ROME - The Museum of Rome has put on an exhibition of 93 volumes of St Franciscan literature from the Sacred Convent of Assisi. The exhibition, which seeks to tell the Franciscan way of thinking and life, is running from Oct.2 to Jan.6.

 The protagonist of the exhibition, St Francis, was an Italian mystic, poet, and Catholic friar who founded a religious order, which takes his name – the Franciscans. St Francis was inspired to lead a Christian life of poverty, being a beggar and a preacher. He is perhaps most known globally for his writing.

 He is considered to be the first Italian poet by some critics, with his famous Canticle of the Sun. Indeed, it is this 800-year-old work which sits at the focal point of the exhibition. Speaking at the press release for the event, Friar Marco Moroni, the custodian of the Sacred Covent of Assisi, described the work as having “a sensitivity, a loving look at nature and that through nature thanks God and praises Him.” 

 The exhibition begins with images of nature projected onto a wall, to transport you to 13th century Umbria, where you will then begin an extraordinary journey through the exploration of 93 manuscripts of the Franciscan Amanuensi. 

 The exhibition consists of nine different sections, each displaying a specific aspect of Franciscan thinking and belief. The nine sections are titled: Encyclopedic knowledge; Astronomy; Mathematics and Optics, Physics; Medicine, Anatomy, and Surgery; Alchemy; Plants, Animals and Men; The Canticle of St Francis; Bible, Theology and Philosophy. 

 These sections allow the visitor’s journey to be one that can explore both the spiritual and philosophical thinking of the Francescan Order, mixed with their consideration of scientific, natural, and astronomical reflections. This journey is accompanied by multisensory audio and videos to full immerse yourself in the exhibition and truly understand the world of St Francis.

 There are also touchscreen devices placed next to the books to allow further exploration by visitors.  

 The mayor of Assisi, Stefania Proietti, who contributed to the loan of the 93 volumes has stressed the importance of the exhibition and the Franciscan message.

 She said that: “The importance of this project is enormous: the text of St Francis represents a praise to nature, but it also proposes scientific themes as well as prayer: these three levels of medieval but also modern man are put on display together with Franciscan knowledge.” Proietti continued that the Franciscan message represents “a necessity for our future, but also for our present. Today it is essential to defend our common home, as Pope Francis also reminds us.”  

 tjpw