The afternoon calm is filled with absolutely unusual shades of color. I look at the painting of Fra Angelico and I feel as if it's the end of Advent, which it is today. Angelico knew how to paint her. She is slender, immensely noble, and does not rise to meet the angel. Mother, make me as real as this painting. Truly, to the bottom of my soul, real. May I have no thought that could not kneel before you in this painting… It is the end of Advent and the afternoon is fresh with expectation. … She is here and has filled the room with something uniquely her own, too pure for me to appreciate. She is here with the tone of her anticipation.
(Thomas Merton /1915–1968/, diary entry from December 23, 1949)
