A 12th-century manuscript believed by Franciscans to have been consulted by St. Francis of Assisi during a pivotal moment in his life has gone on display in the American city of Baltimore. Rarely exhibited because of its fragility, the St. Francis Missal is at the centre of a new exhibition marking the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death.
The exhibition, Divine Inspiration: The Legacy of the St. Francis Missal, is now on view at the Walters Art Museum and runs until February 7, 2027. It brings together the Missal with 18 other objects exploring the place of Francis and his early followers in medieval and Renaissance art.
“St. Francis was one of the most frequently represented saints in Medieval and Renaissance art, and the Walters is fortunate to have a number of exceptional artworks that feature him and his early followers, among them St. Clare of Assisi and St. Anthony of Padua,” said Lynley Anne Herbert, Robert and Nancy Hall Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts. “But there is no question that the St. Francis Missal is the star of this show, directly connecting an artifact from St. Francis’ life to his longer impact and influence. We look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to be in the presence of this special work.”
A manuscript linked to St. Francis
Photo courtesy Walters Art Museum
The St. Francis Missal is a 12th-century liturgical book containing the texts, prayers, chants, readings and ceremonial directions required to celebrate the Mass. Franciscans believe the manuscript is a relic of touch of St. Francis of Assisi.
According to early biographies written by those who knew Francis, in 1208 he and two of his followers were debating what God’s plan for them might be. Unable to decide, they went to the church of San Nicolò in Assisi in search of an answer.
Francis opened a book on the altar three times at random. Each time, the text on the page urged the renunciation of earthly goods. The episode became a pivotal moment in Francis’s life and helped lay the foundation for the Franciscan order.
Over the past century, research by Franciscan scholars has supported the belief that the St. Francis Missal at the Walters was the book consulted by Francis and his companions. An inscription chronicling the book’s creation for the church of San Nicolò and mentioning its patron, Gerard of Ugo, offers additional evidence for its history.
Conserving the St. Francis Missal
St. Francis Missal Folios 166v–167r Italy (Assisi), ca. 1200 Ink and paint on parchment. Acquired by Henry Walters
Centuries of use eventually took a toll on the manuscript’s delicate binding. By 2015, its condition had deteriorated to the point that it was too fragile to open or exhibit to the public.
The following year, conservation staff at the Walters began a two-year project to restore and stabilise the Missal. The work was carried out in the Walters Conservation Lab, the third-oldest museum conservation laboratory in the United States, with funding from the Mellon Foundation.
The Missal has since been repaired and stabilised and was also digitised for the Walters’ manuscript website, Ex Libris. The new exhibition includes details about the conservation work and the efforts required to preserve the manuscript.
Because manuscripts such as the St. Francis Missal require careful management of light exposure and display time, the book cannot be exhibited frequently, making the current exhibition a rare opportunity to see it in person.
St. Francis in medieval art
Photo courtesy Walters Art Museum
The Missal is displayed alongside several other works connected with Francis and the early Franciscan movement. Among them is a rare 14th-century diptych containing relics of several Franciscan saints, including Francis and Clare. Each is accompanied by a portrait and an inscription identifying the relic.
An early manuscript depicting St. Francis preaching to animals alongside St. Clare is also on display. Visitors looking closely at the image will notice that Francis’s face has been damaged. According to the Walters, this was likely caused by devotional touching or kissing while the manuscript was in use during the 14th century.
The exhibition also examines Francis’s influence beyond the Middle Ages. An oil painting by El Greco depicts the saint experiencing a direct vision of Christ, demonstrating his continued importance as a subject for artists.
“The St. Francis Missal is one of the most significant and most-requested works in the Walters Art Museum’s world renowned rare books and manuscripts collection,” said Kate Burgin, Director and CEO of the Walters. “This exhibition reflects the museum’s ongoing commitment to ensure this extraordinary collection is accessible to our communities and conserved for future generations.”
Divine Inspiration: The Legacy of the St. Francis Missal commemorates the 800th anniversary of Francis’s death on October 3, 1226. The Walters will also hold two curator-led public tours on St. Francis’s Feast Day, October 4, along with additional programmes connected with the exhibition.
The exhibition is on view at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore through February 7, 2027. Click here to learn more.
A 12th-century manuscript believed by Franciscans to have been consulted by St. Francis of Assisi during a pivotal moment in his life has gone on display in the American city of Baltimore. Rarely exhibited because of its fragility, the St. Francis Missal is at the centre of a new exhibition marking the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death.
The exhibition, Divine Inspiration: The Legacy of the St. Francis Missal, is now on view at the Walters Art Museum and runs until February 7, 2027. It brings together the Missal with 18 other objects exploring the place of Francis and his early followers in medieval and Renaissance art.
“St. Francis was one of the most frequently represented saints in Medieval and Renaissance art, and the Walters is fortunate to have a number of exceptional artworks that feature him and his early followers, among them St. Clare of Assisi and St. Anthony of Padua,” said Lynley Anne Herbert, Robert and Nancy Hall Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts. “But there is no question that the St. Francis Missal is the star of this show, directly connecting an artifact from St. Francis’ life to his longer impact and influence. We look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to be in the presence of this special work.”
A manuscript linked to St. Francis
The St. Francis Missal is a 12th-century liturgical book containing the texts, prayers, chants, readings and ceremonial directions required to celebrate the Mass. Franciscans believe the manuscript is a relic of touch of St. Francis of Assisi.
According to early biographies written by those who knew Francis, in 1208 he and two of his followers were debating what God’s plan for them might be. Unable to decide, they went to the church of San Nicolò in Assisi in search of an answer.
Francis opened a book on the altar three times at random. Each time, the text on the page urged the renunciation of earthly goods. The episode became a pivotal moment in Francis’s life and helped lay the foundation for the Franciscan order.
Over the past century, research by Franciscan scholars has supported the belief that the St. Francis Missal at the Walters was the book consulted by Francis and his companions. An inscription chronicling the book’s creation for the church of San Nicolò and mentioning its patron, Gerard of Ugo, offers additional evidence for its history.
Conserving the St. Francis Missal
Folios 166v–167r
Italy (Assisi), ca. 1200
Ink and paint on parchment. Acquired by
Henry Walters
Centuries of use eventually took a toll on the manuscript’s delicate binding. By 2015, its condition had deteriorated to the point that it was too fragile to open or exhibit to the public.
The following year, conservation staff at the Walters began a two-year project to restore and stabilise the Missal. The work was carried out in the Walters Conservation Lab, the third-oldest museum conservation laboratory in the United States, with funding from the Mellon Foundation.
The Missal has since been repaired and stabilised and was also digitised for the Walters’ manuscript website, Ex Libris. The new exhibition includes details about the conservation work and the efforts required to preserve the manuscript.
Because manuscripts such as the St. Francis Missal require careful management of light exposure and display time, the book cannot be exhibited frequently, making the current exhibition a rare opportunity to see it in person.
St. Francis in medieval art
The Missal is displayed alongside several other works connected with Francis and the early Franciscan movement. Among them is a rare 14th-century diptych containing relics of several Franciscan saints, including Francis and Clare. Each is accompanied by a portrait and an inscription identifying the relic.
An early manuscript depicting St. Francis preaching to animals alongside St. Clare is also on display. Visitors looking closely at the image will notice that Francis’s face has been damaged. According to the Walters, this was likely caused by devotional touching or kissing while the manuscript was in use during the 14th century.
The exhibition also examines Francis’s influence beyond the Middle Ages. An oil painting by El Greco depicts the saint experiencing a direct vision of Christ, demonstrating his continued importance as a subject for artists.
“The St. Francis Missal is one of the most significant and most-requested works in the Walters Art Museum’s world renowned rare books and manuscripts collection,” said Kate Burgin, Director and CEO of the Walters. “This exhibition reflects the museum’s ongoing commitment to ensure this extraordinary collection is accessible to our communities and conserved for future generations.”
Divine Inspiration: The Legacy of the St. Francis Missal commemorates the 800th anniversary of Francis’s death on October 3, 1226. The Walters will also hold two curator-led public tours on St. Francis’s Feast Day, October 4, along with additional programmes connected with the exhibition.
The exhibition is on view at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore through February 7, 2027. Click here to learn more.
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