Franciscan Quote of the Day

The lives and writings of the Franciscan men and women in this volume demonstrate the adaptability of Francis’s vision across cultures and throughout history. Each entry underscores the poverty at the crystal center of Francis’s spirituality. If nothing material matters, then only the immaterial—the spirit living within each and every one of us—is what must be most revered and reverenced. Then and only then will the promise of Franciscan spirituality—universal brotherhood and peace—be recognized and received.

~ Regis Armstrong, The Franciscan Tradition (Spirituality in History)

Those brothers to whom the Lord has given the grace of working may work faithfully and devotedly so that, while avoiding idleness, the enemy of the soul, they do not extinguish the Spirit of holy prayer and devotion to which all temporal things must contribute.

~St. Francis of Assisi, The Later Rule

It doesn’t matter how far away we are from everyone, it doesn’t matter if they take everything away. Nobody can ever take away the faith we carry in our hearts. This is how we build an altar in our own hearts.

Bl. Maria Restituta via Kissing the Leper

He may say (what means very little) that St. Francis was in advance of his age. He may say (what is quite true) that St. Francis anticipated all that is most liberal and sympathetic in the modern mood; the love of nature; the love of animals; the sense of social compassion; the sense of the spiritual dangers of prosperity and even of property.

~G.K. Chesterton, St. Francis of Assisi

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.

~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin via The Anchoress | A First Things Blog.

This attitude of soul towards poverty is in truth the supreme test of the genuine Franciscan spirit whether in life or in art.

~Father Cuthbert, O.S.F.C., “St. Francis and Poverty” from Franciscan Essays

It pleases me that you should read sacred theology to the brothers so long as on account of this study they do not extinguish the spirit of holy prayer as is ordained in the Rule.

~St. Francis of Assisi, via AlmostCatholic

But in how great an error these persons have entangled themselves, and how far they are distant from that true perfection which we seek, may easily be gathered from their lives and habits. For in every thing, whether It be great or small, they seek their own advantage, and like to be preferred before others; they are self-willed and opinionated, blind to their own faults, sharp-sighted for the faults of others, and severely condemn the sayings and doings of other men.

~Lorenzo Scupoli, The Spiritual Combat

The Preacher: Meantime, why don’t you put me to work?

Hull Barret: Oh no, I couldn’t ask you to, uh… Well, I mean, ya know – maybe if there was somethin’ spiritual.

The Preacher: Well, that Spirit ain’t worth spit without a little exercise. Now you tell me where.

~Pale Rider (1985)

The alarming, effervescent, energizing, and contagious freedom of the saints flows from their having learned this lesson. They no longer gauge their actions or decisions by what other people will think of them. And so they don’t live in fear, instability, and hesitancy. Rather, they have discovered that God’s love for them is as firm as the mountains (as the Psalms tell us). They don’t need to earn it; they just humbly accept it. And once they do, it propels them to echo and reflect it spontaneously and joyfully, regardless of the consequences.

~Fr John Bartunek, LC, STL, “A Question about the Litany of Humility in Lent – How can I be freed from the desire of being loved?”

We are disciples of Jesus Christ whose power and influence reach to most corners of the world. We are called to bring healing, help and hope to the places where it is needed most, especially to the most vulnerable of our fellow members of the Body of Christ. We, too, have the Spirit of the Lord upon us, and we have been anointed to embody the mission of Christ in our lives and in our world.

This is our destiny; this is what we are called to do. The greatest tragedy of all would be for us to settle for anything less.

~Francis Gunn, OFM from “Thoughts on Impact of Haiti’s Catastrophe“

St. Francis was accustomed not to pass over any visitation of the Spirit with negligence. When indeed such was offered, he followed it, and as long as the Lord would permit, he would enjoy the sweetness offered him. When, therefore, while he was pressed by some business or was intent upon a journey, he would taste the sweetest manna in frequent snatches.

~Celano, Second Life, Chapter LXI (via a post on the blog Portiuncula: the Little Portion)