Proceeds From Merchandise Sales to Help Send Youth to WYD in Madrid, Spain

Contact: Christine Schicker, 404-610-8871, CSchicker@MaximusMG.com

LOUISVILLE, Oct. 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- To celebrate the nine patron saints who will serve as heavenly guides for pilgrims at World Youth Day 2011, Goodness Reigns is debuting an original oil painting on the occasion of All Saints Day to commemorate next summer's international gathering of the young church and to raise funds for their travel to the upcoming event in Madrid, Spain.

"The Feast of All Saints Day is an appropriate day to release this painting as the lives of the saints, like art, can affirm one's faith and inspire us here and now in the ways of truth, beauty and goodness," according to Suzanne Haugh, director of Goodness Reigns.

Goodness Reigns will send up to 22 teen, young adult and adult filmmakers to WYD as part of its "Share the Story" short film contest on the Catholic faith. Anyone ages 14 and above may enter a short film on or before Jan. 10, 2011. Visit www.GoodnessReigns.com for contest details and for free registration.

Goodness Reigns commissioned Louisville, KY, artist David Schuster (www.davidoschuster.com), a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, to create a painting celebrating the Madrid event. The painting, entitled "Venite Adoremus, Dominum," depicts the nine patron saints of WYD, all of Spanish descent, looking down upon the hallmark procession of pilgrims to the site where the Holy Father will celebrate an evening vigil and the closing Mass. Amid the colorful array of flag-waving pilgrims from all over the world is a representation of the 500-year-old monstrance of Arfe, a resplendent example of Spanish metalwork that illustrates the value of art in liturgy and, most importantly, how Christ becomes present to us and moves among us in the Blessed Sacrament.

The nine patron saints for WYD 2011 include: St. John of the Cross, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, St. Isidore the Worker, St. Maria of the Head, St. Rafael Arnaiz, St. John of Avila, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Rose of Lima. For details on each saint, visit www.madrid11.com/en/camino/saints-and-patrons.

Recognizing the desire of some young people to attend WYD but who have severely limited resources, Goodness Reigns will offer merchandise inspired by the painting and earmark half of any revenue generated for the official fundraising campaign of WYD officials at www.muchasgracias.info. Twenty-five percent of proceeds will go toward GR contest prizes.

High quality reproductions of the 24"x36" oil painting, called giclees, are now available for order by visiting www.goodnessreigns.com/join-store.php. Other merchandise will become available in December.

For more information about Goodness Reigns or to schedule an interview with Suzanne Haugh and/or artist David Schuster, please contact Christine Schicker with The Maximus Group at 404-610-8871.