The Mass of Saint Basil,
Painted by Pierre Hubert Subleyras (1699–1749),
Painted in 1746
Oil on canvas, transferred from canvas
© The Metropolitan Museum, New York
The Mass of Saint Basil,
Painted by Pierre Hubert Subleyras (1699–1749),
Painted in 1746
Oil on canvas, transferred from canvas
© The Metropolitan Museum, New York
Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels
Matthew 18:1-5,10
The disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.’
Reflection on the Painting
Today we celebrate the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels. But what are angels? We speak a lot about angels and see them often floating around in paintings, but who are they? St Augustine says: “Angel is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is spirit; if you seek that name of their office, it is angel, from what they are: spirit; from what they do: angel.” It is a clear definition of something that is very hard for our minds to grasp.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church in nr. 350 can help us even more: “Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and who serve his saving plans for other creatures: "The angels work together for the benefit of us all" (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh I, 114, 3, ad 3)”.
One step further now. Why do we call them ‘guardian’ angels? Because we believe that they are assigned to watch over and protect individuals from harm, danger, and negative influences. They are thought to intervene in times of need to ensure the safety and well-being of the person they are guarding.
St Basil believed that by each believer an angel stands as protector and shepherd leading him or her through life. Our painting is Pierre Hubert Subleyras’s highly finished proposal, or modello, for his most important commission: a design that would be translated into an enormous mosaic altarpiece for Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. Subleyras depicts Saint Basil the Great (ca. 330–379) celebrating Mass in the presence of the Emperor Valentius (328–378). We see Saint Basil surrounded by angels whilst receiving the chalice, just before its consecration.
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There is very little attention given to children today. Nobody steps in anymore to discourage the blatant neglect and often cruelty towards them. The products are all around us. We allegedly have safeguarding persons in Church who seem to do little other than present as guardians for priests and others.
Seems rude to ignore today’s picture, but it doesn’t say much to me – except, in the bottom left there are two figures who appear to be lifting a heavy basket or piece of cloth containing bread. Their pose is very like some figures in the paintings of the Descent from the Cross….. so the bread recalling to us the Body of Christ….
Yesterday was busy, but had time to look at the wonderful Banksy, so very thought-provoking, the sort of image you are unlikely to forget…..once again, thank you Fr. Patrick.
Inderdaad zie je Valens´ vereiste broodgeschenken voor de communie, gebracht door figuren aan de linkerzijde.
Ik bewonderde ook meer de prachtige Banksy van gisteren.
Father Patrick dank u wel.
“for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.’”
Hmmmm… likewise Noelle, I can’t ignore todays piece/Gospel, but this, simply because one of my main spiritualities involves what I call “Childisity”. And I agree, as glorious as this ‘Western’ depiction of the more Eastern Saint of Monasticism is, it somehow pales in relation to the Eastern Icon of this most venerable figure in ancient Ascetical life. ( I found a YouTube depiction of St Basil’s Icon today, complete with Eastern Chant – most sublime and almost diametric to the spirit of Subleyras’ work).
Alas, having a vague memory of the piece in St. Peter’s I’m sure it does invite awe and reverence, especially in the 17 c European ‘enlightened mind’. The question is – re: the truly ‘iconographic’- does it also touch the Heart?
In my last entry I related, re: the Feast of the Archangels, a ‘vision’ of very LARGE and towering depiction of ‘an angle’ – in the ‘hard’ so to speak. Again, the renaissance depiction of pudgy feathered decapitated naked floating baby as angle has always brought a smile to my lips. Is this somehow supposed to attest to Jesus’ reference in todays Gospel text to their greatness?
“Childisity”:
Following on the GREAT spirituality of “The Little Way” yesterday, I think Dr. St. Therese would have been nonetheless inthralled with todays piece when she made her famous visit to St Peter’s with her venerable Father. I can just see her running to catch his large old hand and drag him over to the mosic: “You see Papa!” point up at the little child in blue toting the bread for St. Basil to bless – at the end of the Byzantine liturgy, ” … that’s me, THAT’S me in the presence of our Heavenly Father”.
Lovely reflection Father. I love icons too and have had one painted (I believe there is a special term used for making an icon) by a Romanian artist for my grand-daughter’s christening. St Helena.
Comments seem to fizzle away at the end of the day on CA so I don’t know if anyone will read this!
Yes, still here! … Is your icon ready yet? – a wonderful gift. Think I mentioned ours, painted by a Bulgarian friend, of the Madonna and Child Jesus.
Yes Chazbo.. I’m A night owl.. a beautiful personal gift for your granddaughter
Many people question the existence of angels and devils. My take has been that if Jesus acknowledges their existence who am I to say otherwise. My Guardian Angel please watch over me, guide me, pray for me, and protect me.
Exactly, Andy, Jesus speaks of them, which seems a pretty good testimony to their existence.
At primary school, we said this prayer at the beginning and end of every day:
Angel of God,
my Guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here.
Ever this day (night) be at my side
to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.
Yes, we did too. I’d forgotten about it until you quoted it.
Hi Patricia
We said this little prayer as well from an early age here in the states (Maryland) and passed it along to our children. Thank you for the wonderful reminder ( I always thought my parents made up the prayer themselves!)
Love this prayer!
Lovely!
Amen!
If only we could trust our heavenly Father the way a child trusts its parents! I hate it when doubt creeps in…. Yes, we have to grow up and be wise as serpents, harmless as doves, but when we’ve done all we can, with our earthly resources, we need to have faith, and trust that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the angels who are entrusted with our care, will watch over us, and guide us.
Doubt is natural, it shows we have an enquiring human mind. And no, we don’t have to switch our brains off to have a childlike faith. Childlike means be simple and pure and being uncynical. More later but I’m on the phone to Boots – waiting!!!
Good luck with that, I’ve been on the phone for nearly an hour trying to get an app downloaded- grrr!
A lot of definitions in the church are human ideas rather than anything else, I’m not aware of any biblical definition of an angel . Augustine making a statement does not make it so but it is an acceptable definition! I think being like a child simply means being able to accept faith without question which goes against all adult behaviour.
Children mostly accept and believe anything that adults tell them. As an adult it is a wrestling match as it means accepting something that has no proof and even sometimes seems just plain silly.
I too have had some close shaves, and if my guardian angel has intervened and tapped me on the shoulder then I am eternally grateful !🙏
Morning Thimas; well, somebody was looking our for you, that’s for sure😊 thanks be to God.
I know that wrestling match only too well, and I’d like it to stop…
“Children mostly accept and believe anything that adults tell them. As an adult it is a wrestling match as it means accepting something that has no proof and even sometimes seems just plain silly.“
I think one of the important functions of childhood is that it is a time for learning, for enquiring and for questioning. Only very young children accept everything they are told at face value, as they grow older and understanding develops they (should) question more and search out the truth, using their minds and reason.
As an adult, I am prepared to suspend disbelief when I read a novel, or watch a film or a T.V. programme, but that’s fiction: I don’t want to be required to suspend disbelief in matters spiritual.
Doubting Thimas!!
😂
I am in a hurry this morning. I must be out early. Reading and thinking has brought me to a place of memory so I will share the words of this hymn I was taught as a child. My dear mother and my older siblings would sing it to me, and I in turn passed it on to my younger ones, and my children and grandchildren as they went to sleep.
‘Guardian angel from heaven so bright
Watching beside me to keep me aright
Fold thy wings round me
Surround me with love
Softly sing songs to me of Heaven above
Beautiful angel my Guardian so mild
Tenderly hold me
For I am thy child.’
I am missing my mum today, she had the most lovely, natural singing voice. I also know at least a couple of times my guardian angel has saved my life. I am very grateful for all those blessings I received as a child. Not everyone is so fortunate.
This hymn has been running round my head for the last week or so, ever since started getting angels in the art. Another memory from primary school! But I seem to remember about four verses, and slightly different words.
May your mum rest in peace.
Thankyou Zeffi- both my parents had extraordinary faith. I like to think they have attained their heavenly reward, if not there is scant hope for me!
I am glad you also remember this hymn- we probably sang it at school too. There maybe verses I have forgotten, and maybe the words have been changed by memory- which isn’t too reliable these days. Either way it came into my head and brought back very happy recollections.
What a lovely beautiful hymn. It is new to me. Thank you for sharing. I know my Guardian Angel has certainly protected me.
I always think of angels as messengers of God, as the Greek word άγγελος (angelos) means messenger. That is an excellent translation of the Bible. Can anyone tell me which one it is?
Are you thinking of the Bible passage that Father has used? I would think he would use the Catholic Douai version although many people love the Protestant King James version. Though it does sound a little archaic now.
Though unequalled for its rhythms!
One of the corner stones of the Anglican faith. Thomas Cranmer had a wonderful command of the English language and it’s a big part of what makes the Church of England English…
Together with Shakespeare, Cranmer shaped the English language, roughly up to WWII. Lots of changes since, including the death of the adverb!
It is the Jerusalem Bible Alys.
We are to make ourselves like children? That’s quite a thought. I can see that we should be free of artifice, honest, straightforward, easy to read, affectionate, joyful, and I’m trying to think of other childlike qualities that would be desireable in an adult. But as adults we have to take on some of the burdens of this life, both for ourselves and for others that need help through along the way.
I’m thinking directly onto the screen – we should be childlike but not childish!
I can offer some more; love, trust and need. For me these are the childlike qualities I try to emulate in my relationship with the Father. Your final sentence says it though, and of course Saint Paul commented on leaving all those childish things behind too!
Good! The attributes that you list.
Now why did St Paul have to go and say that? More conflicting messages. However, I feel that Christ is telling us to just accept all he says.
How many times did we ask our own mother/father “Why” – and the answer always came back “…because I said so” 😊
I see no conflict. I think Paul was referring to growing in the Spirit, a very necessary thing- but spiritual growth also demands that we gain a state of humility and trust too.
👍👏👏
Tightrope?
👍👏👏