800 Years of Grace

      April 16, 1209 - April 16  B  2009

 The 8th Centenary of the Founding
of the Franciscan Order

     On April 16, 2009, Franciscans all over the world will commemorate an historic milestone – the 800th anniversary of the approval of the first Franciscan Rule of Life by Pope Innocent III.   With this papal approbation, the small band of “Penitents from Assisi” became a Church-approved religious family, the Franciscan First Order (the Friars Minor),   A few years later, following the Holy Spirit’s guiding light, St. Francis would found his Second Order (the Poor Clares) and then a Third Order, which eventually flowered into the Third Order Regular and the Secular Franciscans.  It all began so very simply, as the Seraphic Father himself explained in his Testament:

And then the Lord gave me some brothers.

            Francis had not expected anyone to follow him when he began following Christ “in earnest.”  Having publicly renounced all things, he had set out, clad in a hermit’s rough garment, as the “Herald of the Great King,” serving lepers, begging for food, proclaiming Christ’s message of penance and peace.  Francis’ imperturbable serenity in the face of scorn and misunderstanding was inspiring.  His obvious joy in following Christ was irresistible, drawing others to come after him on the same Gospel path.  We know the names of these first followers: Bernard, Peter, Giles.  We also know, for Francis has told us, that

the Most High Himself revealed to me that I should live
according to the pattern of the Holy Gospel.

            Francis’ total turning to Christ was the fruit of his whole-hearted openness to the message of the Gospel.  This is what I want, this is what I seek, this is what I desire with all my heart, the Little Poor Man declared on hearing the Gospel explained.  This is what we want, this is what we seek, this is what we desire with all our heart is what Francis’ first followers declared as they saw the Gospel come alive in him.   And when they numbered twelve, Francis did what any loyal son of the Church would do: he set out for Rome with his humble band to seek the Pope’s approval of their Gospel quest.

And I had this (form of life) written down simply and in a few words
and the Lord Pope confirmed it for me.

            The text of the primitive Franciscan Rule has not come down to us, but we know it was composed mainly of quotations from the Gospel, with some directions for a common life of prayer, poverty and penance.  We also know that initially the “beggar man” from Assisi was not well received by most of the Roman Curia.  How could anyone, they asked the Pope, dare to live like this man proposed – doing penance, preaching peace, depending on Providence for his daily bread?  It was impossible!  Ah! but with God, it WAS wholly possible!  So Pope Innocent III gave his approval – and the rest is history!

 

            Please join the Franciscan family in thanking God for the good beginning He gave us and pray with us that we may always remain faithful to our Seraphic Father’s Gospel vision.  Popes and paupers, princes and peasants, nobles and beggars have found and still find a place in the great peace-loving army of St. Francis.  And, they always will.  For God, who has done such great things in His servant Francis, delights to do great things in Francis’ followers, that through them His message of hope and peace may continue to resound through all the world.

 

    Thanks be to God, ALLELUIA!   

 

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