Two artists

Today is the Feast of the Dominican Blessed Fra Angelico (1387-1455, originally named Guido di Pietro), one of the most celebrated artists in history.  ‘Fra Angelico is probably better known as an artist than as a holy man who was already called “Beato” while he was still alive. Pope John Paul II gave this a new reality when he beatified him in 1982, observing that “He did theology by painting the beauty that shows the light of the Risen Christ in creatures”.  After his novitiate at Cortona he went to live at the Dominican convent at Fiesole. As a young friar, he worked at illuminating missals and manuscripts. In 1436 Fra Angelico was one of a number of the monks from Fiesole who moved into the newly-built monastery of San Marco in Florence. This not only put him in the centre of artistic activity but also engaged the patronage of the wealthy and powerful Cosimo de’ Medici, who often came there himself when he wanted to retreat from the world.  According to his biographer Giorgio Vasari (1511-74), it was at Cosimo’s urging that Fra Angelico undertook the task of decorating the monastery, including the magnificent Chapter House fresco, the often-reproduced Annunciation [recorded on thousands of Christmas cards in modern times], the Maesta with Saints Cosmas and Damian, Saint Mark and Saint John, Saint Lawrence and three Dominicans, Saint Dominic, Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Peter Martyr.’ [text taken from the ‘Catholic Ireland website]  I don’t normally put pictures in my blog, for the very practical reason that if I started the practice I would really struggle to find a relevant picture every time, but I can’t resist reproducing Fra Angelico’s instantly recognisable Annunciation as an illustration of this painter’s glorious art. I am at the same time reminded that our St John of the Cross was also an artist, but apparently when he fell our of favour with the authorities in the Order, I have read that many nuns were frightened into destroying anything he had given them in the way of artistic works. But of course he has left us his poems .....

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Theresa K, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Marie

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

Mark – brain infection

Michael – youngster with occult influences

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

RIP Roy Seymour, Richard Parker, Joy Smith OCDS, Dr Alan Rodgers