The Miracles of St. Francis Xavier - Peter Paul Rubens (1577 - 1640)

"Christian iconography expresses in images the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words.  Image and word illuminate each other."   CCC 1160

The Miracles of St. Francis Xavier - Peter Paul Rubens 

Diplomat, businessman and devout Catholic, Peter Paul Rubens was most notably a painter.  The Miracles of St. Francis Xavier, oil on canvas painting, was commissioned by the Jesuits in Antwerp for their church, now known as the St. Charles Borromeo Church.  The painting depicts some of the many miracles worked by Saint Francis Xavier during his missionary work in Asia.

Saint Francis Xavier was born in the Castle of Xavier near Sanguesa, in Navarre (now Spain) in 1506.  He made his vow to the newly formed Society of Jesus in 1534, receiving Holy Orders with St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1537.  After his ordination he was sent to the East Indies to begin his ministry of evangelization.  Wherever he went, he lived with the poorest of people and ministered to their sick.

Saint Francis Xavier is shown here in black robes, one hand pointing upward to heaven and the other reaching outward in blessing to two men who are miraculously rising from their grave.  Others around him suffering from many afflictions await their miracle. In the background, Mary, Queen of Angels, leads a heavenly force in toppling a Hindu idol.

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Picture Source - Wikipedia
Location - Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna Austria
The Role of Religious Art in Faith Formation Index 

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