Capturing the Gravity and Grace of St. Francis of Assisi on Stage: A Meditation on Word and Image

Abstract

For twenty-five years I have been surrounded by images of St. Francis. His portrait hangs over the altar at the University of St. Francis chapel here in Joliet. Tapestries of him and Clare drape the walls of our campus. Nearly everyday, I have passed a statue of Francis as I cross our quad on the way to teach my classes on Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature. Francis stands in his brown robe, looking down, belt rope hanging from his waist, left hand, clutching a cross, held slightly in front of him. He studies the cross as his right hand points to his chest. Until recently, I had never really given these images much thought. But in the past year and a half, they have begun to take on more meaning for me. I have begun to pay attention to them and the particular scenes of Francis they depict, and I find myself contemplating the messages they try to convey about our patron saint.