Catholic Fire

Today is a special day for me and my community. It is the feast of Blessed Fra Angelico . Bl. John of Fiesole, popularly known as Bl. Fra Angelico, was a Dominican painter in the mid-fifteenth century known for the beauty of his paintings and the holiness of his priestly life. Nicknamed “Angelico” by his brothers, his Dominican consecration and life are worthy of imitation as he preached Jesus Christ by his life, his words, and his paintings. Given the name Guido at Baptism, this saint was born near Vicchio, in the vicinity of Florence, at the end of the 14th century. From his youth he practiced the art of painting. Having entered the Dominican convent in Fiesole, he was given the name Brother Giovanni (Brother John). After ordination he held various responsibilities, one of which was that of prior of the convent in Fiesole. Faithful to the promises he made as a Dominican, to preach the Gospel after having contemplated it in prayer, Fra Angelico put his creativity at the disp...

Christ Glorified in the Court of Heaven Blessed Fra Angelico 1428-30 Tempera on wood National Gallery, London 834 - This day was declared to be All Saints’ Day by the Catholic Church. 1512 - The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel , painted by Michelangelo , is exhibited to the public for the first time. 1946 - Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II , was ordained as a priest .