In commemoration of the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Italian Cultural Institute of Miami is pleased to host a lecture by Professor Patricia Appelbaum.
The scholar aims to show how, in the United States, different generations have interpreted the figure and thought of Saint Francis as models of cultural alternatives: for example, as a medieval figure during the industrial era, as a pacifist in the twentieth century, and as an environmentalist in the 1980s. The flexibility and variety of these interpretations have made Francis “America’s most popular saint,” widely represented as well in forms of popular art.
The event, scheduled for January 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Institute’s headquarters, is organized in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Miami as part of the celebrations for the Franciscan anniversary and reaffirms Italy’s commitment to promoting the values of peace, care for others, and fraternity, which continue to inspire its thought and action internationally and are perfectly embodied by the extraordinary figure of Italy’s patron saint.
Patricia Appelbaum is an independent scholar of American religion and culture and has held positions at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is the author of St. Francis of America: How a Thirteenth-Century Friar Became America’s Most Popular Saint (https://uncpress.org/book/9781469661421/st-francis-of-america), published by the University of North Carolina Press.
The evening will also feature remarks by His Excellency Archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski.
Free admission while seats last. For information and reservations: iicmiami.segreteria@esteri.it
