Celebrating St Francis of Assisi

 

Arthur Boyd 

Today is the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, the legendary patron of the environment, animals, Church reform, anti-capitalism, non-violence, and Christian naturism.

 To celebrate I offer two Australian  contributions to the iconography and musical tradition that has celebrated "il Poverello"

 The image I feature for this feast is St Francis and Ruffino Naked in Assis.  This is from the lithograph collection of  Arthur Boyd

 I love this imagery as almost all the iconography of St Francis has him robed. However, it was his dramatic and theatrical stripping of his clothes and handing them back to his father that is one of Catholicism's least appreciated ritual acts of commitment. And I suggest that this provides a good patronal model for Christian naturists.

And the musical contribution  for today's feast comes from Peter Kearney Songs. Good Morning Good People - Short History of a Long Project Peter's account of how his musical-narrative on the life of St. Francis of Assisi, came to be written over many years and eventually be performed at venues in Australia, Ireland and the U.K. Five pages. 94.9 KB

Francis Hears The Gospel