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In celebration of Francis and Clare | 
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pathways, October 2009
2009 marks the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Franciscan movement by Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226) and of his first encounter with Clare.
In 1209, Francis first gathered a group of followers around him, to live a life committed to the Gospel and evangelical poverty. Not only did he establish in 1209 a community of friars minor or 'little brothers', but he also attracted the attention of Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), daughter of a prominent noble family. In 1212, Clare escaped from a marriage planned by her parents, to join Francis and the community that he sought to establish.
They lived in a society divided by religious zealotry and the fear of heresy, a situation confronted by their disciples and devotees across the centuries to the present day.
Interpretation across the centuries November 19-21 The Arthur Boyd Tapestries of St Francis of Assisi November 2 - December 4
Interpretation across the centuries
A conference celebrating the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Franciscan movement will bring together in Melbourne internationally distinguished scholars and exponents of the Franciscan/Clarist way of life.
Interpreting St Francis and St Clare in a multi-religious society: from the middle ages to the present will be held at Yarra Theological Union, Box Hill, from November 19-21.
It will explore the many different ways in which their message has been interpreted across the centuries, within medieval Europe as well as more recently in Australia, Egypt, and Ireland.
Plenary speakers will include
Jacques Dalarun of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris; former director of medieval studies at the Ecole française de Rome and a Visiting Professor at the Franciscan Institute of St Bonaventure's, New York, author of many publications including The Misadventure of Francis of Assisi (2002), Francis of Assisi and the Feminine (2007), Francis of Assisi and Power (2007), Robert of Arbrissel: Sex, Sin and Salvation in the Middle Ages (2006);
Michael Cusato OFM Dean of the School of Franciscan Studies at St Bonaventure's University, New York; author of numerous studies on early Franciscan thought and its apocalyptic context, including The Stigmata of Francis of Assisi (2006), co-authored with Jacques Dalarun;
Maurice Carmody Nelson, New Zealand; author of two books on the history of the Franciscan order, including The Franciscan Story: St Francis of Assisi and his influence since the thirteenth century (London: Athena Press, 2008); holder of the Chair of Franciscan History at the Franciscan University of St Anthony in Rome for 15 years and a regular visiting lecturer in Franciscan studies in Singapore, Italy, Ireland and the United States;
Briege O'Hare OSC Ireland; who will speak about a new interpretation of the Poor Clare way of life introduced to bandit country in Ireland.
The conference will open on Thursday, November 19, with a free public lecture In the eyes of each other: Clare and Francis of Assisi by Jacques Dalarun, in the Frewin Room, St Mary's College, 871 Swanston St, Parkville. Presented in conjunction with the Allen & Maria Myers Academic Centre, St Mary's and Newman Colleges, the lecture will be held from 5.45-7.15pm.
In November and early December at the chapel of Newman College, there will be an exhibition of the St Francis Tapestries by Arthur Boyd, on loan from the National Galley of Australia. [SEE BELOW] They can be viewed prior to the public lecture from 5-5.30pm.
Jacques Dalarun will also participate in a postgraduate advanced training seminar, Trends, Methodologies and Resources in Studying Medieval and Early Modern Religion and Spirituality, on Thursday, November 19, from 10am-4pm at The Carmelite Library, 214 Richardson St, Middle Park.
Interpreting St Francis and St Clare in a multi-religious society: from the middle ages to the present will be supported by NEER [Network for Early European Research], the Australian Province of the Franciscan Order, and the Institut de Recherche et d'Histoire des Textes, Paris.
 The Arthur Boyd Tapestries of St Francis of Assisi
the Chapel of the Holy Spirit Newman College, 887 Swanston Street, Parkville November 2 - December 4 open 10am-5pm Monday - Friday (to 8pm Thursdays); weekend opening times will vary.
free entry
This is an exhibition of a group of tapestries on the life of St Francis of Assisi designed by the Australian artist Arthur Boyd. The tapestries, lent by the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, were produced by the Portuguese Workshop, Manufactura Tapecarias de Portalegre, 1972-4, under Boyd's supervision. The exhibition will be the first time the tapestries have been exhibited as a group.
In association with the exhibition, a lecture series will be held on three Thursday nights in November ...
Thursday, November 5, 5:45 - 7:15pm the Oratory, Newman College
Dr Ursula Betka and Margaret Pont: Saintly Identity in Medieval Art and the Tapestries of Arthur Boyd
This joint session will present the Boyd tapestries against the background of the medieval origins of Saints Francis and Clare.
Ursula Betka (La Trobe University) will examine some of the ways in which these saints were represented in public art in the years immediately following their deaths.
Margaret Pont, author of Arthur Boyd and Saint Francis of Assisi (Macmillan Art Publishing, 2004 - available for purchase at the exhibition), will demonstrate how Boyd's interpretation, while based on the medieval legend, expresses the issues that appear elsewhere in his art, including sexuality and aggression as well as sacrifice and love.
Thursday, November 12, 5:45 - 7pm the Oratory, Newman College
Dr Sue Walker: Australian Artists and Tapestry - From Assisi to Parliament House, Canberra
A remarkable collaboration between a great architect, a great artist and 13 weavers of the Victorian Tapestry Workshop lay behind the creation of the monumental tapestry that hangs in Parliament House, Canberra. Said to be the second largest tapestry in the world and regarded today as a national icon it took five years from first discussions to final installation. Sue Walker, foundation director of the Victorian Tapestry Workshop, will tell the story of this great work and explain its significance for the emerging tapestry industry in Australia.
Thursday, November 19, 5:45 - 7:15pm the Frewin Room, St Mary's College, 871 Swanston Street, Parkville
Professor Jacques Dalarun (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris): In the eyes of each other: Clare and Francis of Assisi [SEE ABOVE]
bookings: phone 03 9342 1614 or email agehrig@academiccentre.stmarys.newman.unimelb.edu.au Top of page
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