That poor man of Assisi

What is a relic of St Francis of Assisi doing at the National Art Gallery? A relic is an object of reverence belonging to a deceased holy person. What’s happening? The relics are part of an art exhibition on Saint Francis of Assisi until July 30, 2023, at the National Art Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London. And it’s absolutely FREE!

The Element of Surprise

I was surprised to learn a new façade of Saint Francis of Assisi’s legacy – a major influence on Western European art since the 13th century. The webpage offers a clear purpose, “Presenting the art and imagery of Saint Francis (1182–1226) from the 13th century to today, this exhibition looks at why this saint is a figure of enormous relevance to our time due to his spiritual radicalism, commitment to the poor, and love of God and nature, as well as his powerful appeals for peace, and openness to dialogue with other religions.“ There is a lot in the above statement relevant to our times.

The Humble Garment of St Francis of Assisi

One of the prominent exhibits is the habit believed to be worn by Francis himself. The humble garment, now patched up over time, is the symbol of Francis’ religious radicalism. The simplicity of the long gown of the monk is a powerful weapon against the vices of the flesh and attachment to the cross. The display frame looks more ornate, but a Catholic monk’s faded brown torn dress is priceless for a devotee, art collector and the Franciscan Order. What will its value be for a secular-minded, often anti-religious, selfie-clicking tourist?

How did St Francis use a Valuable Gift?

Another important item on display is a Horn with Rods. Saint Francis used the bell to gather people for preaching. With the batons, Francis imposed silence among the congregation of listeners. According to tradition, the Sultan gave the horn to Francis after their encounter to safe passage back to the crusader camp. It has become the symbol of interreligious dialogue with the Muslims.

Something I failed to see as Spiritual Art

Stanley Spencer (1891-1959) has a painting of a man wearing a bathrobe and slippers leading a gaggle of hens and ducks down a sunny path. At first, it looked funny, but the artist’s motive was a sincere regard for Saint Francis manifested in Briton in the 1920s. The scene is set in Berkshire, not Umbria. As the exhibition promo text states, “From some of the earliest medieval panels, relics and manuscripts to modern-day films and a Marvel comic, the exhibition shines a light on how Saint Francis has captured the imagination of artists through the centuries, and how his appeal has transcended generations, continents and different religious traditions.“ St Francis has a pervasive influence in the world.

That Poor Man from Assisi

Pope Francis took the same name – il poverello (poor man) of Assisi. The pontiff has echoed the spiritual radicalism of Saint Francis again and again. Recently, the pope stated that “the message of Saint Francis of Assisi remains remarkably timely in our own day, marked by a thirst for spiritual wisdom, a more just and fraternal society, and a renewed covenant with the earth, our common home.“ Saint Francis has a fatal attraction – inspiring “Christians and non-Christians, pacifists and environmentalists, those who campaign for social justice, utopians and revolutionaries, animal lovers and advocates of human society.“

A Different Frame of Reference

People visit or view religious objects with a frame of reference. What a pilgrim may regard as an object of veneration, a tourist will pop up and click a selfie in front of a portrait of the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, being totally oblivious to the theology, controversy and conflict in a religious ambit. Tourist tends to regard the mystical as magical. But Francis is an archetype of a holy man living in a habit, even if one is unacquainted with it.

When was the last time you went out of a Church setting to see stuff that was primarily designed for veneration?

About the Author

Feroz Fernandes, a Catholic Missionary, identifies himself as an Uncommon Priest. Father Feroz loves adventure in the apostolate. Check out his debut book The Uncommon Priest: Incredible Stories You Never Read on amazon. And also, the YouTube Channel: Feroz Fernandes promotes a better understanding of scripture.