Saint Francis stands with open hands, bearing the wounds of the Crucified. Burning within his chest is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is the heart of the painting: Francis has become alter Christus, another Christ. Through his surrender to grace, the love of Jesus has taken flesh in him.
The stigmata make visible in his body the union that has transformed him from within. Christ’s own Heart burns in his breast, expressing the words of Saint Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Francis remains fully himself, becoming the man God created him to be through communion with Jesus.
His own words invite us into this same surrender:
“Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally!”
Saint Francis of Assisi, Letter to the Entire Order, 29.
This is the spiritual testament expressed in the painting: a life given so completely to Christ that His presence becomes visible. The open hands and luminous wounds reveal the fruit of that offering, while the Sacred Heart burning within Francis invites us to allow Jesus to live and love in us.
A beautiful Giclee Print on archival paper.
Saint Francis stands with open hands, bearing the wounds of the Crucified. Burning within his chest is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is the heart of the painting: Francis has become alter Christus, another Christ. Through his surrender to grace, the love of Jesus has taken flesh in him.
The stigmata make visible in his body the union that has transformed him from within. Christ’s own Heart burns in his breast, expressing the words of Saint Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Francis remains fully himself, becoming the man God created him to be through communion with Jesus.
His own words invite us into this same surrender:
“Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally!”
Saint Francis of Assisi, Letter to the Entire Order, 29.
This is the spiritual testament expressed in the painting: a life given so completely to Christ that His presence becomes visible. The open hands and luminous wounds reveal the fruit of that offering, while the Sacred Heart burning within Francis invites us to allow Jesus to live and love in us.
A beautiful Giclee Print on archival paper.
