May 30 Saint Ferdinand/San Fernando Rey -CA Mission

 Saint Ferdinand III, King of Castile and Galicia-Leon (Spain)

An outline of his life and accomplishments:

1199 Born at the monastery of Valparaíso near Salamanca

Parents: King Alfonso IX of Leon and Berengaria, daughter of King Alfonso III of Castile/granddaughter of Henry II of England/sister of Blanche the mother of Louis:

St. Louis, King of France, was his first cousin

1217 Became King of Castile at age eighteen

1219 Married Elisabeth of Hohenstaufen, known as Beatrice, daughter of King Philip of Swabia, Germany; Had eight children: seven princes and one princess. (Two additional girls died in infancy.)

1221 Began construction of the Cathedral of Burgos.

1225 For twenty-seven years he crusaded against the Saracen Moors in Spain. He refused to burden his people with an exorbitant war tax, saying: “God will not fail me, and I fear more the curse of one poor old woman than the whole army of the Moors.”  His sword was named Lobera

1230 Became King of Galicia-Leon, upon the death of his father

1233 Captured the town of Ubeda.

1236 Took back Cordoba from the Moors

1237 Married Joan of Ponthieu after the death of Beatrice. Became Count of Aumale and later, Count of Ponthieu.

Daughter Eleanor married King Edward I of England

1243 Founded the University of Salamanca

1249 Drove the Moors from Seville

Re-conquered all of Andalusia, except for Granada.

Austere in his piety, he was devoted to penance and religious exercises (like wearing a hairshirt) and joined the Third Order Franciscans.

1252 Died on May 30^th, at age fifty-three and was buried in the Seville cathedral in the habit of a friar minor (OFM).

His eldest son Alfonso X succeeded him on the throne.

1671 Canonized a saint

 A man of great faith and devotion, especially to Our Lady, Ferdinand founded and funded hospitals, bishoprics, monasteries, and churches. He reformed Spanish law and compiled it into a form used for centuries after. An excellent administrator and just ruler, often pardoning those who worked against the crown. Strove always to use his power to better his people and his nation.

St. Joan of Arc was also Third Order Franciscan!

Mission Saints Tribute at Incarnation Church

I stumbled upon this bit of mission iconography at Incarnation Church in Glendale the other day. Right there on the front of the church, facing Brand Blvd. Most parishioners probably enter through the side doors, especially coming off the parking lot or the side street and might not be familiar with these two sculptured figures. I do not usually use the front doors, but I took another look at them when walking by, and the crowned individual especially caught my attention.

In the other figure, I could easily recognize Gabriel and his horn, despite there not being any wings. Certain songs came to mind, such as the African spiritual “Blow Your Trumpet, Gabriel” or “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” from Cole Porter’s Anything Goes.  Dressed in a long robe, he also holds a small book, marked with a Marian monogram of SRM-Salve Regina, signifying he is the messenger in the Annunciation.

As a part of the story of the Incarnation, it is very appropriate to be represented on a church so connected with the Annunciation. After all, the stained-glass window above them on this wall of the church depicts the Annunciation to Mary. As an Archangel, one would assume that he is with Michael. That Archangel usually holds a sword and perhaps a shield and is known as the Prince of the Heavenly Host. However, consider the iconography of Michael: his Sword is usually drawn or up-raised, his shield typically contains a cross, and although he is known as a prince, he might be shown with a small diadem or simple headband (not a full kingly crown!).

Instead, this is King Ferdinand of Spain! The two local California missions are San Fernando Rey and San Gabriel Arcangel! Ferdinand’s sword is shown behind a shield, with three fleurs-de-lis on it, associated with royalty. A more peaceful stance while still signifying he was a warrior. He wears a full crown and headdress. This parish church in Glendale sits somewhat equidistantly between the two original mission churches of this area, and the choice of sculpted figures depicts that history. They pay tribute to the missionary origins of the Catholic faith in California. 

 

May 24/25 Dedication of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

While we are talking of church buildings, of note to our ongoing exploration of Franciscan spirituality is the church in Assisi, Italy, that holds the tomb of Francis. It is a multi-level structure with the lower church built over the tomb and an upper church. A third crypt level was added to access Francis’s tomb.  A 5.5 magnitude earthquake and a brutal aftershock tore holes in the ceiling of Assisi's Basilica of St. Francis in 1997, requiring major restoration work.

28 episodes from the life of Francis are illustrated by Giotto and his school in a series of frescoes that adorn the Upper Church. Numerous other works of art can be found throughout this sacred space, and the accompanying museum contains several relics and artifacts from the life of Francis and the development of the Franciscan Orders.