Seven Themes in the Life of Saint Francis of Assisi

I have recently been using the The Saint Francis Prayer Book: A Guide to Deepen Your Spiritual Life by Jon M. Sweeney. The book shares morning and evening prayers centered around seven themes that emerge from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. The Feast Day for Saint Francis of Assisi is most commonly centered around animals and creation. But, Francis's love for creation was just one aspect of his life that we can learn from. Here are the seven themes identified in the prayer book...

DAY ONE: Following Christ – the essence of Christian spirituality, and the only purpose of Francis’s own life. Francis tried to follow Christ’s guidelines for discipleship exactly as the original Twelve had done.

DAY TWO: Disregard for Possessions – the first and most important rule for a true follower of Jesus, according to Francis. The first Franciscans held no personal possessions, and they also owned nothing in common. But, it is not necessary to be a friar to keep the essence of this practice. As Francis’s biographer, Paul Sabatier, explains, the way of St Francis has, from its beginning, been open to “whoever was free at heart from all material servitude.”

DAY THREE: Peace and Care in Human Relationships – the sign of a person who has been transformed or is becoming transformed, by the Spirit of God. As a young adult first going through the stages of conversion, Francis became sensitive in his relationships for the first time. He began to notice the outcast, give of himself to the unfortunate, deal honestly and forthrightly with the wealthy and the powerful, and use his influence to reap peace whenever and wherever he could.

DAY FOUR: Love for All Creatures – the subject of so many legends of St. Francis. This virtue or quality is found in each of us more and more as we progress on our pilgrimage with Christ. We replace roughness toward God’s creatures and Creation with sensitivity to what is around us.

DAY FIVE: Preaching the Good News – the primary purpose of Francis’s vocation. Early in his religious life, Francis asked for intercessory prayer from Brother Sylvester and Sister Clare to ask God whether or not he should focus his life on contemplative work or active work. Sylvester and Clare confirmed that God’s intention for Francis’s vocation was to preach and teach. Francis’s life was extraordinary active and contemplative at the same time.

DAY SIX: Passion More Important than Learning – a central belief of Francis. There will never be a shortage of intellectuals, but the world needs more people striving for spiritual growth and he salvation of others. Francis believed and lived that God is found more in a passionate heart than a book.

DAY SEVEN: Joyful Simplicity – the atmosphere of Francis’s life. He surrounded his brothers, and those who he taught and cared for, with a spirit of joy for God’s goodness. The essential goodness of all things, because all things are from God, is seen in simple ways, by lives lived simply. Even Francis’s reaction to pain – as when he received pseudomedical treatment with fire to his face – was to find the goodness and beauty in Brother Fire, loving its goodness as he loved and revered all of God’s creation.

Taken from: The Saint Francis Prayer Book: A Guide to Deepen Your Spiritual Life by Jon M. Sweeney

Saint Francis of Assisi & Word Made Flesh

Saint Francis Feast Day is October 4. Our Word Made Flesh community has been influenced and inspired by the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. Here is an article written by Chris Heuertz, Co-International Director of WMF, that gives a helpful history of the life of Saint Francis. Click here...

Simple Spirituality. The Spirit of Francis: A Prophetic Sign of Hope in a Slum Community
By Chris Heuertz

Prayers from Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis of Assisi Feast Day is coming October 4. Here is a collection of links to prayers from Saint Francis posted on the Prayer & Creeds blog. Just click on the prayer.

Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace ~

Señor, Hazme un Instrumento de Tu Paz

A Benediction of Saint Francis

Prayer for Doing God’s Will

Prayer for a Rich Spiritual Life

Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Listening to Saint Francis this 9/11 Anniversary

(The oldest known icon of St Francis of Assisi, ca. 1230 (Church of San Fransesco, Pescia)

The community I serve among, Word Made Flesh, is considered part of the New Friar’s mission movement. Two books, written and edited by Scott Bessenecker, share the history, background, and distinctives of the New Friars, if you want to read more.
- The New Friars: The Emerging Movement Serving the World's Poor (2006) 
- Living Mission: The Vision and Voices of New Friars (2010)

Last week I shared my desire to dive back into the life of Saint Francis and Franciscan spirituality in preparation for Saint Francis’ Feast Day on October 4. This week I have done just that. It turns out it was perfect timing to listen and learn from Saint Francis and Franciscan spirituality to grow in my perspective on this 10th anniversary of 9/11. Saint Francis was about peacemaking and the Franciscans today continue to live these principles of peace. My focus on St. Francis this week began with the below Franciscan responses and reflections in light of this 9/11 anniversary.
- American Franciscan Response to Anniversary of 9/11
- Franciscan Voices on 9/11 [Kindle Edition]

I found these words from Patricia Normile, S.F.O. in her contribution to the Franciscan Voices on 9/11 book (“Making Peace a Verb”) to sum up well the posture and priority of peace we learn from Saint Francis...
“I now tend to think of peace as a verb rather than a noun. It moves, it empowers, it inspires, it sacrifices, it challenges. Peace urges us to reach beyond our own comfort, beyond our security, beyond our righteousness, to gain understanding of the “others” in our world. Peace asks us to respect their “otherness.” Peace refuses to allow us to remain in one place too long; it encourages us to move toward greater understanding. Peace seeks to discover new realms in need of healing in ourselves, our country, our world.”

Here are some other Saint Francis resources I have discovered and plan to read and utilize this month ahead. More to come!
- Video – “Who Cares About the Saints? (St. Francis)” featuring Fr. Jim Martin , S.J.
- The St. Francis Prayer Book: A Guide to Deepen Your Spiritual Life by Jon Sweeny
- The Road To Assisi: The Essential Biography of St. Francis by Paul Sabatier (Edited by Jon Sweeny)

Preparing for Saint Francis Feast Day ~ October 4

If you have followed my blog at all these past five years you know that Ignatian and Benedictine spiritualities have recently played a significant role in my formation. Ignatian spirituality has formed and shaped my understanding of discernment and vocation. It has taught me to be attentive. Benedictine spirituality has encouraged me to deepen stability and call to place, as well as cultivate a rhythm of life.

The month I plan to revisit Franciscan spirituality. Our global Word Made Flesh community has been influenced and shaped by the life and spirituality of Saint Francis. When staff are commissioned to begin our service with WMF, we receive a San Damiano cross necklace as a symbol of our commitment. This year our WMF Argentina has decided to observe the Feast Day of Saint Francis on October 4. In preparation for this day, I am looking for recommendations on books, articles and resources on St. Francis and Franciscan spirituality.

Can you help me out? Please post any recommendations in comments or send me an email! 

Stay tuned for more reflections on Saint Francis these weeks ahead.