Christian Art | George Herbert | Sepulchre | The Church | Humilitie
George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Humilitie
I saw the Virtues sitting hand in hand
In several ranks upon an azure throne,
Where all the beasts and fowls by their command
Presented tokens of submission.
Humility, who sat the lowest there
To execute their call,
When by the beasts the presents tendered were,
Gave them about to all.
The angry Lion did present his paw,
Which by consent was given to Meekness.
The fearful Hare her ears, which by their law
Humility did reach to Fortitude.
The jealous Turkey brought his coral chain;
That went to Temperance.
On Justice was bestowed the Fox’s brain,
Killed in the way by chance.
At length the Crow bringing the Peacock’s plume,
(For he would not) as they beheld the grace
Of that brave gift, each one began to fume,
And challenge it, as proper to his place,
Till they fell out: which when the beasts espied,
They leapt upon the throne;
And if the Fox had lived to rule their side,
They had deposed each one.
Humility, who held the plume, at this
Did weep so fast, that the tears trickling down
Spoiled all the train: then saying, Here it is
For which you wrangle, made them turn their frown
Against the beasts: so jointly bandying,
They drove them soon away,
And then amerced them, double gifts to bring
At the next Session-day.
George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Humilitie
The poem describes a vivid allegory in which the Virtues are portrayed as a courtly assembly, seated in an orderly hierarchy, with Humility occupying the lowest but most crucial position. The scene is set on an ‘azure throne’, emphasizing the elevated and celestial nature of these qualities. Around this throne, animals and birds bring symbolic tokens, illustrating their inherent traits and how these can be transformed or appropriated by the Virtues. The interplay between the virtues, the animals, and the chaos that ensues offers a meditation on the delicate harmony required to maintain moral order, the dangers of pride and discontent, and the reconciling power of humility.
The poem opens with the imagery of the Virtues ‘sitting hand in hand’, suggesting unity and interdependence. This harmony is tested as the beasts and birds present their tokens to Humility, who then distributes them to the appropriate Virtues. Each token is emblematic of the traits associated with the respective animal: the Lion’s paw represents strength subdued by Meekness, the Hare’s ears signify fear transmuted into Fortitude, and the Turkey’s coral chain becomes a symbol of self-restraint in Temperance. The Fox’s brain, given to Justice after his chance death, highlights the sharp, discerning quality required for fair judgment. These exchanges underline the transformative capacity of virtues to redirect natural instincts into moral attributes.
However, the arrival of the Peacock’s plume—a symbol of vanity and splendor—disrupts the balance. The virtues themselves begin to quarrel over the plume, each claiming it as ‘proper to his place’. This discord among the Virtues is a powerful metaphor for the corrupting influence of pride, even in those who are inherently virtuous. The conflict also reflects the fragile nature of moral harmony and how easily it can be fractured by self-interest.
The chaos intensifies when the beasts, emboldened by the Virtues’ disunity, seize the opportunity to assert dominance. They leap upon the throne, threatening to overturn the entire order. The suggestion that the Fox, had he been alive, might have led the beasts to succeed, adds a sharp commentary on the potential for cunning and opportunism to exploit moral weakness.
It is Humility who restores order. Holding the contested plume, she weeps so profusely that her tears spoil its allure. This act of self-effacement exposes the absurdity of the conflict and redirects the Virtues’ anger away from one another and toward the external threat posed by the beasts. The tears symbolize the purifying and reconciling power of humility, which dissolves pride and restores harmony. In the end, the beasts are expelled and punished by being commanded to bring ‘double gifts’ at the next session, reinforcing the idea that humility serves as the foundation for justice and reparation.
The poem concludes by affirming the role of Humility as the central virtue that binds all others together. Without her, even the most noble qualities can descend into rivalry and self-aggrandizement. The allegory highlights the necessity of self-awareness and selflessness in the pursuit of moral integrity, emphasizing that pride, even among the virtuous, is the root of discord.
In its broader implications, the poem meditates on the precariousness of moral structures and the continual effort required to sustain them. It suggests that humility is not merely one virtue among many but the essential glue that maintains the coherence and function of all virtues in a world prone to disorder. The interplay of human qualities and instincts, symbolized by the Virtues and animals, reflects a dynamic process of moral striving, reconciliation, and the ultimate triumph of grace over chaos.
Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Capuchin friar who lived from 1887 to 1968. He is renowned for his piety, his stigmata, and his gift of healing, and has become a beloved figure in the Christian world. Born into a devout Catholic family in Pietrelcina, Italy, Padre Pio felt a calling to the priesthood from a young age. He entered the Capuchin order in 1903 and was ordained a priest in 1910. He spent much of his life as a humble friar, dedicated to prayer, the sacraments, and the service of others. Padre Pio’s most famous spiritual gift was the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ that he bore on his hands, feet, and side. He experienced this phenomenon for over 50 years, from 1918 until his death in 1968. While some were skeptical of his wounds, many believed them to be a sign of his profound union with Christ and his participation in the suffering of the crucified Christ. In addition to his stigmata, Padre Pio was also known for his gift of healing. Many people came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, and he prayed over them, sometimes prescribing special devotions or treatments. While some were healed miraculously, others did not experience a physical cure, but nonetheless found comfort and peace through his intercession. Padre Pio’s life was marked by his devotion to God and his love for others. He spent long hours in prayer, often in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and had a deep appreciation for the power of the Eucharist. He also had a special love for the Virgin Mary, whom he called his ‘Heavenly Mother’, and encouraged others to pray the Rosary. Today, Padre Pio is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his influence has spread far beyond Italy. He is remembered for his holiness, his humility, and his profound union with Christ, as well as for his compassion and concern for the sick and suffering. Christians of all denominations continue to look to him as a model of faith and devotion to God. Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Healing Saint Padre Pio is renowned for his gift of healing, which he used to help countless people throughout his life. He believed in the power of prayer and the importance of placing our trust in God, even in the face of illness and suffering. In James 5:16, we are reminded that ‘the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’. Padre Pio’s life was a testament to the truth of this verse, as he interceded for those who came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. One of the most striking examples of Padre Pio’s healing ministry was the case of Gemma Di Giorgi, a young girl who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Her parents brought her to Padre Pio, who prayed over her and blessed her with the sign of the cross. To the amazement of her doctors, Gemma’s condition began to improve, and she was eventually healed completely. In addition to physical healing, Padre Pio also believed in the importance of emotional and spiritual healing. He often spoke of the need for repentance and conversion, and encouraged his followers to turn to God with contrite hearts. In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus tells the Pharisees, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ Padre Pio understood that true healing involves not only the body, but also the soul. For those who are in need of healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, Saint Padre Pio can serve as a powerful intercessor. He believed in the importance of prayer and the power of God’s grace to heal even the most difficult of cases. Through his intercession, we can ask God for the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles, knowing that we are never alone and that God’s healing love is always with us. So let us pray: ‘Saint Padre Pio, you who had a deep faith in God and a profound love for your fellow human beings, we turn to you in our time of need. We ask for your intercession on behalf of all those who are sick and suffering, that they may be healed in body, mind, and spirit. We ask that you pray for us, that we may have the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles with faith and hope, knowing that God is with us always. We trust in God’s love and mercy, and in the power of prayer to bring healing and wholeness to all who seek it. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us, and lead us to the healing grace of God. Amen.’ Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Peace Saint Padre Pio was a man of peace, who lived his life in the service of God and his fellow human beings. He believed that peace was not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of inner harmony that could only be achieved through a deep and abiding relationship with God. In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ Padre Pio understood the importance of this peace, and dedicated his life to helping others find it. One of the ways that Padre Pio fostered peace was through his ministry of reconciliation. He encouraged those who came to him to confess their sins and seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that this was the first step towards inner peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Padre Pio believed that this was not just a call to be a mediator in conflicts between […]
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Pope Saint Leo the Great continues his exposition of the Beatitudes, moving from the blessing on the poor in spirit to those pronounced on those who mourn and on the meek (Matthew 5:4–5). His reflections trace both the inner character of these dispositions and their eschatological fulfilment [ … ]
