Little has changed
Twenty four years of age. admired and surrounded by
many friends, he enjoys astounding popularity. He is king of Assisi's youth.
Son of a rich merchant, he wears beautiful clothing; his future holds great
promise.
However, unsatisfied, he searches for something else.
One day, through a reading of the Gospel, he discovers an irresistible
call: the call to total love. He changes his life. Chosing poverty, he will
henceforth concern himself solely with the proclamation of the Good News
of Jesus-Christ, and the promotion of peace for all humankind.
His name: Francis of Assisi.
Born in Assisi, Italy, in 1181, Francis abandons everything in 1206
and follows in the footsteps of Jesus to live out the Gospel message. Companions
join him in 1209. During twenty-two years he lives a pilgrim lifestyle, focussing
on prayer and proclamation of Jesus' message.
Feeling unworthy to be ordained to priesthood, he remains a deacon
all his life. Living poorly amongst the poor, he considers himself more of
a leper than the lepers he meets.
During the two last years of his life, the visible wounds of the
passion of Christ are inscribed into his hands, his feet, and his side.
Beginning of a spiritual family.
Here is how it all began.
As soon as they had formed a group of twelve, Francis suggested
to his brothers that they adopt a very simple lifestyle: they would be men
profoundly united to the Lord by their faith, full of life, and sharing a
common desire to do God's will.
They would be humble, modest, and peaceful men, witnessing primarily
by their example, and also by their words. They would earn their own living,
and at the same time would help the people they meet to find the joy and
the love of life described in the Gospel.
These ''Troubadours of the Lord'' would radiate profound joy, make
themselves available for the service of others, and would cultivate an attitude
of kindness and respect towards all humans.
Francis did not wish to be considered a ''great man''. He wanted
poverty for himself and his brothers, humble obedience to God, and respect
towards all individuals and towards the whole of Creation.
Here I am, Lord.
If you're looking for an easy and comfortable lifestyle, reaping
admiration and honours along the way, you're probably not called to the Franciacain
life. Trying to be true to the Gospel message, we are ordinary men searching
for God, finding Him, and opening up our ears and our hearts to the poor.
There are Franciscan friars in most parts of the country, serving
needy families, getting involved in social solidarity movements, supporting
pastoral or social initiatives, working in parishes...
Others spread the Gospel message by way of preaching, or through
the media and other means of communication and education.
Other Franciscan friars spend their lives working alongside the
sick and the prisoners, or amongst youth in secondary schools, college or
universities.
Some Franciscans are called to work towards obtaining greater justice
in the world, promote social reform, or enter the fields of education and
health. Many are professors, handymen, shoemakers, electricians, carpenters,
mechanics, writers, philosophers, theologians, psychologists etc... In short,
Franciscans are to be found in any trade, handycraft or profession which
can serve the men and women of today.
The Community of Franciscan Friar Minors is always very happy to
welcome new friars. We are proud to have an opportunity to share the way
of life which was revealed to Saint Francis of Assisi.
This ''way of life'', as Francis called it, is all at once a living
reality and an ongoing project. The outline of this project is described
in our Rule of life, as well as in our General Constitutions. It has been
translated into many versions, relating to the needs of today: it can be
The Order's Vocation in Today's World (1967), or Called to Live Out
the Gospel Message (Bahia, 1983).
In practice, the project of Franciscan living is carried out by
the friars according to different models, which depend on the area, the age,
the surrounding needs, etc. However, the project is always grounded in solid
faith and supported by prayer, which is considered to be an essential requirement
of Franciscan living. We call this the contemplative aspect of our lives.
There are other dimensions to the Franciscan project (fraternity, preferential
option for the poor, evangelization through mission) which all take root
in what Francis believed was the cornerstone of his Rule:living out the Gospel
of our Lord Jesus-Christ.
The spirit of the Lord.
The spirit of the Lord, which is one of joy, peace,
mercy and love, is also characterized by a capacity to welcome reality. One
is able to recognize the authentic spirit of the Lord by the fruit it bears:
love of God and of thy neighbour.
"Proclaim the greatness of the Lord," wrote Francis. "Glorify Him
by your works." Franciscan friars must not be cut off from the realities
of the world outside, but should be a central part of the building of a new
world.
They see the extent of the work to be done, and are eager to do
their share to achieve a common goal of greater justice. They are available
for the service of the Church and for all initiatives towards a better world.
The friars live in fraternity, loving, respecting and helping out
each other. They are instruments of peace, eager to follow the path set out
by Saint Francis.
