ASM's Patron Saint:
Blessed Fra Angelico
HOW OUR PATRON CHOSE US
It is said that sometimes we choose our patron saints, and other times they choose us. Ryan Everson, our executive director and composer, feels the latter was the case in determining the patronage of Angelico Sacred Music. Like Ryan, Blessed Fra Angelico received his artistic training prior to entering consecrated religious life, where he so perfectly modeled how to balance his primary vocation as a Dominican with his secondary vocation as a sacred artist. For this reason, Ryan feels a profound spiritual friendship with this holy man, and he prays for his intercession every time he begins composing.
By the help and inspiration of Blessed Fra Angelico's patronage, Ryan operates ASM in a theocentric manner that allows him to put his primary vocation as a diocesan seminarian first, and to fit his secondary vocation as an artist in its proper, God-given place.
HIS SPIRITUALITY
Blessed Fra Angelico is the only renowned Renaissance painter to be beatified (declared a "Blessed" on the way to sainthood) by the Catholic Church. He made his art into an act of prayer, giving glory to God with every stroke of the paintbrush. It is said that his motto was, “He who wishes to paint Christ's story must live with Christ.” It was this humble, prayerful attitude and his extraordinary sacred art which show forth his simple holiness.
HIS LIFE
In 1420, young Fra Angelico entered the Dominican order, exchanging his personal career as an independent artist for a life devoted to God as a Dominican Friar. His artistic talent did not go to waste as a humble monk. Rather, he was able to glorify God through his artwork, and we still admire his beautiful paintings today.
At first, Fra Angelico served his monastery by painting missals and other holy books. Later, he began painting commissions for Dominican friaries, and eventually he frescoed chapels in the Vatican Palace per request of the Pope.
Fra Angelico’s frescoes are simple, yet they lead the viewer to a greater love for God. His remarkable talent led Pope St. John Paul II to say that Fra Angelico’s paintings are his miracles.
In a humble, prayerful way, Fra Angelico made a huge contribution to the great Sacred Art of the Church. He died while working in Rome.
Fra Angelico was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II in 1982. In 1984, the Pope declared him the patron Saint of Artists. His feast day is February 18.
"He who wishes to paint Christ's story must live with Christ."
-Blessed Fra Angelico
Blessed Fra Angelico: The Adoration of the Magi. Photo credit: Public domain
Blessed Fra Angelico: The Annunciation
Blessed Fra Angelico: The Adoration of the Magi. Photo credit: Public domain