Inauguration of the exhibition dedicated to Brother Francisco at the General House

An exhibition in honour of the first Marist Superior General, Brother Francisco, was inaugurated on February 10, in the Champagnat Room of the General House. The exhibition, organized by the General Postulator of the Institute, Brother Guillermo José Villarreal Cavazos, aims to promote the life and work of Brother Francisco, whose canonization process is underway. Present at the inauguration were the author of the 8 portraits of Br. Francisco, Br. Ángel Ignacio Martínez, and the former postulator, Br. Antonio M. Estaún, a profound knower of Br. Francisco’s biography. The inauguration was also accompanied by the Superior General, Brother Ernesto Sánchez, the general councillors, the brothers and lay people of the General House. The exhibition will be open to the public until April.
Opening the event, Brother Guillermo, Postulator General, said: “Br Francisco, along with others, is a Marist model for deepening our spirituality. His life shows us Marist spirituality and relationship with God. He can testify to us what Marcelino wanted from us.”
In his speech, the Superior General, Brother Ernesto, spoke about the mystical dimension of Brother Francis’ life, and said that “he is the best heir of Champagnat’s charisma.”
During his participation, Br. Ángel Ignacio Martínez, author of the paintings, spoke about his works and said that his inspiration began in 2019 while he was taking the “Ongoing Formation Program” at the General House: “I entered the office of Br. Antonio (postulator at the time) and observed that there were some posters of Br. Francisco (on the occasion of the peregrination Pilgrimage with Brother Francisco), and I asked: “can I contribute something?” The Postulator replied: “just do it and we’ll see it.” And in response, Brother Ángel made 8 canvases of Brother Francisco, which are now on display.
In his speech, Br. Estaún valued the works of Br. Ángel, and mentioned that: “his work is a new contribution, especially due to the description of the context in which he places the figure of Brother Francisco. And therefore, his hand as an artist adds to the effort to publicize the little-known facets of the figure of Br. Francisco.” “For the action he took as superior of an important religious association, and also as a spiritual person who has left us abundant writings, he deserves to be studied for himself and to be better valued than he has been up to now”, expressed Br. Antonio, highlighting the figure of Br. Francisco, his fame for holiness and his virtues.
Referring to the characteristics of the portraits of the First Superior General, the author of the paintings said: “I have kept his broad forehead. His entrances in the front. His hairstyle, vintage French style. The pronounced eyelids and his fixed gaze. The lower curve of his nose, like when he was young. His lips a little tight. His chin pronounced, and mentum strong”.
At the end of the inauguration, Brother Guillermo invited everyone to visit the exhibition located in the “corridor of the Superiors General” and ended by saying that: “We commemorate the brothers who are models of holiness for us, through the witness of their life of faith and passion for the Gospel.” (Constitutions and Statutes 50.7)

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In the General House there are three permanent works of art, dedicated to the memory of the First Marist Superior General, Br. Francisco: (1) a painting in the corridor dedicated to the superiors general, (2) a mural in the room of the first floor, next to the Champagnat chapel, and (3) another painting on the left side of the door of the superior general’s office.

Also in the Brasil Centro-Sul Province there is a commission of researchers of the Marist Historical and Spiritual heritage, which published in 2017, a book on the first superior general, entitled: “Mística, sabedoria e autoridade no século XIX. Estudo sobre o irmão Francisco primeiro Superior Geral dos irmãos Maristas”.

Likewise, a few years ago artistic works have been presented that reveal the facets of the little-known personality of Br. Francisco: The brother and ecology, his relationship with the sick people, his knowledge of pharmacy and his dimension as an educator.