St. Francis of Asisi Saying

[stove]

A priest told me that while in seminary, one of his professors told him that the saying by St. Francis of Asisi which goes something like this: “Preach the gospel always, and when you have to, use words.” cannot be found in any of his writings. Is this true or can someone point me to any of the writings by the saint that says this or similar.

 

[LilyM]

A priest told me that while in seminary, one of his professors told him that the saying by St. Francis of Asisi which goes something like this: “Preach the gospel always, and when you have to, use words.” cannot be found in any of his writings. Is this true or can someone point me to any of the writings by the saint that says this or similar.

Here is a complete list of the writings of St Francis. I don’t have time at present to go through all of 'em, nor do I know whether all of them have been translated into English.

Remember that, like our Lord himself, much more was written and reported about St Francis after his death by those who knew him than during his life. Several of his closest followers survived him by decades, so they were able to preserve some of his sayings.

No-one disputes the accuracy of the Gospels, neither should we be inclined to discount this saying simply because he didn’t commit it to writing. Sayings and doings re-emphasising the point are repeated about him too - so it can be safely said that the attitude is indeed Francis’ own, if not the words.

Repetitions include the saying ‘no use walking unless your walking is your preaching’, and the incident where he asked a brother to go preaching with him - they walked silently through the town. The brother asked when they were going to begin preaching and St Francis said ‘but we have been preaching all this time!’

 

[KarenElissa]

A priest told me that while in seminary, one of his professors told him that the saying by St. Francis of Asisi which goes something like this: “Preach the gospel always, and when you have to, use words.” cannot be found in any of his writings. Is this true or can someone point me to any of the writings by the saint that says this or similar.

Read here

 

[stove]

thanks all and God Bless.