A new icon inspired by a St Francis of Assisi hymn has become a striking symbol of faith, artistry and environmental awareness in Western Sydney. Source: Catholic Outlook.
The icon, inspired by The Canticle of the Creatures, was unveiled following a special Mass and community celebration at the Franciscan Good Shepherd Parish in Plumpton on May 18.
The gathering brought together Franciscan friars, sisters and lay members from across Australia. The event marked two significant anniversaries: the 800th year since St Francis of Assisi composed his hymn of praise to creation, and the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’s encyclical on care for our common home.
At the centre of the gathering was a hand-painted, nine-panel icon created by Melbourne-based iconographer Sr Mary Burke FMM. She travelled to Plumpton with fellow sisters from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary for the occasion.
“Icons are really from the Eastern Rites of the Church, but they’re becoming much more popular in the West,” Sr Mary said.
“They have a depth to them, and a prayerfulness that people hunger for.”
Describing her latest creation as “a visual song”, Sr Mary described how the piece took shape through prayer and artistic discernment.
Painted using traditional egg tempera and gold leaf, the icon incorporates uniquely Australian touches – including a kangaroo, a platypus, and a fairywren – to ground the message of the canticle in the local context.
“The words surrounding [St Francis] are the beginning words from the Canticle. Each of the other pieces highlights the different verses of the Canticle celebrating parts of creation and the human condition,” Sr Mary added.
For her, the icon’s purpose goes beyond beauty.
“It’s to really invite us into reflecting on what our relationship with the Earth is,” she said.
“We’re in a time where it’s a big challenge for us as a society throughout the world – how we treat the Earth and how we’re mistreating the Earth.
“The icon invites us into a deeper relationship.”
FULL STORY
Franciscans unveil Icon celebrating creation and 10 years of Laudato Si’ (By Belinda Gadd, Catholic Outlook)
