From the Chaplain

The fresco reproduced above is perhaps the most famous work of the Dominican artist Blessed John of Fiesole (c. 1395 – 1455), better known as Fra Angelico. His images have been in the last few newsletters. He lived in the Convent of San Marco, Florence from 1436 – 1445, which was later home to another famous Dominican, Girolamo Savonarola.

This convent had as its patron Cosimo de’ Medici, the famous Italian banker and politician, whose family would go on to have great influence in the life of Florence. In fact, Cosimo de’ Medici had his own personal room in the Convent. The Dominicans asked him to fund a restoration of the Convent, and, in doing so, he commissioned Fra Angelico to decorate the Convent with his art.

The above image depicts the Annunciation of an angel to Mary, a moment recorded in the Gospel of Luke (Chapter 1, verses 26 to 38). In this scene, the Archangel Gabriel visits the Blessed Virgin Mary to tell her about God’s plan to send his Son, and that she is to be his mother. Mary’s famous answer, known as her fiat (meaning in Latin ‘let it be done’), is “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”

Although it is sublime in its simplicity, there are a couple of interesting things to note about this work of art. For example, while Mary casts a shadow, the Archangel Gabriel does not. Mary has a body, since she is simply a human being, while Gabriel, being an angel, has no body and therefore casts no shadow.

Also, the Archangel Gabriel, even though he has come from highest heaven to greet Mary, tellingly bows to a lower point than her; this signifies that Mary, by becoming the Mother of God, has been raised to a higher dignity even than the highest angels, and has become the most noble of God’s creatures. Later on, the Church will give her the title Queen of Heaven and Earth, which is remembered in the fifth decade of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. A simple human being, a mother, has been raised by God above all other creatures.

It is especially apt to reflect on this scene now, since Sunday is Mother’s Day. By choosing to join us in our humanity, God chose to have a mother, and in doing so he showed the exceeding dignity of motherhood. On this occasion, let us give thanks for our mothers, and pray for all mothers, that they be supported in their vital contribution to society; let us also give thanks to God, who gave us a gift which was so good, he wanted one for himself!

Fr Matthew Boland OP

CHAPLAIN