A strong man is a man of prayer, which is exemplified in this classic American-Catholic picture. The iconic cowboy is normally seen as someone tough who can hold his liquor in a saloon, or weight in a gunfight. However, this silent scene shows the viewer that same ruggedness but with a Catholic touch – devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary!
At first, all the viewer notices is a typical western scene. Then slowly comes the realization that there are little rosary beads hanging from the clasped hands of the cowboy. This image, originally created by D. Smith, is a must for every western setting.
