Calumny - The Word of the Day!

"We are all sinners; all of us. We all commit sins. But calumny is something else. It is of course a sin, too, but it is something more. Calumny aims to destroy the work of God, and calumny comes from a very evil thing: it is born of hatred. And hate is the work of Satan. Calumny destroys the work of God in people, in their souls. Calumny uses lies to get ahead. And let us be in no doubt, eh?: Where there is calumny, there is Satan himself. "

"We pray to Our Lady to protect us, and in times of spiritual turbulence the safest place is under the mantle of Our Lady. She is the mother who takes care of the Church. And in this time of martyrs, she is the protagonist, the protagonist of protection: She is the Mother. (...) Let us state with faith: Mother, the Church is under your protection: Care for the Church. '"  - Pope Francis 4/15/13

 

 

Calumny (Slander) - by BOTTICELLI, Sandro - from Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence . . . . . (Click painting to enlarge)

 

In this painting there is a representation of King Midas (bad Judge), with ass's ears, listening to the false words of  Ignorance and Suspicion. In front of them, standing, is Malice (hooded man) who holds Calumny by the wrist.    Calumny is dragging the slandered  by the hair while Envy and Deceit ( Fraud) comb her hair with ribbons  and flowers. Behind this group is the hooded figure of Remorse (Penitence), who turns to look at the naked figure of   Truth. Truth, like Innocence, is naked as she has nothing to conceal.