Monday, August 15, 2011

Fractio Panis


What you see above is a painting from the Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome.  It dates back to around 250 AD, and is entitled Fractio Panis (The Breaking of the Bread).   

A friend of mine from high school was recently ordained to the priesthood, and used this image for the prayer card for his ordination.  

I was struck by the simply beauty of this image.  You may notice that the individual features of Christ and the apostles are nearly indistinguishable.  But, what stands out are the postures of the individuals.  They appear to be deeply engaged in conversation, and intimate in friendship.  

This painting stems from the heart of the Christian persecutions in Rome, and portrays the intense hope that comes from a relationship with Christ.  It is certainly worth examining this image, and pondering what the early martyrs went through and how closely they must have clung to Christ.

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