Comment about St. Francis' Alleged Statement

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Today on Threshold of Hope, Fr. Mitch Pacwa asked for the help of anyone who can p(name removed by moderator)oint with certainty the oft-quoted statement attributed to St. Francis: “Preach the gospel always, and if necessary, use words.”

Father remarked that he has spoken with many Franciscans with whom he questioned the source of this, but none of them have been able to verify it. He asked the audience to send an email if anyone can substantiate the source, proving that it came from St. Francis.
 
Preaching without Words

according to St. Francis of Assisi

Many sayings are attributed to St. Francis, but were never actually written by him. One of the more famous of these has to do with preaching without words. This one is based on what St. Francis said and taught.

What St. Francis said about giving good example, and how this was more important that preaching with words comes from a variety of sources, one of which is:

The Little Flowers of St. Francis: Chapter 50

At the end of this chapter, in the English translation by T. Okey, which appeared in the Everyman Library edition of 1951, Philosophy and Theology, n. 485A, p. 295, St. Francis is quoted to have said:

But as for me, I desire this privilege from the Lord, that never may I have any privilege from man, except to do reverence to all, and to convert the world by obedience to the Holy Rule rather by example than by word.
“The Holy Rule” is the Rule of St. Francis.

franciscan-archive.org/patriarcha/preach.html
 
I’m a Franciscan (Secular) and this has come up before. There is no evidence that St. Francis said that, nor did he write the Prayer of St. Francis. 🙂

“Actions speak louder than words” has been around for a long time - there are many variations on the theme. For instance:

You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips. -Oliver Goldsmith, writer and physician (1730-1774)

Well done is better than well said. ~Benjamin Franklin

When deeds speak, words are nothing. ~African Proverb

People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do. ~Lewis Cass
 
This is the closest I found:

Rule of 1221
Chapter 17

All the friars, however, should preach by their example.
 
For the best account of this, look at Francis of Assisi: The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Saint, by André Vauchez; Translated by Michael F. Cusato, Yale Press.

St. Francis and his “twelve” most certainly preached the Gospel with words on a regular basis! It just happened that the most willing recipients of his message were the poor and destitute (who were also in need of earthly provisions).

(As an aside, I’d be curious to know exactly how one would come to know the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection and our adoption into Our Father’s family without hearing it spoken… with the exception of a dream or vision (e.g. St. Paul).)
 
may_they_be_one said:
(As an aside, I’d be curious to know exactly how one would come to know the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection and our adoption into Our Father’s family without hearing it spoken… with the exception of a dream or vision (e.g. St. Paul).)
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Thank you for your insights. This was the aim of Fr. Pacwa’s comment. I forget the name of the document he was reviewing this week, but he pointed out that living the faith wordlessly, in silence, cannot be the only path for us to follow. It is necessary to share the gospel and bring God’s light to others by proclaiming the faith.

OTOH, it is good to note that sharing Christ’s message without living the life is next to useless and often scandalizes others. In that sense, St. Francis’ words are prophetic.
 
Michael Mayo:
Many sayings are attributed to St. Francis, but were never actually written by him. One of the more famous of these has to do with preaching without words.
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Bonnie:
I’m a Franciscan (Secular) and this has come up before. There is no evidence that St. Francis said that, nor did he write the Prayer of St. Francis.
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Thank you both for responding. That was also Father’s sentiment today, that perhaps St. Francis did not really say that, but I sensed he wanted to vindicate him in case he had been misinformed.

From Michael’s link, Chapter III, “Indeed, I counsel, warn and exhort my friars in the Lord Jesus Christ, that when they go about through the world, they are not to quarrel nor contend in words (cf 2 Tim 2:14) …”
 
Also in the rule of 1223 there is

Chapter 9. Of preachers

The friars are forbidden to preach in any diocese if the bishop objects
to it. No friar should dare to preach to the people unless he has been
examined and approved by the Minister General of the Order and has
received from him the commission to preach.

Moreover, I advise and admonish the friars that in their preaching,
their words should be examined and chaste. They should aim only at the
advantage and spiritual good of their listeners, telling them briefly
about vice and virtue, punishment and glory, because our Lord himself
kept his words short on earth.

ewtn.com/library/PRIESTS/OFM-1223.TXT
 
Well, I’ll be. Francis sorta said it 😉
When did Francis say, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary”?
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This is a great quote, very Franciscan in its spirit, but not literally from St. Francis. The thought is his; this catchy phrasing is not in his writings or in the earliest biographies about him.
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In Chapter XVII of his Rule of 1221, Francis told the friars not to preach unless they had received the proper permission to do so. Then he added, “Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds.”
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A few years ago, someone used the Internet to contact some of the most eminent Franciscan scholars in the world, seeking the source of this “Use words if necessary” quote. It is clearly not in any of Francis’ writings. After a couple weeks of searching, no scholar could find this quote in a story written within 200 years of Francis’ death.
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Adapted from Ask A Franciscan, a feature in St. Anthony Messenger.
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I like the real one better (see my sig, in a couple of minutes 😃 )
 
Sirach2 said:
Thank you for your insights. This was the aim of Fr. Pacwa’s comment. I forget the name of the document he was reviewing this week, but he pointed out that living the faith wordlessly, in silence, cannot be the only path for us to follow. It is necessary to share the gospel and bring God’s light to others by proclaiming the faith.

OTOH, it is good to note that sharing Christ’s message without living the life is next to useless and often scandalizes others. In that sense, St. Francis’ words are prophetic.
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It is of my impression and understanding that, reading into the words and deeds of our beloved Franciscan of Life here on CAF and outside, living the Gospel works like an invitation. Once the audience are captivated with the deeds and examples shown, then they ask. That’s when the proclamation begins; the words come into play. Dialogue ensues. That’s how I see it.
 
choliks said:
It is of my impression and understanding that, reading into the words and deeds of our beloved Franciscan of Life here on CAF and outside, living the Gospel works like an invitation. Once the audience are captivated with the deeds and examples shown, then they ask. That’s when the proclamation begins; the words come into play. Dialogue ensues. That’s how I see it.
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That is absolutely brilliant! I am going to save this post:)
 
Read Fr. Augustine Thompson’s new biography of St. Francis… he goes through all kinds of things like this! Excellent book.
 
I’m not sure if Saint Francis ever said it. Although it conveys a solid point about giving good example, it has been quoted AD NAUSUEM. It is sometimes used to justify not speaking up when necessary.
 
It troubles me that this particular “quote” gets much attention today when so much of his actual teaching is ignored. I think people tend to misuse this saying to undermine the renewed emphasis on doctrine and devotion, such as Adoration. I read one magazine article that posed a false distinction, “what’s more important, true doctrine or love?”. Obviously the author wanted the reader to think “love is more important”, with the corollary, that true doctrine is less important. People who misuse the saying about preaching only with your actions may have a larger agenda. I have heard religion teachers saying “Christianity is caught, not taught”.
 
commenter said:
It troubles me that this particular “quote” gets much attention today when so much of his actual teaching is ignored.
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Yes, how about we start quoting what he actually said.

Like,

"Blessed is the servant who would accept correction, accusation, and blame from another as patiently as he would from himself. Admonitions XXII
 
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