Saints Francis and Clare

St. Francis (1181-1226) is the great reformer and revivalist of the 13th century. He said, the world is my cloister, my body is my cell, and my soul is the hermit within. He founded nearly 25 hermitages in the tradition of semi eremitism but ventured forth to minster to the entire world. One of the miracles of St Francis was preaching to flock of birds that flew and surrounded him and were listening silently as Francis began to speak to them. This miracle impressed me more than others. I often see people gathering in old Cathedrals and all you can hear is them chatting and whisper and kicking and clicking. I always then think of those birds and St. Francis. Emphasizing on this miracle in the icon of St Francis I wanted to underline necessity of silence during prayer.

In 1224 St. Francis received stigmata’s which he had hidden from his brothers with his clothing. Humble and generous he still cried to God for being not worthy of His blessings.

St Clare (1194-1253) was inspired by St Francis and decided to live a monastic life more secluded and strict than normal female expressions of her day. In iconography, St Clare of Assisi is traditionally depicted as a nun dressed in dark attire holding a monstrance or a chalice. Less common there are images of her with the crucifix, the book, and the lily - a symbol of innocence and simplicity. St Clare is also portrayed in the circle of other Franciscan saints.