Mother of Mercy

by Helen Elwes

My name is Helen Elwes and I studied Fine Art at the Ruskin in Oxford and did a post graduate at the RA Schools in the 80's.

I'm a professional artist & have exhibited widely.

In recent years I have felt despair about the climate and ecological emergency the world is now facing and the inaction of governments worldwide.

As an artist I have tried to express my grief for what we are doing to our precious planet in my work.

In 2019 I took part in the April and October Extinction Rebellion uprisings in central London & was asked to create an art installation / shrine for 'Faith Bridge' in October 2019.

My banner 'Mother of Mercy', painted for XR Faith Bridge, is a contemporary 'Madonna della Misericordia' set in a landscape destroyed by fire with the burning rainforest in the distance.

Mary kneels with her blue cloak outstretched protecting the Tree of Life and the praying figures and endangered animals who take refuge beneath it.

Above her head are the words : 'Mother of Mercy - Pray For Us

I painted it as a modern Icon but have made it in the form of a banner to bring it out into the world as I feel this message is so urgent.

She has seen a lot of 'active service' since the October Rebellion, most recently in June 2021 on a 4 day pilgrimage to Carbis Bay for the G7 protests and in the autumn on the 'Camino to Cop' multi faith pilgrimage to Glasgow for COP 26.

Mother of Mercy - Helen Elwes

Mother of Mercy

Mother of Mercy - pray for us, for all your children who suffer.

For God’s beautiful and fruitful earth,

which we have plundered and abused.

For the glorious and diverse creatures

whose habitats we have carelessly destroyed

and who are now facing mass extinction.

For the great forests which are burning,

our living oceans which we have polluted,

the air we breathe which we have made toxic.

For the polar ice caps rapidly melting

because we have dangerously warmed this precious planet

through our ever expanding industry and thoughtless greed.

Mother of Mercy -

we are destroying our only home

and now face a catastrophic climate crisis

which will cause unimaginable suffering to future generations

and is already devastating your poorest children in the global south.

Loving Mother of Mercy -

Please forgive us and come to our aid.

Protect us and all God’s creatures, the vulnerable and suffering,

who take refuge under your all surrounding cloak.

Touch the hearts of the powerful elite

who exploit the earth for profit and let the poor suffer.

Awaken their minds and consciences to the climate

and ecological emergency which we all now face.

Guide our world leaders to listen to the scientist’s urgent warnings

and act now before it is too late.

Beloved Mother -

Give us the courage to stand up for God’s holy and beautiful world

and protect it against the forces who would destroy it.

Give us the strength not to hate or despair,

but to act and speak peacefully

and with love for all your suffering children.

O Mother of Mercy and Compassion -

Pray for us at this