This icon, created by Desmond M Kyne, presents with all the power of symbols and colour what bare words can do only very inadequately. Nano Nagle was a woman of the world in the best and truest sense. She was involved with people, yet totally absorbed in prayer for large parts of the day. Her life was spent totally for those who were genuinely deprived, needy and disadvantaged.

To communicate the eternally present relevance of Nano's message and example, the artist has chosen a youthful image of Nano to occupy the central panel which is vibrant and alive with colour. The spiral motif behind her head is, as in Celtic times, a symbol of eternity, and it captures Nano's love of the God within who compels her to mission. To her right the arm of the crucified Christ is pictured in a protective gesture, and the spiritual power coming through Christ is overshadowed by the wings symbolising the Holy Spirit. The image of the Sacred Heart in the centre of the icon, the heart on fire, symbolises Nano as a woman with a passionate love of God.

Nano's hands are depicted just above the river Blackwater at Ballygriffin where Nano experienced the great elements of nature, the sun, the earth, the waters and the hills. In the left hand side of the icon, however, the valley of the Blackwater is gloomy under the repressive influence of the penal laws, the sad situation of Irish Catholicism known first hand to Nano.

At Nano's feet is a group of children surrounding a lamb, the Lamb of God, with buildings representing the city of Cork to either side. The areas of the Southgate and Northgate Bridges were the centre of Nano's apostolate to children, many of whom in those days in Cork were exploited and disadvantaged. By contrast with the deprivation and gloom of the penal days the bottom border of the icon depicts some of the more beautiful abstract symbols and ornamentation from the Golden Age of Irish art and learning.

In the left hand panel at the top we see the Christ, whom Nano contemplates in the Eucharist, is the same Christ whom she meets in the poor and "heart speaks to heart". This is followed by a scene in which a tiny cramped window illuminates a room, suggesting the poverty-stricken conditions of the cabin schools. Beneath that is a poignant reminder of the condition under which the people of Ireland lived in penal days. Nano appears in consultation with her formidable uncle Joseph Nagle in the next section. Joseph gave Nano a great deal of encouragement and support. Below that Nano is depicted caring for the sick, perhaps the hallmark of her life. Her care was always for those who were deprived, poor, old or lonely. This aspect of her apostolic life is shown in the next panel where she is seen moving through the dark streets of Cork with her lantern.

In the right hand section of the icon at the top is represented the Presentation of Our Lady, a favourite title under which Nano prayed to the Mother of God. The central panel on the right shows the four founding sisters standing by the well of living water. The Holy Spirit descends bearing the heart of Christ, and beneath them an acorn is falling to the ground; the seed is planted, and the oak, symbol of the Presentation Sisters, spreads its shelter to the entire world. Rays from the sun, illuminate the sisters, suggesting the on-going influence of Nano amongst her spiritual family, and her relevance for today and the days that are to come.

(Adapted from Heart Aflame by Miceal Ledwith and Desmond M Kyne)