Further personal reflections on Ferdinand by Deacon Jim Cummings
Honoring or even acknowledging a royal warrior saint in the 21st century raises a lot of questions. What meaning can historical hagiography have for contemporary times? First off, it is a matter of re-appropriation via the masculine psychological archetypes of King and Warrior, speaking to male spirituality. (King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine: A 1990 book by Douglas Gillette and Robert L. Moore). Then it is a matter of re-interpretation of Ferdinand as a patron of dialogue between Islam and Christianity, as opposed to slaughter and annihilation. We still “Defend the Faith,” just not so violently physical.
The fact that he is a part of the Franciscan legacy and the namesake for the local mission and subsequent city and region in California, makes him an enduring, historical presence in this part of the USA.
Besides my interest in Franciscan spirituality, I find I have two personal connections to San Fernando. One is his devotion to my patronal namesake St. James under the title of Santiago Matamoros on horseback. Santiago served as a rallying symbol and cry who supposedly once again miraculously appeared at the head of Ferdinand’s army in the battle for Seville.
“Incorrupt” San Fernando, Rey de Espana, is buried in the cathedral of Seville.
The other is a coincidence of dates. He took the city of Cordoba on June 29th, the solemn feast day of Saints Peter and Paul and that is the date of my diaconal ordination.
