I was asked about this icon, it is very 'western' in nature and recent of course. The hole idea seems a bit odd to me, but then I am an amature in icons. The question I was asked is about animals, especially cats in icons - are they usual? I could think of a lot of other preferred ways of doing an icon of St. Clair to show her love and service to our Lord and his Mother. http://al007italia.blogspot.com/2008/08/following-in-her-foundress-footsteps.html#links

The only one I can think of is Daniel in the Lions Den as far as cats. The Prophet Elijah has a raven. I really don't know as far as animals.

I did some seaching and found some other representations. HUMMM
http://www.bridgebuilding.com/narr/tncla.html
I notice the above is the bridgebuilding stuff

Monastery Icons
http://www.monasteryicons.com/monasteryicons/Item_St-Francis-and-St-Clare-Diptych_373_ps_dpr.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1582213/Mikhail-Gorbachev-admits-he-is-a-Christian.html

"At her feet are cats, symbolizing the contemplative life." -

hmm, as a long-time cat fancier, I've never thought of them as contemplatives. At this moment, Clyde is actively committed to the notion that, if he helps me with keyboard, I might finish more quickly and we can retire to contemplate his next meal.

Many years,

Neil

When I visited Assisi several years ago, I do not recall seeing one icon with St. Clare holding a cat.

Nor do I recall seeing a single cat!!! (I think they know they get a better deal in Rome.)

Papa Bene is known for his fondness of felines.

There is evidently even a children's book on the Pope's cat!

Perhaps if he is canonized someday, we may see a cat in his icon? :-)

God bless,

Fr. Deacon Daniel

Hmm - it was my impression that solitary comtemplatives like Dame Julian of Norwich , were often portrayed with a cat - and there is a reason for this - but I can't remember it

Neil,

Perhaps cats aren't contemplative as such, but they certainly enjoy monasteries. This is from an Irish manuscript (originally written in Irish) from perhaps the 9th century.

Myself and Pangur, cat and sage
Go each about our business;
I harass my beloved page,
He his mouse.

Fame comes second to the peace
Of study, a still day
Unenvying, Pangur's choice
Is child's play.

Neither bored, both hone
At home a separate skill
Moving after hours alone
To the kill

When at last his net wraps
After a sly fight
Around a mouse; mine traps
Sudden insight.

On my cell wall here,
His sight fixes, burning,
Searching; my old eyes peer
At new learning,

And his delight when his claws
Close on his prey
Equals mine when sudden clues
Light my way.

So we find by degrees
Peace in solitude,
Both of us, solitaries,
Have each the trade

He loves: Pangur, never idle
Day or night
Hunts mice; I hunt each riddle
From dark to light.

I sent the link off, thanks for your replies.