St. Francis of Assisi had a big impact on the world of religion. He formed the Franciscan order of monks and was an advocate of living with Christ as the ultimate, and immediate, example. I didn't know about him until college, perhaps, when I heard reference to his various prayers.
I also encountered him in a movie that I like very much - Stigmata. The first time I saw it, I was somewhat appalled, somewhat intrigued. It seemed sacrilegious, and yet...it started me on the road to seeing Truth and Beauty in film. Though the apocryphal book The Gospel of Thomas plays a significant role in the movie, which immediately turns off most conservative Christians, I think there are elements of truth that can be gleaned. I don't take it as Gospel. But as an appreciator of literature and the Bible as the Word of God, I can see both truth and beauty in the text of the Gospel of Thomas.
How does Stigmata relate to St. Francis. In the movie, the final scene takes place in a garden with a life-sized statue of St. Francis nearby. This morning, I found out that St. Francis received the stigmata during one of his meditations in 1224 (the year). Thus the tie in the movie, thus the tie in this post.
Francis is the patron saint of many things, among them: animals, birds, the environment, and peace. You'll see his statue, with birds alighted on his arms and shoulders, in gardens because of this role. I've always wanted a statue of St. Francis--despite the fact that I don't garden, nor do I have a garden--because its presence is a reminder of goodness, of peace and harmony with nature. And I do love animals, birds, and Nature.
Celebrate St. Francis today. October 4th is His day!
1 comment:
Thanks for your blog on St Francis. Wes and I have been reading a great book about him (fo the last year) called "The Lessons of St. Francis" by John Michael Talbott. Pretty challenging lifestyle.
Rita
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