The Perfect Joy of St. Francis

[JReducation]

Can someone explain what is meant by this quote from St. Francis?

Francis was trying to help the people understand that no one can force you to sin. You choose that for yourself.

Whatever ills other people impose on you, none of them can lead you to sin, if you don’t want to go there.

On the contrary, such ills may actually help you become holier, if you put up with them as Christ did.

You’re the only enemy to yourself, because only you can send yourself to hell.

 

[JReducation]

I found some of the above quiet disturbing.

I find that this emphasis usually leads to Franciscans then claiming that their ways should be the ways of the church.

St. Francis was born in the 1181. Christianity was flourishing and doing well even prior to St. Francis’s existence. Otherwise there probably wouldn’t even be a St. Francis to begin with.

Actually, the Church was in greater crisis than today. That’s why Dominic and Francis were so important.

Christ told Pope Innocent that Dominic and Francis would protect the Church from collapse.

So while I think St. Francis is a great saint, and had a nice way of imitating Christ, it was only one way of imitating Christ.

Therefore statements like “If we lost the Gospels, we would be able to reconstruct the image of Christ by looking at Francis’ life and teachings.” are a bit unfounded. At best, we will end up with one shade of the image of Christ.

Actually, there have been encyclicals about St. Francis. The statement about reconstructing the Gospel by examining his life was made by Pope Gregory IX who had been Francis’ friend since Francis was a young man and Gregory was still Cardinal Hugolino. When he was questioned as to why he was waving all of the canonization requirements for Francis of Assisi: no study, no necessity to prove that miracles were true, no beatification, not waiting, his response was “We know Brother Francis. He was our son and our friend. If the Gospel were ever lost, we could reconstruct it by looking at his life.” The cardinals became very angry, but Pope Gregory proceeded to canonize him.

Later we would have encyclicals about him written by Popes Leo XIII and Pius XII. There would also be other statements by such popes as Pope Benedict. Pope Benedict went as far as to call the Italian bishops on the carpet when the Italian Conference of Bishops met a few years ago. He told them that they should all look to St. Francis of Assisi and learn to obey and submit to the Pontiff from Francis. None of the Italian bishops are Franciscans.

This does not take anything away from any other saint or any other way of following the Gospel. In Spiritual Theology we have what is called a hierarchy of virtues. Every man or woman who is a known saint is obviously worthy of veneration and imitation. However, not every saint has achieved the same degree of virtue. What is impressive about them is that they have all achieved heroic levels of virtue.

Each person must follow the spiritual teacher that is compatible with who the person is. A person who is compatible with Ignatius of Loyola, would be foolish to the extreme to try to follow Francis. He would make little progress in the spiritual life, because he cannot see God, the Church and the world through Francis’ eyes. Francis commands such obedience from his followers. He does not allow any other point of view but his own. Ignatius, on the other hand, allows his sons to more flexibility and he guides them to the steps to discern the Spirit at work in their lives, but he does not bind them to obey him. Every Jesuit is independent of Ignatius.

Each spiritual master is a teacher. Each has his place in the hierarchy of the saints. Each school of spirituality also has its place. One has to find the one where we can grow in holiness.

The Church looks at the Carthusian way of life as the most perfect way of Gospel living. She also acknowledges that the reason there are few Carthusians, is because God gives the grace to live such perfect intimacy to a select group of souls. I don’t feel that I’m being dismissed or given a second place, because I’m a Franciscan. I look at the Carthusian life and at the Franciscan life and I can see how the Carthusian life is far more perfect that Franciscan life. However, I did not receive the grace necessary to live that life. I received the grace to live this way of life.

There is a difference between Francis and the Franciscan way of life. The Franciscan way of life is an attempt to live the Gospel as Francis lived them. He is the teacher. St. Bonaventure, in his Summa refers to Francis as the Perfect Disciple after the Blessed Virgin Mary. He spent 12 years proving this. You may want to pick up Bonaventure’s books on Francis to understand how the Church comes to accept these titles and images of Francis.

The Disciple and the Master is very expensive, but it’s excellent.

Such is the Power of Love: Francis of Assisi As Seen by Bonaventure is less expensive.

He also wrote the Itinerarium (Journey of the Soul Into The Mind of God) in which he sets out to show how the soul enters into the mind of God. He uses Francis’ soul as the example.

In none of these does he say that one has to become a Franciscan. In fact, Bonaventure says that it’s not possible.

However, he did write in his Summa

Let no no one begrudge God’s generosity, but let everyone listen to and learn the teaching the Christ, indeed, of Saint Francis, that good teacher who taught others what he had learned without error, without guile, without forgetfulness, and without doubting. Saint Francis can rightly say: "Learn from me, to encourage others, and equally, for I am meek and humble of heart, to inspire others."

We have these great luminaries: Gregory IX, Bonaventure, Leo XIII, Pius X, Pius XII and Pope Benedict XVI pointing to Francis as a teacher. No one is saying that he is the only teacher. What is being said is that he is not just a sweet saint. This was a very powerful man who turned around the tide of Medieval Catholicism and who received a vision that he and his religious family would be part of the Church until the second coming. This was approved by Pope Innocent III.

I hope this clarifies the issue.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Dockpost]

Can someone explain what is meant by this quote from St. Francis?

When I read your question I made me think “the only thing standing between me and God, is me”

 

[TrueLight]

When I read your question I made me think “the only thing standing between me and God, is me”

Francis was trying to help the people understand that no one can force you to sin. You choose that for yourself.

Whatever ills other people impose on you, none of them can lead you to sin, if you don’t want to go there.

On the contrary, such ills may actually help you become holier, if you put up with them as Christ did.

You’re the only enemy to yourself, because only you can send yourself to hell.

Okay. I understand.

There is a current saying that goes something like, “You can’t control people’s actions. You can only control your reaction.”

 

[passer_by]

Actually, the Church was in greater crisis than today. That’s why Dominic and Francis were so important.

Christ told Pope Innocent that Dominic and Francis would protect the Church from collapse.

I think you are missing the point here Brother.

The point was that the Church existed for a millennium prior to St. Francis. We must not forget that St. Francis was the product of that Church and not the other way around.

Actually, there have been encyclicals about St. Francis. The statement about reconstructing the Gospel by examining his life was made by Pope Gregory IX who had been Francis’ friend since Francis was a young man and Gregory was still Cardinal Hugolino. When he was questioned as to why he was waving all of the canonization requirements for Francis of Assisi: no study, no necessity to prove that miracles were true, no beatification, not waiting, his response was “We know Brother Francis. He was our son and our friend. If the Gospel were ever lost, we could reconstruct it by looking at his life.” The cardinals became very angry, but Pope Gregory proceeded to canonize him.

Such statements are always made. But they are not infallible and may indeed lack any foundation.

In this case, it appears that there was indeed no foundation. Won’t you agree?

St. Francis is merely one shade of Christ. Even he would object to the idea that he perfectly represents Christ completely.

Later we would have encyclicals about him written by Popes Leo XIII and Pius XII. There would also be other statements by such popes as Pope Benedict. Pope Benedict went as far as to call the Italian bishops on the carpet when the Italian Conference of Bishops met a few years ago. He told them that they should all look to St. Francis of Assisi and learn to obey and submit to the Pontiff from Francis. None of the Italian bishops are Franciscans.

Once again, all of this just shows the Pope’s highlighting one aspect of St. Francis i.e. obedience to Authority.

It does not say or suggest that an infallible teaching exists supporting the idea that St. Francis and his teachings are all we need to reconstruct the gospels.

I would think it even dangerous to think so.

This does not take anything away from any other saint or any other way of following the Gospel. In Spiritual Theology we have what is called a hierarchy of virtues. Every man or woman who is a known saint is obviously worthy of veneration and imitation. However, not every saint has achieved the same degree of virtue. What is impressive about them is that they have all achieved heroic levels of virtue.

Sure, but this applies to St. Francis as well. Or are you suggesting that St. Francis is equal in his virtue to someone like the Blessed Virgin Mother?

What I do not understand is why Franciscans suggest that St. Francis is the realization of the pinnacle of all virtues. I think that claim is unfounded. St. Francis was a great saint. No doubt about it. But he was merely a shade of Christ. There can be and have been others who did their part for Christ in ways vastly different from how St. Francis did things.

Case in point, take St. Paul.

Each person must follow the spiritual teacher that is compatible with who the person is. A person who is compatible with Ignatius of Loyola, would be foolish to the extreme to try to follow Francis. He would make little progress in the spiritual life, because he cannot see God, the Church and the world through Francis’ eyes. Francis commands such obedience from his followers. He does not allow any other point of view but his own. Ignatius, on the other hand, allows his sons to more flexibility and he guides them to the steps to discern the Spirit at work in their lives, but he does not bind them to obey him. Every Jesuit is independent of Ignatius.

And I think that is fine as long as all of them are obedient to the Church.

A good spirituality does not necessarily need to represent that of St. Francis is my point.

(see next post)

 

[passer_by]

(see above post)

Each spiritual master is a teacher. Each has his place in the hierarchy of the saints. Each school of spirituality also has its place. One has to find the one where we can grow in holiness.

The Church looks at the Carthusian way of life as the most perfect way of Gospel living. She also acknowledges that the reason there are few Carthusians, is because God gives the grace to live such perfect intimacy to a select group of souls. I don’t feel that I’m being dismissed or given a second place, because I’m a Franciscan. I look at the Carthusian life and at the Franciscan life and I can see how the Carthusian life is far more perfect that Franciscan life. However, I did not receive the grace necessary to live that life. I received the grace to live this way of life.

Exactly. So I don’t see why anyone has to try to become what they are not. I also think it might be incorrect wording to say that Carthusian way best represents the gospel way of living.

What you might be saying is that the Carthusian way of living is objectively a higher good to the other ways. This would be similar to saying becoming a priest is objectively higher calling than to married life. BUT, to say that one is the best representation of the gospel would be in error, no?

Because people are called to marriage, because that is their calling as determined by God. You are called to be Franciscan because that is the calling decided by God for you. He doesn’t call you to an imperfect life compared to the gospel. I would think he calls you and everyone else to perfectly imitate the gospel according to their state of life.

This is why I think that we all at our pinnacle of virtues would only represent a perfect shade of the gospel.

There is a difference between Francis and the Franciscan way of life. The Franciscan way of life is an attempt to live the Gospel as Francis lived them. He is the teacher. St. Bonaventure, in his Summa refers to Francis as the Perfect Disciple after the Blessed Virgin Mary. He spent 12 years proving this. You may want to pick up Bonaventure’s books on Francis to understand how the Church comes to accept these titles and images of Francis.

I do not have much concern about the titles. I think the same titles are sometimes given to other saints. St. Anthony for an example has a title “Model of Humility and Patience”. But what I wanted to say was that it does not mean that he is the only model.

It is this point that I disagreed with you on.

The Disciple and the Master is very expensive, but it’s excellent.

Such is the Power of Love: Francis of Assisi As Seen by Bonaventure is less expensive.

He also wrote the Itinerarium (Journey of the Soul Into The Mind of God) in which he sets out to show how the soul enters into the mind of God. He uses Francis’ soul as the example.

In none of these does he say that one has to become a Franciscan. In fact, Bonaventure says that it’s not possible.

However, he did write in his Summa

Let no no one begrudge God’s generosity, but let everyone listen to and learn the teaching the Christ, indeed, of Saint Francis, that good teacher who taught others what he had learned without error, without guile, without forgetfulness, and without doubting. Saint Francis can rightly say: "Learn from me, to encourage others, and equally, for I am meek and humble of heart, to inspire others."

We have these great luminaries: Gregory IX, Bonaventure, Leo XIII, Pius X, Pius XII and Pope Benedict XVI pointing to Francis as a teacher. No one is saying that he is the only teacher. What is being said is that he is not just a sweet saint. This was a very powerful man who turned around the tide of Medieval Catholicism and who received a vision that he and his religious family would be part of the Church until the second coming. This was approved by Pope Innocent III.

Oh I don’t disagree with any thing that is said. But what I want to point out is that just like St. Francis, there have been St. Paul, St. Dominic, etc etc.

So I am merely against the idea of saying that the Church should become Franciscans. I feel that it is similar to someone saying we should all become Catholic Priests. Nice as the idea may be, we would not have any children.

Similarly in the case of everyone becoming Franciscan, if that were to happen, we would only have one shade of Christ in the Church. That would be a shame.

 

[JReducation]

Okay. I understand.

There is a current saying that goes something like, “You can’t control people’s actions. You can only control your reaction.”

I guess if I were going to say this in our language, that would be about right.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[JReducation]

I think you may be confusing one thing with another. Francis has been venerated by the Church, in a very formal capacity, as the Perfect Christian, since the time of his canonization. He’s also been venerated as the Perfect Imitation of Christ. These have been used in the liturgy of the mass and the liturgy of the hours until the revision of the missal in 2000. The wording is still present in the Roman Franciscan Missal and the Roman Franciscan Breviary. As the Church prays, so must she teach.

However, this is not to say that everyone is to be a Franciscan. This is neither possible nor desirable. Neither the Church nor Franciscans use these titles with this intention. They are titles of respect for his achievement. The Church, in her liturgy, acknowledges that he achieved something, to imitate Christ perfectly. The language speaks about the grace and mercy that God has shown to the world by raising up a man like Francis. Francis is held up as the most perfect model of Evangelical living for two reasons. It gives glory to God and it helps us to see that such a degree of imitation is doable, because Francis was born with Original Sin, just like everyone else. He was born in a very troubled world. He had to overcome many external and internal obstacles to achieve Christian perfection. She holds him up as a sign of hope. “If one man can do it, others can to.”

Maybe, I’m not doing an adequate job at explaining the difference between Francis the model of perfect discipleship and the difference Christian vocations. That’s why I would refer you to the writings of St. Francis, Popes Leo XIII, Benedict XV and Pius XII.

You may find Pope Gregory’s Bull of Canonization interesting. It’s the longest and most theological statement ever made at a canonization. Also, Francis is one of the few saints whose canonization is decreed as a Papal Bull. What is more interesting is how he traces the history of salvation in the life of Francis.

If I were a betting man, which I’m not, I would bet that the next saint to be canonized with a Papal Bull will be Bl. Mother Teresa. For those who don’t understand the importance of a Bull. A Bull is an Apostolic Letter. Canonizations are Ex Cathedra decrees. When you write the decree in the form of an Apostolic Letter, it carries legal weight along with the weight of infallibility. In simple 21st century language, the pope wants us to pay attention to this particular canonization.

Here is just the closing paragraph.

We decree that his birth be celebrated worthily and solemnly by the universal Church on the fourth of October, the day on which he entered the Kingdom of heaven, freed from the prison of the flesh.
10. Hence, in the Lord We beg, admonish and exhort all of you, We command you by this apostolic letter, that on this day reserved to honor his memory, you dedicate yourselves more intensely to the divine praises, and humbly to implore his patronage, so that through his intercession and merits you might be found worthy of joining his company with the help of Him who is blessed forever. Amen.

I think what the Church has been teaching us is that Francis’ spirituality is the summary of Christian Spirituality. There is no such thing as a Franciscan Spirituality. There is Christian Spirituality and there are spiritual masters who have lived it through the centuries, each of them according to his gifts, personality and responsive to the needs of the times. That’s what we mean when we speak about Ignatian, Carmelite, Augustinian and other spiritualities.

I would really suggest reading the great doctor, Bonaventure. He responds to these questions better than I can. I have to warn you. When it came to Francis, Bonaventure took no prisoners.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[passer_by]

I think you may be confusing one thing with another. Francis has been venerated by the Church, in a very formal capacity, as the Perfect Christian, since the time of his canonization. He’s also been venerated as the Perfect Imitation of Christ. These have been used in the liturgy of the mass and the liturgy of the hours until the revision of the missal in 2000. The wording is still present in the Roman Franciscan Missal and the Roman Franciscan Breviary. As the Church prays, so must she teach.

Yes, but just because St. Francis was a perfect Christian, it doesn’t mean St. Francis is THE perfect Christian. I see a difference in the above two claims.

The second suggests that St. Francis had every shade of Christ. I don’t think that is true and a judgement we can even make.

At best we can say that he was a perfect Christian in the sense that he imitated Christ ACCORDING to the State of life he was in.

However, this is not to say that everyone is to be a Franciscan. This is neither possible nor desirable.

Agreed.

Neither the Church nor Franciscans use these titles with this intention. They are titles of respect for his achievement. The Church, in her liturgy, acknowledges that he achieved something, to imitate Christ perfectly. The language speaks about the grace and mercy that God has shown to the world by raising up a man like Francis. Francis is held up as the most perfect model of Evangelical living for two reasons. It gives glory to God and it helps us to see that such a degree of imitation is doable, because Francis was born with Original Sin, just like everyone else. He was born in a very troubled world. He had to overcome many external and internal obstacles to achieve Christian perfection. She holds him up as a sign of hope. “If one man can do it, others can to.”

This is fine. But it again feels like you still want to support the idea “St. Francis was THE perfect Christian”. I don’t think that is correct for the above mentioned reasons.

Maybe, I’m not doing an adequate job at explaining the difference between Francis the model of perfect discipleship and the difference Christian vocations. That’s why I would refer you to the writings of St. Francis, Popes Leo XIII, Benedict XV and Pius XII.

You may find Pope Gregory’s Bull of Canonization interesting. It’s the longest and most theological statement ever made at a canonization. Also, Francis is one of the few saints whose canonization is decreed as a Papal Bull. What is more interesting is how he traces the history of salvation in the life of Francis.

I will give the above documents a read when I get some time. But I am sure they don’t convey the idea that “St. Francis is THE perfect Christian”.

If you said this about the Blessed Mother, I could understand your point but I really don’t see it with St. Francis.

If I were a betting man, which I’m not, I would bet that the next saint to be canonized with a Papal Bull will be Bl. Mother Teresa. For those who don’t understand the importance of a Bull. A Bull is an Apostolic Letter. Canonizations are Ex Cathedra decrees. When you write the decree in the form of an Apostolic Letter, it carries legal weight along with the weight of infallibility. In simple 21st century language, the pope wants us to pay attention to this particular canonization.

Sure. I have no problem recognizing St. Francis as a great saint and praying for his intercession.

I think what the Church has been teaching us is that Francis’ spirituality is the summary of Christian Spirituality. There is no such thing as a Franciscan Spirituality. There is Christian Spirituality and there are spiritual masters who have lived it through the centuries, each of them according to his gifts, personality and responsive to the needs of the times. That’s what we mean when we speak about Ignatian, Carmelite, Augustinian and other spiritualities.

So you are saying that St. Francis, who lived a millennium since the Church was founded, was the one who had the best all encompassing spirituality?

I honestly disagree. I don’t see how one can make such a claim because it seems meaningless.

St. Francis was in a state of life that not many others would even come across. Similarly, there are states of life that St. Francis never came across. So to claim that his spirituality encompasses the Christin spirituality that should be present in everyone else doesn’t seem possible.

I would really suggest reading the great doctor, Bonaventure. He responds to these questions better than I can. I have to warn you. When it came to Francis, Bonaventure took no prisoners.

I will give his works a read as well.

 

[JReducation]

To alleviate our concerns about what people call men like St. Francis or women like Bl. Mother Teresa, what we call the “super saints”, we have to understand how their contemporaries saw them. That’s how they get these titles. These are not titles that are given gratuitously. These are saints the world knows and venerates in one way or another, not just Catholics and not just those who lived with them. For example, in 1976 the US Postal System put out a stamp to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. A year ago, major metropolitan areas around the world displayed blue and white lights in honor of Mother Teresa’s 100th birthday and the US Postal Service and other countries issued Mother Teresa postage stamps.

In 2009 the Holy Father hosted a delegation of 1200 Franciscan men and women representing over 100 branches of the Franciscan order to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the founding. They gathered at his summer palace in Castel Gandolfo.

The Missionaries of Charity are the only religious allowed to have a house inside the walls of Vatican City. It is a privilege reserved just for Mother. There is a very funny story that goes with this. Mother was returning to Rome to visit her sisters. When Bl. John Paul heard that she was going to be in town, he told his secretary to do whatever it took to vacate the building next to the Papal Palace and to rehabilitate it into a home for the poor. It was to be done before Mother arrived, because as he said, “I have no idea what to say to her, if she asks again.”

People who live with these saints and whose lives have been strongly influenced by them, see in them what many of us may not see and that’s how these titles of respect and veneration come up.

A Dominican recently posted on another thread a statute from the Dominican constitutions, which says that the Dominicans must love and respect the Franciscans, refuse to believe anything bad that is said about them and defend them from those who speak badly about them. If a Dominican speaks badly about a Franciscan, there will be consequences.

Post 160

It’s all kind of funny, because at the same time that this was written into the Dominican constitutioin, the Church was excommunicating the Minister General of the Franciscan order, because he publicly expressed disagreement with something that Francis had said. But the Dominicans did not entertain a single negative idea about the Franciscans. Why? It was not because the Franciscans were saints. It was because of the love that the Dominicans had for their Holy Father Francis was transferred to the sons of St. Francis.

The Order of the Most Holy Trinity is a little older than the Dominicans and Franciscans by about 30 years. At the motherhouse there is a huge stain glass window with the image of St. John de Matha, the founder of the Trinitarians, venerating the feet of St. Francis. The window represents a true story. Francis stopped for a visit and John de Matha, the Prior General, came out to wait on him. He washed and kissed his feet. He commented to his friars that this was not an ordinary man, but one whom God had raised to save the Church of the Middle Ages. Pope Innocent had said the same thing about Francis and Dominic. Dominic has said the same thing about both of them. It was revealed to him.

The Friar Servants of Mary (Servites) were founded shortly after the death of St. Francis. The first community asked for permission to live in a house next to the Franciscans, because they wanted to learn from Francis through his sons. To this day, they have a tradition of reading the Rule and Testament of Francis as part of their readings during Matins. The Camaldolese later picked up the same custom.

Today, the Missionaries of Charity may not leave their house before praying the Peace Prayer of St. Francis. It’s in their constitution. They must stop everything to celebrate his feast on Oct 3 and 4. The Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, St. John Baptist, St. Paul and St. Francis are the only saints who have more than one feast day in the liturgical calendar.

To alleviate the discomforts over the titles given to Francis, we have to do with them the same thing that we do with the titles that are given to Mary. We have to ask ourselves, what do they tell us about Christ? The Dominicans, Servites, Trinitarians, Missionaries of Charity, Camaldolese, and different popes and doctors of the Church used these titles, because they said something to them about Christ and Francis was the means through which that particular message was delivered. We have to look for the message. There is something to which the Holy Spirit is trying to get our attention, something that people like Dominic, John de Matha, Mother Teresa, Leo XIII, Benedict XV, Pius XII and Benedict XVI saw that we may be missing. That message is for all of us. God raises saints for a reason. Otherwise, they’d all be quietly enjoying heaven and we would be none the wiser.

When men and women like Francis of Assisi and Mother Teresa explode into history, it is no coincidence. As Fr. Benedict G. says in one of his books, “There are no coincidences.” There is something that God wants us to see. If it were just for a few, the particular saint would be known to a few. But certain saints are known to every Catholic and non-Catholics too. I have met very few non-Catholics who do not have at least respect for, if not curiosity about Francis and Mother Teresa.

Let’s not be disturbed by the titles. Let’s focus on this from another perspective. The Church, doctors and saints who made these observations saw something that spoke them about Christ in a way that left a lasting impression, what did they see? At the end of the day, saints always point to Christ.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[joanofarc2008]

This to me seems to be shaping up to be a very intellectual discussion although I have only read the last 10-20 posts as I came in late. I will go back and read the whole thread later. To me on a more emotional level I look at Our Father’s blessing given to St Francis in the form of the Stigmata. Granted St Francis was not the only Saint ever given this gift but those Saints that were certainly stand out. To me the Pope that decided to canonize him would have had an easy doing so because they had all see God’s mark on him. It does not leave much doubt that the good works one sees are actually good works.

 

[JReducation]

This to me seems to be shaping up to be a very intellectual discussion although I have only read the last 10-20 posts as I came in late. I will go back and read the whole thread later. To me on a more emotional level I look at Our Father’s blessing given to St Francis in the form of the Stigmata. Granted St Francis was not the only Saint ever given this gift but those Saints that were certainly stand out. To me the Pope that decided to canonize him would have had an easy doing so because they had all see God’s mark on him. It does not leave much doubt that the good works one sees are actually good works.

Actually, it’s very interesting. The stigmata cannot be taken into account for canonization, because even the devil can do that. Francis’ stigmata is the only one that was ever taken into account for his canonization. That’s rather different. Normally, you only look at miracles after the person is dead.

Pope Gregory IX canonized Francis and Anthony, without a beatification or an investigation, because as he said, “They were my friends. I knew them well and saw their sanctity with my own eyes.”

Can you find a better witness than the pope who is going to canonize you?

It’s very similar to the situation with Bl. Mother Teresa. Pope John Paul waved as many requirements as he could, because he knew her personally. There was no doubt in his mind that she is in heaven.

Now, Pope Benedict also did the same with Pope John Paul. He moved aside the obstacles, because he knew him personally.

There is an interesting beatification that took place during Bl. John Paul’s papacy without a miracle, the beatification of Bl. John Duns Scotus, the Franciscan Friar who defended the Immaculate Conception of Mary and settled the argument. There are alleged miracles, but not proven one. Pope John Paul beatified him anyway based on his writings and the testimonies given by the Franciscans. He said that it was a matter of justice that John Scotus be beatified, even if no miracle had been proven.

For example, Padre Pio’s stigmata was not admitted as a sign of his sanctity. We all know that it was, but the Church would not admit it as evidence. The convincing evidence of his sanctity were his obedience, his patient suffering and his love for sinners.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[joanofarc2008]

Actually, it’s very interesting. The stigmata cannot be taken into account for canonization, because even the devil can do that. Francis’ stigmata is the only one that was ever taken into account for his canonization. That’s rather different. Normally, you only look at miracles after the person is dead.

Pope Gregory IX canonized Francis and Anthony, without a beatification or an investigation, because as he said, “They were my friends. I knew them well and saw their sanctity with my own eyes.”

Can you find a better witness than the pope who is going to canonize you?

It’s very similar to the situation with Bl. Mother Teresa. Pope John Paul waved as many requirements as he could, because he knew her personally. There was no doubt in his mind that she is in heaven.

Now, Pope Benedict also did the same with Pope John Paul. He moved aside the obstacles, because he knew him personally.

There is an interesting beatification that took place during Bl. John Paul’s papacy without a miracle, the beatification of Bl. John Duns Scotus, the Franciscan Friar who defended the Immaculate Conception of Mary and settled the argument. There are alleged miracles, but not proven one. Pope John Paul beatified him anyway based on his writings and the testimonies given by the Franciscans. He said that it was a matter of justice that John Scotus be beatified, even if no miracle had been proven.

For example, Padre Pio’s stigmata was not admitted as a sign of his sanctity. We all know that it was, but the Church would not admit it as evidence. The convincing evidence of his sanctity were his obedience, his patient suffering and his love for sinners.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

That is REALLY interesting. I guess what I have taken as a matter of faith is not a matter of evidence - and it makes sense in the way you have explained it. Thank you.

 

[JReducation]

That is REALLY interesting. I guess what I have taken as a matter of faith is not a matter of evidence - and it makes sense in the way you have explained it. Thank you.

If you go to your Ordo and look closely, the only Feast of the Stigmata that the Church has approved for public worship is The Stigmata of St. Francis on Sept 17, which is a first class feast. There is no other stigmata on the Church’s liturgical calendar.

The collect for the mass that day is:

O Lord Jesus Christ, who when the world was growing cold, didst renew the sacred wounds of Thy sufferings in the body of our holy Father St. Francis in order to inflame our hearts with the fire of Thy divine love, mercifully grant that by his merits and intercession we may cheerfully carry our cross and bring forth worthy fruits of penance. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[joanofarc2008]

If you go to your Ordo and look closely, the only Feast of the Stigmata that the Church has approved for public worship is The Stigmata of St. Francis on Sept 17, which is a first class feast. There is no other stigmata on the Church’s liturgical calendar.

The collect for the mass that day is:

O Lord Jesus Christ, who when the world was growing cold, didst renew the sacred wounds of Thy sufferings in the body of our holy Father St. Francis in order to inflame our hearts with the fire of Thy divine love, mercifully grant that by his merits and intercession we may cheerfully carry our cross and bring forth worthy fruits of penance. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

And now it makes sense why the two are separate… I love how simple you make everything.

 

[JReducation]

And now it makes sense why the two are separate… I love how simple you make everything.

The stigmata of St. Francis is the only stigmata that has ever been elevated for public veneration and that has ever been given a special place in the liturgical calendar. The Church considers it an event that must be remembered and for which God must be praised in public for the world to see.

The focus during that mass is the glory of God and the fire of his love. This particular mass is not about Francis, even though it’s the Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis. Francis gets his own moment in the sun on October 3 and 4 from the Transitus to the solemn mass commemorating his entrance into glory.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[TrueLight]

I was thinking about my situation this morning. I have a decent job. I have some other part-time income. And yet, as a single Mom, I have a lot of expenses and things can get dicey.

I realize that every time I had no choice but to rely on God alone financially, he has come through in miraculous ways.

Now how do I live a life dependent on God for my every need even in moments of bounty.

Any suggestions?

 

[JReducation]

I was thinking about my situation this morning. I have a decent job. I have some other part-time income. And yet, as a single Mom, I have a lot of expenses and things can get dicey.

I realize that every time I had no choice but to rely on God alone financially, he has come through in miraculous ways.

Now how do I live a life dependent on God for my every need even in moments of bounty.

Any suggestions?

I believe that as long as you keep what I highlighted at the forefront of your faith, that all things come from God, you’re on your way.

Francis always taught to us to work, which you have done. When he founded the Secular Order, he taught them the importance of honest work to care for their family. He also gave them two very important examples. First, never forget to be grateful to God for what he gives. Second, always remember that what you and your family get is not because you’re entitled to it, but because God loves you.

Happy Thanksgiving

Br. JR, OSF

 

[TrueLight]

I believe that as long as you keep what I highlighted at the forefront of your faith, that all things come from God, you’re on your way.

Francis always taught to us to work, which you have done. When he founded the Secular Order, he taught them the importance of honest work to care for their family. He also gave them two very important examples. First, never forget to be grateful to God for what he gives. Second, always remember that what you and your family get is not because you’re entitled to it, but because God loves you.

Happy Thanksgiving

Br. JR, OSF

Thank you, brother. You have a fantastic Thanksgiving also.

 

[joanofarc2008]

For me this has been experienced in a very metaphorical/literal retelling of the old “knocking on the door” story. I have been called to make a number of moves during my formation in the SFO which has lead to me starting my formation over twice. This last time was probably the hardest for me to take on an intellectual and pride level. However, in experiencing the perfect joy of St Francis (which is not always so perfect and does not always feel good) it did cause me to reevaluate some things and just keep persistently knocking. To me it was more about a loving acceptance of a Call from God than it was about a worldly happiness for me. This is just my two cents. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.