No One Blooms Alone

Every brushstroke of the painting below was a prayer for the Roses of Hope’s Garden. I began this piece several months ago after a rather emotionally intense Domestic Abuse Support group. I am grateful that technology allows me to minister to hurting women all around the world but how my heart longs to be with them face to face. Painting is often the way I process and pray and on this particular day, I was drawn to my studio immediately after signing off of Zoom.

The canvas was already sitting on my easel with the blue background. As I stood before it with tears in my eyes, I thought of Mama Mary’s mantle and envisioned white flowers showering down upon it.

I started painting simple pure white flowers and as the canvas begin to fill, I heard the words, “No one blooms alone” on repeat in my mind. Such peace enveloped me and I knew Jesus and Mary had heard not just my cries but the cries of all their wounded Roses. She is enfolding us all in her mantle of comfort and protection and we are never really alone. The certainty that they are working to make all things well calmed my mind and comforted my heart.

I hope that sharing the story behind this painting will comfort you and remind you of Our Lady’s message to St. Juan Diego and all of us…

“Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need anything more? Let nothing else worry or disturb you.”

copyright 2026, Laura Ercolino

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