Walters Art Museum Illuminated Manuscripts
The St. Francis Missal, Initial "F" in form of lion, Walters Manuscript W.75, fol. 180r
Known today as the St. Francis Missal, this manuscript is traditionally believed to be the very book consulted by St. Francis and his companions in 1208. According to early accounts, St. Francis and two followers were debating what God’s plan for them might be. Unable to decide, they sought answers at the church of San Nicolò in Assisi, which Francis often attended. They opened the Missal, which sat on the altar, three times at random and in every case, the text on the page urged renouncing earthly goods. This pivotal moment laid the foundation for the Franciscan order. An inscription in the book on fol. 166r lends support to the legend that surrounds it, for it documents the Missal's creation for the church of San Nicolò, and also mentions the book's patron, Gerard of Ugo, who is documented in Assisi in the late 12th century. Due to its possible contact with the saint, Franciscans worldwide consider it to be a relic of touch, and every year many make pilgrimages to Baltimore to be in its presence, and to see the three places they believe Francis opened the manuscript to (fols. 119v-120r, 132v-133r, and 249v-250r). The manuscript underwent intensive conservation from 2017-2019, a special project made possible by the Mellon Foundation.
To explore fully digitized manuscripts with a virtual page-turning application, please visit Walters Ex Libris.
The St. Francis Missal, Initial "F" in form of lion, Walters Manuscript W.75, fol. 180r
Known today as the St. Francis Missal, this manuscript is traditionally believed to be the very book consulted by St. Francis and his companions in 1208. According to early accounts, St. Francis and two followers were debating what God’s plan for them might be. Unable to decide, they sought answers at the church of San Nicolò in Assisi, which Francis often attended. They opened the Missal, which sat on the altar, three times at random and in every case, the text on the page urged renouncing earthly goods. This pivotal moment laid the foundation for the Franciscan order. An inscription in the book on fol. 166r lends support to the legend that surrounds it, for it documents the Missal's creation for the church of San Nicolò, and also mentions the book's patron, Gerard of Ugo, who is documented in Assisi in the late 12th century. Due to its possible contact with the saint, Franciscans worldwide consider it to be a relic of touch, and every year many make pilgrimages to Baltimore to be in its presence, and to see the three places they believe Francis opened the manuscript to (fols. 119v-120r, 132v-133r, and 249v-250r). The manuscript underwent intensive conservation from 2017-2019, a special project made possible by the Mellon Foundation.
To explore fully digitized manuscripts with a virtual page-turning application, please visit Walters Ex Libris.