Saint Francis of Assisi

Riposa in Pace (Rest in Peace)

Many people see graveyards primarily, or only, as the final spot on earth where there closest are buried memorials, or as a constant memento mori. Walking through a graveyard can be an education in art, history, and religion. St. Francis of Assisi is a favorite saint for many. St. Francis is often pictured with birds, or other animals. He is sometimes pictured with a skull as in the El Grecos', and the Zurbarans' masterpieces. The skull, as in Hamlet, appears as a contemplation upon death; it is also a symbol of triumph over death. The contemplation is often with a crucifix/cross, and the Bible/book. This was a favorite Baroque portrayal. In the bas relief, supra, all three are there with him, as is infra.

El Greco. St Francis in Prayer before the Crucifix. c.1587. Bilbao.

Jesus in the Desert

Now, a sculpture of Jesus is not unexpected in a Catholic graveyard. There are several presentations. Readings for the beginning of Lent have Jesus alone in the Wilderness (or desert). It is a place of desolation, sorrow, and contemplation; à propos for a graveyard.

Masonic incision

Lawrence monument with fallen obelisk
JAMES LAWRENCE
Born to spirit life
SEPT. 28, 1880.
AGED 88 YRS.
Sacred to the Memory of
SARAH. WIFE OF
JAMES LAWRENCE.
Who passed into spirit life.
AUG, 1842. AGED 52 YS.
There is no death.

The first photograph was taken on a sunny morning, the incisions on the pillar are not very distinct. The third photograph was taken on a misty, cloud filled morning, and rotated 90°. What one sees is an eye, with rays descending and a book and a square and compass superimposed. This is a masonic sign.

Now, first, masonic lore is open to interpretation. Accretions were made for many years (mostly during the 19th century), and were vague enough to both allow, and encourage different readings. And it is semi-philosophical fiction. Secondly, in part because the main ritual of freemasonry is a re-enactment of a resurrection of a fictive master mason, Hiram Abiff, it is considered a blasphemy to many Christians, and membership is not permitted for many Christians. When one finishes this third degree of masonry, he marks this as the date of his raising. Funeral orations, and references to death, and dying, are common speeches in meetings; and masonic burials have their own rituals. Masonic markings are found on many gravestones of Masons. Some are borrowings from Christianity, or Judaism, or other religious systems.

The square and compass are measurement tools of the trade for ancient stone masons. The book can be of belief, or knowledge. The eye (sun), may be a representation of the eye of Horus (Egyptian sky god), which also represented fractions the 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, and 1/64. Some masonic writers added elements to suggest affinity to Egyptian mystery religions. Rays of illumination emanate from the eye/sun. The eye may also be seen as the Eye of God, or the eye of Providence.

'...Spirit life' is a rare phrase. My understanding, is that this, is a 19th century 'spiritualist' phrase, and a rather rare one.
_____________
nota bene: there is some speculation in this essay

Saint Calogero

St Calogero Eremita Pray for Us

Calogero with a box strapped to one arm in benediction, and holding a walking staff with the other

At one time all of America from northwestern Alaska to Tierra del Fuego on Cape Horn was home of the several hundred nations of Indians. Overtime, immigrants from the old world came to the new. They brought their religious culture with them. Amongst the Catholic nations, they brought their attachments to favorite saints and patrons. Some (Mary, Joseph) were known to all; some to most (Thérèse, Anthony); some to many (Rita, Raphael); and some to a few.

Lands that were evangelised in the early centuries, and have remained Christian have many local saints, beloved but not universally known. Sicily is one such land. When Sicilianos came to America they brought their local patrons with them. Above is a foto of a gravestone sculpture petitioning San Calogero the Hermit to intercede for us.

Now, Calogero is beloved in several communities in Sicily. It is almost certain that the deceased, and his family were from such a place in Sicily. One such town is Agrigento, in Agrigento province, Sicily. He is also celebrated in Canicattí, Villalba, Naru, Sciacca, Mount Cronio, Frazzanò, and Messina.

Calogero, a Vth century saint, was from Constantinople and eventually became a cave dwelling hermit in Sicily. He emerged to preach, and perform miracles. His feast day is June 18, but in Agrigento there is a festival between the first two Sundays in July. It is celebrated with bread baked with fennel and sesame seeds.

Last year, on July 9 before morning Mass, a North African came into the church in Agrigento and destroyed the statue of San Calogero. That statue has San Calogero painted with black skin (he was thought to have been a resident of Carthage) (not all representations have him such), and was carried in outdoor processions.

Daffodil Hill

Photographers come to photograph the daffodils on Daffodill Hill at Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, O.
the hill is at a crossroad of paths
there are other blooms to be seen

In middle March, much of the US had record heat. Northeast Ohio had 6 of 7 days with new records, three consecutive days of 83°F., which past the previous marks by 7°. In my front yard the daffodils were wilted and brown by Sunday (yesterday). The cemetery sits on higher ground and their flowers were bright. On the old Liberty Blvd. (now, MLKJr.) some of the daffodils were exhausted too, but nearer the lake they were still vibrant.

The cemetery promotes the blooms of Daffodil Hill. Sunday morning, there were people toting cameras with tripods (in case there is motion from wandering flowers?), their companions, spouses and hounds. The air was slightly misty, along downtown there was fog. It was a good time for picture taking. The cemetery was planning Daffodil Sunday for April 15th?

Evangelists

In a sort of a round about, there is a cubic monument. Half of each side face portrays one of the Gospel writers. The other half has plaques of the dead.
The representation of Luke has the words of Jesus on the cross to his crucified companion, Saint Dismas, whose day is March 25:
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. — Luke xxiii. 42-3 KJV

Across the ocean

Some people spend their lives entirely rooted at home, and near home. Others, for whatever reason, cross the ocean sea to live in a new land. What is cut in stone is sometimes the choice of those memoralised, and sometimes of those left behind. Many immigrants came to America. Even when one becomes an American, he often has an attachment to the old country, and wants others to know. Sometimes it is seems just natural to add the place of birth when it is not local.

At Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, the closest ethnic neighborhood was Italian. Many Italians are buried at Lake View. Most Italians are Catholic. The Church heavily influenced Catholics to only be buried in Catholic cemeteries. Wandering stones it is a juxtaposition of sociology. There are many stones signaling masonic membership. Catholics are not supposed to be Masons, and Masons have had an historical animus to Catholicism. In this graveyard they are both to be easily found.
Some come to America, and that moment of arrival is commemorated. It is odd, that the place of origin is not mentioned. Is this a patriotic statement? or a political statement?