Around this time, Matisse also became a much nicer guy

Matisse sketching in the Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence 

Matisse designed the Chapelle in gratitude to his nurse, Monique, 

who entered the cloister there

The stained glass windows behind Matisse were designed using cutouts.

While suffering from duodenal cancer late in his life, Matisse underwent a religious conversion, returning to the sacraments for the first time in a decade.  Matisse's conversion also led to an artistic rebirth.  Although no longer able to stand before a canvas, Matisse nevertheless wished “to make God’s glory visible through purely terrestrial means.”  Matisse cleverly hit upon a new artistic technique, the "cut out,"  which made it possible for him to create vibrant, colorful and large scale works of art while remaining seated.  An exhibition of Matisse's cutouts is currently on at the Tate Modern in London, but naturally they don't mention the spiritual rebirth which inspired them.

More stained glass windows designed with cutouts

from Chapelle du Rosaire

Pope Francis on true discipleship

"Stations of the Cross," Henri Matisse, Chapel of the Rosary, Vence, France

 Pope Francis continues to teach little lessons through his homilies at daily Mass in the chapel of his Casa San Marta residence.   This is taken from his homily earlier today.

Jesus says that those who follow Him will have "many good things" but "with persecution." The path of the Lord, he continued, "is a road of humility, a road that ends in the Cross." That is why, he added, "there will always be difficulties," "persecution." There will always be, "because He travelled this road before" us. The Pope warned that "when a Christian has no difficulties in life – when everything is fine, everything is beautiful - something is wrong." It leads us to think that he or she is "a great friend of the spirit of the world, of worldliness." The Pope noted this "is a temptation particular to Christians."

More here.