Mission Santa Barbara

THE MISSION'S STORY BRIEFLY TOLD

	SANTA BARBARA MISSION
	FOUNDED DECEMBER 4, 1786 PRESENT CHURCH COMPLETED 1820 DESTROYED BY EARTHQUAKE 1925 RESTORED 1927 & 1953

	SANTA BARBARA MISSION
	HAS BEEN DESIGNATED A
	REGISTERED NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
	UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE HISTORIC SITES ACT OF AUGUST 21, 1935 THIS SITE POSSESSES EXCEPTIONAL VALUE IN COMMEMORATING AND ILLUSTRATING THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
	U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
	NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
	1961

WORKS OF ART

	Saint Francis of Assisi
	This nearly life sized painting of St. Francis shown him standing on clouds, his head almost at the very top of the canvas. The head is beautifully painted, with strong modeling and a fine understanding of structure. The color is good. The expression is sensitive without being sentimental. This might be an original Spanish work, and is perhaps the best painting of St. Francis in the mission collection. It belongs to the realistic school of Ribera in Spain and of Paez and Leal in Mexico. St. Francis keenly felt the terrible tragedy of the life of Jesus, in that Jesus, the incarnate love of God, was not accepted as such by most of His own people. Francis was seen wandering in the woods near Assisi one day, weeping, crying out that Love was not loved. For this reason, he is often depicted in art holding a crucifix.

	Saint Bonaventure (1221- 1274)
	At the age of 17, Bonaventure began studies at the University of Paris. He joined the Franciscan Order and became a friar in 1243. He taught theology and philosophy at the university for many years. He was a prolific writer, producing theological texts and biblical commentaries. His theology reflects a number of distinctive elements. As a Franciscan, he was deeply aware of the presence of God in creation. He maintained that a creative tension exists between God who lives within us and God who is beyond us. Bonaventure also sees that humanity and God are united in Jesus Christ. The City of Ventura and Ventura county are named for him.

	Saint Francis of Assisi (1182 - 1226)
	This large canvas is a very good work, but unfortunately badly damaged in the earthquake of 1925. It represents St. Francis kneeling in prayer. The head is strongly modeled, with a fine strong nose, deep set eyes, and prominent cheek bones. The general character of the work suggests Valdes Leal, a Spanish painter, who was one of the most original exponents of painting in his time (1630-1691). St. Francis, a deacon, is one of the best loved saints of the Church. He was known for his intense love of God who reveals himself in the beauty of creation. He was a famous preacher and talented poet. In the year 1224, he received the wounds of Christ in his own body, and it therefore usually depicted with the stigmata.

	St. Anthony of Padua (1191-1231)
	The saint is depicted dressed in the brown-grey habit of the Observant Franciscans. It is a companion piece to the paintings of St. Bonaventure and St. Francis in the next room. Like the painting of Bonaventure, the face is very young , but rather effeminate in its deliniations and softness. The infant Jesus is well painted, and very similar to the late type found in some Murillos. This is a good painting, although it lacks character. St. Anthony was born in Lisbon and became a Franciscan missionary in North Africa to convert the Moslems. Illness forced his return to Europe, and he became a famous preacher in France and Italy. He was known as the "wonder worker of Padua" for his many miracles. He is the patron saint of the poor, of pregnant women, and of travelers. He is also invoked for aid in finding lost articles. Because of his outstanding knowledge of scripture, he is called the Evangelical Doctor.

	Christ Child and Saint Anthony
	This is a most unusual piece for a mission collection. It is done in the late Byzantine style which was virtually never used in colonial Mexico. It is probably of Southern Italian origin. It likely arrived here in the mid to late 1800's, with a friar who served as a missionary in the Holy Land and who travelled through Italy on his way to California. Media: tempera and oil on wood.

	Philippine Crucifix (18th century)
	This rather primitive style crucifix displays a good deal of baroque styling in the twisted body and bloody wounds of the Christ figure. It may have been fitted with a wig at one time, strengthening the emotional impact of contemplation before the suffering of Christ. It was common in mission times to have church goods and supplies made in the Orient, as the Philippine Islands were part of the Spanish Empire and a considerable amount of shipping was carried on between Mexico and Manila. These ships, called the Manila Galleons, passed along the coast of California.

Courtyard Garden

Interior of the Church

St. Francis of Assisi. Born 1182 AD. Died 1226 AD. St. Francis was poor only that he might be Christ-like. He loved nature as a manifestation of God's beauty. He did penance that he might be totally disciplined for the will of God. His poverty had a sister, humility. The total dependence on God. - Feast Day, October 4th "Most high and glorious God. Enlighten the darkness of my heart. And give me, Lord, a correct faith, a certain hope, a perfect charity, right judgment and knowledge, so that I may carry out your holy and true command." Prayer of St. Francis before the San Damiano Cross.

	Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb and saw the stone had been moved from the entrance. Mary stood weeping beside the tomb. She turned around and saw Jesus standing there. Though she did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, "Please, if you are the one who carried him away, tell me where you have laid him and I will take him." Jesus said, "Mary!" She turned and exclaimed in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means teacher). Jesus said, "Go to my brothers and sisters and tell them I am ascending to my Father and your Father. To my God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" Then, she reported what He had told her. The Holy Gospel According to John

Cemetery

Items of Interest...