Image: Walters Art Museum, Baltimore
In August 2026, the presentation ‘Divine Inspiration’ will commemorate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s death.
The St. Francis Missal is an Italian manuscript dating to around 1200 and was acquired by Henry Walters.
Because of the manuscript’s possible contact with St. Francis, Franciscans worldwide consider it a relic of touch.
Every year, many Franciscans make pilgrimages to Baltimore to be in the Missal’s presence.
More than a dozen additional objects will contextualize the book, including manuscripts, paintings, and works made of glass, ivory, and ceramic.
The exhibition will also include details of the Missal’s two-year conservation in 2017.
‘Divine Inspiration’ was curated by Lynley Anne Herbert, Robert and Nancy Hall Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts.
As part of the global commemoration, Herbert will share research and conservation efforts on the St. Francis Missal and its impact on the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi.
