By Jessica Easthope
NEW YORK — Nearly 800 years after it was written, Adoro Te Devote, a medieval prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas, continues to inspire.
The prayer recently touched the hearts of two artists, leading to the creation of a new silk scarf design for Litany NYC, a Catholic-inspired brand.
The scarf, created by painter Erin McAtee, weaves together symbolism and spirituality.
“Working on this scarf drew me into a deeper prayer,” McAtee said. “With an image that connected deeply to my personal and embodied experience.”
McAtee and Litany’s co-founder, Veronica Marrinan, have been friends for years.
Their shared faith and creative vision prompted them to collaborate professionally last summer.
McAtee, also the executive director of the nonprofit artist collective Arthouse2B, found that working with Marrinan brought new dimensions to her artistic process.
“Artists often work alone, but it’s such a gift to work with a friend who understands the spiritual significance of what I’m sharing,” McAtee said.
The Adoro Te scarf features a mother pelican, a traditional symbol of sacrifice in Christian art, feeding her young—a symbol paired with a Eucharist at the center.
McAtee added phrases from her prayer journal to enrich the design further.
“This experience of meditating on the pelican through hands-on creation, using watercolor and drawing, was incredibly healing,” she shared.
For Marrinan, the design stands out for its blend of art and overt spirituality.
“I wanted this piece to feel special and look like an artwork, which it is,” she said.
The scarf debuted on Litany NYC’s website in August, selling over a dozen in just a month.
It’s part of a larger cultural movement among Catholic women who are seeking distinctive ways to express their faith, including veiling during Mass.
Litany NYC’s designs reflect the artists’ belief in God’s transformative power.
“It’s about how the scarf and the inspiration behind it can deepen the wearer’s relationship with God,” McAtee added.
For a closer look at Litany’s designs, visit their website at litanynyc.com.