Visio-Novena: Art, Reflection and Prayer with St. Francis

Day 1; Beginning with the End in Mind

St. Francis in Meditation
by Francisco Zubaran, 1630’s

Francisco Zubaran was a 15th century Spanish artist who created work for religious orders in Seville, Spain.  His painting on St. Francis in Meditation shows a Francis in his patched habit holding a skull in his left hand while his right is on his chest.  Skulls were a common fixture in meditation during the medieval period.  The method of meditation in that era usually starts with the idea of death which Francis called Sister Death.  The gaze of Francis goes out of the frame which Zubaran contrasts with light, producing a sharp intensity.  Zubaran captures Francis gazing upwards while clasping the skull.  While Francis in this picture may have begun his meditation with the idea of death, his focus has soared higher beyond the skull he is holding.  

Whatever captures his gaze, the effect on his facial expression depicts intense yearning and focus.  Many scholars like Augustine Thompson, O.P. points out how the last two years of Francis’ life became extremely difficult for him, physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually (p.117).  So many adverse events have taken place in the order he had  founded and this painting suggests that part of his life.  Here, Francis has only a skull and that compelling force behind his gaze to make him take one more step to complete a mission by whose direction may not even be clear to him.  Yet, despite this abject poverty and painful struggle something sacred and positive comes out, “You are our Hope; you are our Faith; you are our Charity.  You are all our sweetness.”  

Zubaran in his intense poetic creation opens a wide door for reflection for his viewers.  Whatever it is for each viewer, the yearning in Francis’ face is hard to dismiss.  Yearning for Francis marks his prayer.  Yearning of the heart points to a vision and goal and Francis begins his journey with the ultimate end in mind –“My God and my All.”  

We yearn out of desire, out of distress, out of joy or out of love.  It’s the best gift that we carry with us when we offer ourselves in prayer.  It promises peace, hope love and faith.  

Resources:

Thompson, A., OP (2012).  Francis of Assisi: a new biography.  Ithaca: Cornell University Press.  

Novena Prayer (from St. Anthony’s Guild Novena) 

Heavenly Father, You know all things and nothing is hidden from You.  In your mercy and kindness. and through the intercession of St. Francis, come to my aid and in my present distress grant my humble petition (your request). Amen