This work is from a series on patrons of Catholic churches. Artist Tim Langenderfer has been reaching out to Catholic parishes at Ramesh’s behest and asking if they would like to have a painting of their patron saint with accompanying prayer cards provided by Ramesh. The parish would also receive a high quality giclée of the original to be hung in the church building.

Tim made the choice to create these portraits in the style of icons, but with a more modern approach. He was influenced by the symbolism and use of color in thankga paintings of the Eastern faiths.

Padre A'Plas is not yet the patron of a church. While engaged in the process of creating portraits, Tim became aware that Fr. Stanley Rother, called Padre A'Plas by the people he served, was beatified by the Catholic church on September 23, 2017 as the first American-born martyr and the first American-born Catholic priest to be so honored. Advocates will continue to place his cause for sainthood before the church. The process could take decades.

The term, "Blessed", is given by the Church to an individual whose cause for Sainthood has been properly presented, and to whom a miracle has been attributed in intercession to God. One more miracle must be proven and attributed to that person before Sainthood is declared by the Vatican.