Newly Commissioned Icon Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Beatification
A new icon of Blessed Karl of Austria was commissioned by the Emperor Karl League of Prayer USA / Canada in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Beatification of Emperor Karl (October 3, 2004 - October 3, 2024).
The icon titled The Peace Emperor shows Blessed Karl amidst a plane of tranquil blue, symbolic of the Beatific Vision he now contemplates. He is depicted as a devotee of the Sacred Heart and a tireless advocate of peace. Emperor Karl appears in his familiar blue military tunic and a furred winter coat. Together, the tunic and coat speak of his formation and the virtues of courage and fortitude needed to resist evil in every form.
In his left hand, he cradles a bouquet of flowers, reminiscent of those frequently given to him and Empress Zita by devoted crowds. Hungary’s national flower—the Tulip— and Austria’s national flower—Edelweiss—collectively represent the diverse empire and peoples under his loving care. The wedding band he wears recalls his devotion to Our Lady, as both his and Zita’s rings were inscribed with the line from an ancient Marian hymn, “We fly to thy protection, O Holy Mother of God.”
The entire image is framed by an olive garland, symbolic of peace, sacrifice, health, and healing. Emperor Karl was willing to employ martial force to safeguard the good of his people, but always sought and strove for peaceful resolution. At the bottom of the frame is the Latin name plate, Beatus Imperator Carolus—Blessed Emperor Karl. At the top is the cross and crown of thorns from the Gebetsliga emblem—a reminder of the League’s important work as the official promoter of Emperor Karl’s Cause for Canonization.
The icon was painted by Matthew Conner, a sacred artist residing in Tennessee. Utilizing traditional techniques and approaches, his corpus of sacred work blends the stylized and the realistic, offering bold, new images rooted in the Church’s iconographic tradition.
Icon Plaques Available!
Icon plaques of Blessed Karl are available in our online store by clicking the link below.