St. Francis of Assisi was a universal person whose extravagant love crossed many boundaries. We take a fresh look at St. Francis on his feast day today (Oct. 4) with art that explores his loving connections to men, including an Islamic sultan and a gay Jesus. More info

St. Francis is also the patron saint of animals. Check out our animal blessing and get your pet portraits here.

(Left: "St. Francis and the Sultan" by Robert Lentz. Right: "St Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata" by Kevin Raye Larson)

All of Me: A Gay Mystery

by Dirk Vanden

Attempts to answer the burning question:
Does Jesus hate queers, or not?

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A Minnesota artist was fired from her church job for turning an archbishop's anti-gay DVDs into art with an inclusive message.

Artist Lucinda Naylor came up with a creative way to counteract 400,000 anti-gay DVDs that are being mailed to Catholic households in Minnesota. She's gathering them to build a sculpture. More info

(Image from news video by myfoxtwincities.com)

Even the mainstream media is buzzing with headlines such as "Will the Pope canonize a gay saint?"  John Henry Newman, who is often considered a gay saint, was beatified in September by the Pope.  But Papal recognition comes with a queer cost. 

 

The Catholic Church is trying to downplay Newman's loving relationship with priest Ambrose St. John.  More info

A gay Jesus vision is at the heart of the new gay mystery novel "All of Me" by Dirk Vanden, a multitalented visionary, gay elder and California artist.

 

Vanden shares his life-changing vision that Jesus is gay and gays are Jesus. More info

Hildegard of Bingen was a brilliant medieval German mystic, poet, artist, composer, healer and scientist who wrote with passion about the Virgin Mary.  Some say she was a lesbian because of her strong emotional attachment to women, especially her personal assistant Richardis von Stade. More info  Music video

(Credit: "The Universe" by Hildegard of Bingen)

Get a portrait of your animal companion now for a $25 donation to Jesus in Love -- shipping included.

Artist Trudie Barreras will draw your pet, based on photos that you send.  We are making this offer now for the Feast of St. Francis, patron saint of animals.  More info

 
Thank you!  We will contact all donors with more details.

Light a memorial candle for a loved one on All Saints and All Souls Days at the Jesus in Love Blog. Reserve your virtual candles now for lighting on Nov. 1-2.

For a FREE group listing: Contact us with the names of your loved ones. They will appear with a group of flickering candles.

For an individual flickering candle: Click the button below to donate $10 per candle.  Include the name of your loved one -- and how you want your own name listed. More info