In the Thirteenth Century, the Blessed Virgin Mary began to be  portrayed sitting in majesty, serving as a seat for the Christ Child.  This posture is called Sedes Sapientiae or Seat of Wisdom.  Mary, here is the Theotokos, Mother of God as she was proclaimed at the Council of Ephesus in 431.

This is the Henry De Rosen mural over the altar of the Lady Chapel at Saint John’s.  Living with this world class art collection is, without doubt, one of the greatest privileges of my life.

JWS