Tag Archives: Eucharist

Following Francis: The Exhortation to the Brothers

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The small band of brothers living at Rivo Torto and later at the Porziuncula, were drawing others to their way of following Christ in the world.  And if they expected to find a uniform dress code, posted rules, a great deal of organization, a formation program, or even someone to sit them down and explain what was expected – they were in for a surprise. Francis assumed that his followers would learn by imitation. Giving them rules or structures to follow was not merely difficult for him, it went against the grain of the meaning of minority – to be the lesser brother. The new arrivals simply did what Francis did: daily prayer, work at a local leprosarium, go to local churches to participate in Eucharist, eat, pray again, witness to the local Umbrian people near Assisi, and live a life in community.  The brothers had to watch Francis closely and do their best to understand. Continue reading →

Admonitions of St. Francis

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In the medieval world, an “admonition” was more than a warning. It was the practical application in life of a biblical passage. In his time, St Francis of Assisi left 28 admonitions for his brother friars, passages of Scripture and Francis’ own reflection upon them. These admonitions were found in five 13th-century manuscripts that were collections of writing of Francis and about Francis. The one constant in the five different collections were the Admonitions, referred to in one manuscript as the “Canticle of Minority.”

This week includes the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (Oct 4th). There will be many posts around the sphere attending to Francis as a lover of animals, a patron of ecology (both true), along with many of his so-called quotes (most of them fanciful). This week I will try to share some of Francis’ own writings from the Admonitions and let the Saint speak for himself. Continue reading →