads to represent the five children born of their union which this candle celebrates.

Confirmation Candle

This candle with the Holy Spirit designed as a gift for a confirmation combines the simplicity and the small flowers of the liberty fabrics that the recipient of this candle likes so much.

Saint Charles de Foucauld

Saint Charles de Foucauld was a priest who worked with and for local people in Syria, Palestine and Algeria before being assassinated at the door of his hermitage. He was canonised in 2022.

Saint Thomas More

Saint Thomas More was an English statesman, who was executed after refusing to take an oath to the English crown, and to recognise its authority as superior to that of the church.

He also wrote several humanist treatises.

Saint John Paul II

A well-known image of Saint Pope John Paul II is reimagined for this baptismal candle, which features two patron saints. The cross and the fish, symbols of early Christians, beneath the name of the baptized person, refer to the deep roots of our faith.

Blessed Eleonore

This depiction of Queen Eleonor, who lived the end of her life in a Benedictine monastery, is an adaptation of an image of Saint Claire. The cross on the back is modeled after the cross on the Saint Benedict medal.

Blessed Pauline Jaricot

Blessed Pauline Jaricot lived and worked all her life in Lyon and that is, among other things, the reason she was chosen as the patron saint of little Pauline, who lives very close to this city!

The parents were looking for a lightweight design that wasn't too overwhelming.

Saint Thomas More

This is not the first time I have depicted Saint Thomas More in this way and I am happy to have been able to update the design of this candle on the occasion of little Thomas's baptism!

Saint Catherine Labouré

This candle, commissioned for the baptism of a little Portuguese girl, bears the inscription of the miraculous medal translated into Portuguese at the top of the image. The latter is a reproduction of a famous painting by Saint Catherine Labouré.

Blessed Emperor Charles of Austria

This four-sided candle (see previous image) was made for the great-great-granddaughter of the blessed Emperor Charles of Austria.The shape of the cross reminds us of a symbol used by the first Christians.

Saint Rita

Since her youth, Rita wanted to become a nun, but her parents married her to a young man with whom she had twins. After the death of her husband, who was murdered, she worked for the reconciliation of her family with that of the assassin, and then entered an Augustinian monastery.

Saint Sophie

Saint Sophie and her three daughters were martyred in the 2nd century, after the girls refused to be adopted by Emperor Hadrian, who was struck by their beauty and virtues. To punish them, he had the daughters killed in front of their mother's eyes.

Saint Pierre-Julien Eymard

Saint Pierre-Julien Eymard founded the order of the Fathers of the Most Holy Sacrament and worked extensively for the propagation of the adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament. Here the illustration is inspired by a sculpture of the saint found in the chapel of the Church of the Fathers of the Most Holy Sacrament in Brussels.