#otd 4 Oct is the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. He is the medieval founder of the Order of Franciscans, whose sprituality was centred on good works and universal love.

But you know a cool way to learn about (some things re) Francis? Watching the Walter Mercado documentary 1/10

Sounds bonkers, but there's a lot of similarities between the two spiritual advisors. I think Mercado (from a Catholic Latin family) might've consciously modelled his mythology on the saint. His iconography, his biography, his sexuality, his philosophy, his sartorial choices 2/10

One of the most famous episodes in St Francis' life is when he preaches to wildlife (modelled on young Jesus). He's often depicted in iconography surrounded by birds and other animals

Mercado's self-mythologising styles himself as a young boy breathing life into a dead bird 3/10

The animation in the documentary (that draws on the Rider-Waite tarot deck, which itself is inspired by stained glass and woodcuts) imagines the young Mercado who by the end is enthroned as a saint, with animals around him (nicely mirrored later by his exhibition entrance) 5/10

Francis of Assisi could be considered one of the earliest known designers. The son of a cloth merchant, Francis had intimate knowledge of fabrics and textures and designed the Franciscan habit from most uncomfortable fabric. The design is also creating no fabric scraps 6/10

Mercado had a great sense of theatricality and stage presence. He collaborated by top fashion designers for his signature capes, which look like the rich clothing of a medieval king, Pope or saint. 7/10

Francis of Assisi's charity and compassionate nature earned him the nicknames 'Lady Poverty' and 'Peace'.

Mercado's sense of spirituality is oriented towards universal love and peace, which he wishes upon his followers at the end of each of his transmissions 8/10

Finally, Francis' and later Franciscan literature is very sensual, nearly erotic, but this effusive emotion is directed to Christ and to God's creation, including other humans.

Speaking about his sexuality, Mercado is nearly metaphysical "my sexuality is with the wind" 9/10

I didn't explain very well all the connections that made me squeal while watching the documentary, but surely there's a (queer theology/media studies) masters thesis lurking in a comparative reading of Francis' multiple Vitae and Mercado's mythology. Someone please write it 10/10