«One single word, worn out, yet shining like an old coin: “Thank you”!» In this way, Pablo Neruda reflects and makes us reflect on gratitude and the importance of saying thank you.
Ex votos, objects donated to express gratitude, trace a history of thankfulness that seems to stretch a thread between earth and heaven; let us learn more about them.
Why ex voto?
The name ex voto derives from the ellipsis of the Latin expression “ex voto suscepto”, “according to the promise made,” and is usually a formula placed on objects offered in shrines to thank the recipient of the gift (God, the Virgin Mary, a saint...) for answering a prayer and granting a grace.
The meaning of the offering
There are many types of ex voto because what defines them as such is not the object itself, but the fact that it is donated. Certainly, asking for grace or healing during an illness is one of the main reasons for offering an ex voto, but many circumstances of daily life can inspire this offering: for example, accidents or all kinds of difficulties... In such cases, human beings cry out to heaven for help and then, when heaven responds, return to give thanks, just like the leper who returned to thank Jesus after being healed: «One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice; and threw himself at Jesus’ feet to thank him. He was a Samaritan. But Jesus observed: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”» (Lk 17:15-18).
The story: between devotion and art
Ex votos, particularly paintings, have been a widespread form of devotion since the 1500s. Initially, this devotional practice belonged to the wealthier social classes, but it later spread to the less affluent as well.
The creators of ex votos also include artists of great renown, such as Raphael: he painted the Madonna of Foligno in 1512, now displayed in the Vatican Museums. It is considered one of the highest forms of ex voto art and tells of the grace received by its patron, Sigismondo dei Conti, who was spared from being struck by lightning that fell on Foligno.
It is beautiful to rediscover ex votos as a way of saying thank you!
Raising our thanks to heaven reminds us that we are beloved children of a good Father who cares for us!
Discover our “gallery” of votive hearts and choose the one you like best to send your thanks and make sure it reaches heaven!
