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Meditating on the Dead Christ,
Painting by Giovanni Battista Crespi, il Cerano (1573-1632),
Oil on canvas,
209cm. high, x 156cm. wide,
Executed circa 1610
© Prado Museum, Madrid |
| Jesus said to his host, one of the leading Pharisees, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’ |
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| | Reflection on the Painting
Today is the Feast Day of Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584), Archbishop of Milan and also Cardinal. Together with St Ignatius of Loyola and St Philip Neri, he was one of the leading figures of the Counter-Reformation battle against the Protestant reformation. In that role he was responsible for significant reforms in the Catholic Church, including the founding of purpose built seminaries for the education of priests. His love for the arts prompted him to use art as a major tool to evangelise.
The Protestant Reformation almost entirely rejected the existing tradition of Catholic art. Rather than the Catholic Church changing it’s course and maybe toning down its love for art, Charles Borromeo saw the value in art and ‘turned it up a notch’ to really use art in the fight against the Reformation that was sweeping through Europe, continuing to encourage religious art to glorify God and the Catholic traditions, including the sacraments and the saints. So a lot of the art we look at here on a daily basis, is there thanks to St Charles Borromeo, St Ignatius and St Philip Neri. They understood the power of art, the message it can convey and its beauty which can bring people physically into the church buildings, closer to the tabernacle, closer to the presence of Christ. Beauty leading the way to bring people closer to God, and leading people into the mystery of our faith…
The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola had very much shaped Charles Borromeo’s own spiritual life. In the exercises, the founder of the Jesuit Order recommended that the faithful when reflecting and praying, put before them images of the Passion and the feats of the saints, and place themselves right in the middle of the Gospel scenes, so that they might flee sin. Charles used art to exactly help achieve that.
Prayer by Saint Charles Borromeo:
Almighty God, you have generously made known to man the mysteries of your life through Jesus Christ your Son in the Holy Spirit. Enlighten my mind to know these mysteries which your Church treasures and teaches.
Move my heart to love them and my will to live in accord with them.
Give me the ability to teach this Faith to others without pride, without ostentation, and without personal gain.
Let me realise that I am simply your instrument for bringing others to the knowledge of the wonderful things you have done for all your creatures. Help me to be faithful to this task that you have entrusted to me.
Amen.
by Patrick van der Vorst |  |
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