Willette is an artist from Montmartre, somewhat anarchistic and mainly revolted against the hypocrisy of the self-righteous. He was the one who initiated the artists’ mass with his prayer composed on June 28, 1914, at the tomb of Auguste Villiers de l’Isle-Adam.
On that same day, the heir to the Habsburg Empire fell under the bullets of a terrorist, igniting Europe with his criminal act. This prayer was premonitory, a salute of the gladiators: “Ave Domine, morituri te salutant.”
This mass was organized for the first time on February 17, 1926, thirteen days after the death of ‘Pierrot,’ Willette’s nickname, at Saint Germain l’Auxerrois in Paris.
“I greet you all” without mentioning anyone, thus not offending sensitivities. Willette would be pleased; his mass is enduring; it lasts for the duration of this exhibition.
Willette’s mass, a beautiful entry into Lent, a moment that will not be forgotten and will leave an imprint of this artist on all those present at this Ash Wednesday service.
The artists come to pray for those who will die in the year. It is not a tribute to those who have passed but a prayer to God dedicated to the artists who will pass away in the year.
Many artists exhibit at the Saint Pierre d’Arène church in Nice. All forms of artistic expression are represented there: painting, sculpture, photography for the pleasure of the eyes, for the beauty of colors, for the purity or, conversely, the brutality of the lines.
The human being has five senses, and hearing needed to be satisfied as well; lyric art and music were also represented. To avoid offending anyone, we will not name the artists. A great speaker always said: “I thank you.”
The church was full, far too cramped for this crowd communing in the prayer of this decorative artist of the Chat Noir. This year, the artists’ mass, in a certain way, opened the doors of the prison; detainees participated in artistic creation. Through the colors, they emerged from the prison universe. Magic was also present at this service alongside lyrical art.
Willette’s mass, whose theme this year was: EX-VOTO, had an international dimension as it was broadcast in Syria and Taiwan. Moreover, the first two readings were done in Arabic and Chinese.
The church inaugurated its new pews for this ceremony, opening the time of penance for Christians as they journey for 40 days toward Easter and resurrection, their resurrection, which will be gloriously crowned in the dark, opaque night where Jesus descended into the underworld before forever conquering death.
So these deceased artists whose names were read are not dead; they live. This is the greatness of our Faith; life has triumphed over death; Jesus has erased Adam’s sin, and through baptism, we, like Jesus, are each a son of God.
An EX VOTO is either a thank you for a grace received or a request. Let us walk on the paths where the stones are alive, and we will be answered in our requests and prayers. We will be able to say Thank you!
Thierry Jan
