The Spirit of the Lord Is Upon Me
by Gail Donovan, Adelaide, Australia
This silk painting is an attempt to encapsulate the essence and charism of Margaret Mary Healy Murphy, foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate by Adelaide, 
Australia artist Gail Donovan.
The central figure represents Margaret Mary. She stands tall, strong and grounded. The Holy Spirit pervades - permeating and blessing the universe, the earth, the whole of creation. As the Spirit descends upon the figure of Margaret Mary, she is inspired and empowered to begin the work she knows she must do - to educate and minister to those deprived of respect for their human dignity.
There is dual symbolism in the group of figures that her arms encircle: Not only do they represent the generations of women who have followed from that beginning, but also those who have experienced the care and compassion offered to all in need.
The spiral "ribbon of life" emanating from the Holy Spirit also has many layers of meaning as it encircles and united all those in its path. This symbolism includes:
* Spiritual Energy - Life, love, freedom, justice, renewal
* The many gifts of the Holy Spirit
* The many cultures represented in the membership of the Congregation
The color and movement in the image also symbolize the life and actions of the Spirit in the story of this great woman, Margaret Mary Healy Murphy and those lives of all the wonderful women who have, and will continue to follow in her footsteps.
About the Artist
A few years ago Gail Donovan did what so many people only dream of doing. She left the comfort of full-time employment, workplace security to pursue a newfound passion and nurture her faith. Her move wasn't driven by any great ambition to see her art hanging on prestigious gallery walls around the world. Rather it was a need to do what God wanted.
Gail's work does now hang in galleries, schools and chapels in Australia, Scotland, America and Ireland. Recently, 12 silk paintings by the Adelaide artist were exhibited in Melbourne and Adelaide before going on tour in Ireland and America. This exhibition, Fire Woman Rising, celebrates the life and times of Brigid of Ireland. Brigid, who died in 525 AD, is a significant influence in Gail's life. In fact, the Brigidine tradition has played a major part in Gail's artistic and spiritual development.