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Blessings upon you, dear soul, for you have come seeking solace and guidance on your spiritual journey. I am Saint Francis of Assisi, known for my unwavering devotion to God, my love for all creation, and my humble embrace of poverty as a means of drawing closer to the divine. In the arms of our Lord, I found profound joy, and it is my deepest desire to share the wisdom I gained with you, a beloved child of God.
My dear friend,
May peace and abundant blessings be showered upon you, both in the moments of profound sadness and enduring suffering. Please be aware that you are never solitary in your arduous battles, for countless others stand beside you, offering unwavering support. Embracing God’s divine Providence might not always come effortlessly, yet it is precisely in these moments of unparalleled adversity that the true measure of our faith is put to the ultimate test, allowing it to flourish and grow stronger than ever before.
During his conversion, St. Francis faced intense opposition from his family, who tried to bring him back home. At a town meeting in Assisi, he renounced his claims to wealth by giving his clothes back to his father. This marked the beginning of his conversion. Francis embraced apostolic poverty and, while praying at the chapel of San Damiano, heard Christ’s voice commanding him to repair the church. He sold his father’s belongings to fund the renovation. Francis also mixed with lepers and experienced a vision where Christ advised him to abandon human glory. His father took him to trial, leading to his complete renunciation of ties to his father’s wealth. With a strong belief in God’s providence, Francis proclaimed his way of life as living the Gospel. He received a vision of a life of poverty based on three Scriptural texts. The Vatican approved this as the Rule/ideal of the Franciscan Order, although the order eventually strayed from its founder’s original intentions. Francis constantly reaffirmed his belief and dedication through prayer and contemplation.
God’s plans are always beyond our full understanding. They are neither our plans nor our ways. But when accidents and not the plans we have made teach us not to advance self-confidently but rather to trust, God’s Providence has not forsaken us. For to entrust ourselves to God’s priorities, we must surrender and learn to depend entirely upon him. This was the crisis that Father Leonard describes in the lives of many saints, particularly St. Ignatius. At first his plans to sew up a serious wound so that he could continue leading people spiritually were constantly being upset. Recognizing that this was not God’s will, he took the same needle and used it to pierce his own wounded body so that he was forced to withdraw and live in seclusion. At this time, the wound healed. It is important to take evolution of plans as an indication of God’s guiding force as Francis demonstrates in the final letter to all the friars: But I beg you, my brothers, for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, to pay all the more heed to your future and to the things God has called you to. Live the Lord and spirit and you will be the servants of good, avoiding your worldly ways. May God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you, preserve you, and lead you to the lot to serve. Although, at this time the vow made to Pope Innocent III had not been repudiated, it is evident from this letter that Francis felt called by God to something different for himself and his followers.
Since St. Francis had found freedom and joy in surrendering everything, he was interested in exploring what it was that ultimately kept people from completely surrendering to God’s will. What came to him was that it was a lack of trust in God. Trust in God’s love and God’s goodness brings a peace that nothing else can give. Francis frequently used such phrases as “We have a Father” and “our most high Father” when speaking of God, for he had learned to trust God as a Father. In speaking of perfect joy, Francis said, “A man truly rejoices when he has done that which is good for the Lord and nothing else.” This also was something Francis had learned through his experiences. When it came time to make a decision, for example, to go beg for food for his brothers, and he knew he was doing God’s will, he did so with such confidence even during times of extreme difficulty that he would say, “It is God’s will” and could break out into song in the streets. He had found a peace and joy that was steadfast regardless of the many hardships he endured. This was the fruit of trust in God’s providential care. He was so convinced of the need for trust as the key to surrender that he wrote an entire Admonition about “Perfect Joy”. This Admonition, revealing Francis’ own growing trust and joy through his experiences, provides a clear contrast to the earlier Rule that spoke of penance and suffering. Through his reasoning, Francis came to realize the importance of surrendering his own will and desires for the will of God, the same thing which Christ had done. This then was the life of true discipleship.
In times of great turmoil, the life of St. Francis illustrates that embracing God’s will can be in itself a means of finding consolation. In trying to discover what God would want him to do, St. Francis often sought out quiet places and a spirit of recollection. Famously, he entered the partially ruined St. Damian’s Church to pray before the crucifix. It was here that he heard Christ speak to him from the cross: “Francis, rebuild my church.” At first, he took this literally and began to rebuild the church with his own hands, but he gradually came to understand that it had a far wider implication. This was a turning point in his life, and indeed for the church. His understanding of this command was that God wanted him to make a new and vital difference to the church, both the institution and the body of people. This was the beginning of the Franciscan Order, for though he never formally left the church, he had a far-reaching effect on the religion of his day. In trying to do what was right, St. Francis often found himself appreciating instruction from others. Recognizing the need for guidance when the times are hard is often something we overlook, thinking we know best how to solve our problems. But St. Francis believed the answers to our prayers come through what God wants us to do; we just need the wisdom to understand them. One excellent example of this was during a time when he was torn between which of two tasks was more pleasing to God. He asked his most trusted follower to go to pray in one church and St. Francis would pray in the other. After a period of time, they were to return and tell each other which choice seemed the best. This way, they believed God would make it known to them without the other’s judgment clouding the answer.
Considering the potential actions we can undertake, individuals can be confident that incorporating them into their everyday existence will lead to a more gratifying journey. Although it may seem uncomplicated, there exist certain straightforward measures that can be followed to guarantee the transformation of these practices into lifelong habits. The initial stage in embracing any of these practices is to express appreciation. The renowned figure St. Francis was acknowledged for his perpetual gratitude towards the Lord, consistently offering gratitude for even the tiniest blessings bestowed upon him. Cultivating a more appreciative mindset will create opportunities to welcome these practices and ensure their steadfast integration into one’s life.
In the light of this, the years of Francis’ life were spent in continuous praise to God. He was often heard repeating Psalm 136, “Praise the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endures forever” and the The Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon is just another example of a hymn to God through His Creation: “Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness… Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.”
Once, there existed a tale of St. Francis and a fellow brethren grappling with the notion that God was neglecting their well-being. This companion confided in Francis, who quipped, “How peculiar, I too have experienced such sentiments. We must convene as a trio and revive our memories of God’s benevolence towards us.” Francis astutely acknowledged that forgetfulness is a formidable adversary against gratitude, obscuring our vision of past blessings.
Francis’ method of dealing with this was to remind his brother of the good things God has done for them, knowing that this would be the best way to dislodge the negative feelings that have accumulated and lighten the heart. And if a person finds he is unable to recall numerous things, he should concentrate on even just one individual blessing and the mere thought of it will lead on to another. He who does not have a grateful heart even for a small blessing will not step up to receive a greater one. And through recounting the blessings of the past, the brothers would come to realize how they have received every good thing from God and nothing from themselves save sin.
The message of St. Francis’ life is that in order to find true peace and contentment in God, one must be humble and detached. Humility is the defining virtue of St. Francis’ character and the foundation for his entire philosophy. St. Francis was a man with no pretenses and was always true to himself. Throughout his life, St. Francis exhibited a rare and pure humility that was the result of his love for Christ. The humility of St. Francis was manifested in two characteristics: simplicity of speech and the treatment of oneself and others as equals. St. Francis had the gift of speaking in a manner that pierced straight to the heart, and his speech was always simple, direct, and sincere. He communicated with others straightforwardly, free from empty verbosity and always in reference to the edification of the soul. His speech was a reflection of purity in his heart and respect for the listener. St. Francis’ humility in treating himself and others as equals was displayed by his constant struggle to aid the poor and oppressed. He often referred to himself as Brother Francis in order to identify himself with the rest of humanity and urged his followers not to seek positions of power or wealth. St. Francis’ embracing of Lady Poverty was a deliberate act to identify and unite himself with the poor and an act that flew in the face of the ecclesiastical establishment of his time. In eating and drinking, waking and sleep, in work and in words, and with everything he had and wherever he happened to be, St. Francis always desired to make God his companion. Through this simple, humble way of living, St. Francis became the living example of the gospel.
Saint Francis’ mission to serve others began in a small church, where he heard a voice coming from a crucifix telling him to “go and rebuild my church, which you see is falling down”. Francis took this literally, believing that God’s mission was for him to repair the building. Although he later came to understand that the mission was to actually rebuild the Church, Francis’ life was dedicated to service to others. He founded the Franciscans, which was a group of missionary friars who lived without possessions and in poverty, serving others. He was able to repair the Church by leading by example and through his creation of influential orders. He once said that if the Franciscans traveled the world, they would find themselves welcome everywhere.
Saint Francis believed that the essence of evangelical perfection is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. In Luke 10:30-37, Jesus demonstrates that the essence of true love is sacrifice. He explains that our neighbor is anyone with whom we come into contact. In order to build a society where people can trust in one another, we should reach out and perform acts of self-sacrificing love for people in need. This also involves removing societal barriers, which often prevent us from having to associate with the poor and oppressed.
Being with God in nature the way Saint Francis did changes one’s perspective on life and helps them feel closer to God. There’s something to be said about experiencing primary elements in life without the distractions from society. Whether going into the woods or walking along a beach, being in nature helps to clear one’s head and enables one to concentrate and feel life without the daily stress and anxiety it may bring. For Saint Francis and for anyone paying attention in nature, it is difficult not to notice the work of God and feel a sense of love and appreciation coming from the creator. In connecting with nature, Saint Francis found a profound appreciation for life, and the natural setting became the perfect backdrop for him to embrace God’s providence. As a way to embrace God’s providence in all things, Saint Francis felt the need to extend his affection for and quality time spent in nature to all creatures. During a sermon to birds, Saint Francis tells the birds how they are precious to God and encourages them to be joyful and thankful. “My brother and sister birds, you should praise your Creator,” he would call to them, “and always love him: he gave you feathers for clothes, wings to fly, and all other things that you need. It is God who made you free, providing rivers and lakes to quench your thirst, mountains and valleys in which to seek refuge, and trees in which to build nests and as a source of food.” By respecting all creatures as brothers and sisters in this way, Saint Francis illustrated his great respect and gratitude for all things coming from God. The nature setting provides a chance to embrace God’s providence and love, and the relationships formed in nature may leave lasting effects on those who take the time to venture out.
Psalm 34:18:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18, an enlightening passage from the sacred scriptures, serves as a poignant reminder that our omnipotent and compassionate God remains intimately close to those who find themselves in a state of profound brokenness, their hearts fractured and in need of solace. In His boundless lovingkindness, He extends His divine arms of comfort and assurance, reaching out to those burdened by overwhelming agony and desolation, offering salvation to those on the precipice of hopelessness. It is in these very moments of deepest despair that the Almighty manifests His unwavering presence, draped in an ethereal mantle of unwavering love and unwaveringly committed to delivering redemption and renewal to His beloved children.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
In moments of hardship and sorrow, when our hearts are heavy and laden, we always seek solace and fortitude from You, divine Creator. It is in Your encompassing presence that we discover comfort, reassurance, and unwavering support. We humbly implore You to guide us as we wholeheartedly embrace Your celestial blueprint, acknowledging that everything unfolds in accordance with Your flawless design for our existence. May our confidence in Your wisdom and guidance continue to flourish with each passing day.
Oh, Higher Power, we approach You with perturbed hearts, burdened by the concerns, anxieties, and apprehensions we bear. We lay them all at Your feet, recognizing Your ability to shoulder our troubles and Your willingness to do so. Bestow upon us the grace to surrender our struggles into Your capable grasp, for You are the wellspring of genuine strength and rejuvenation.
Amid our tribulations, may Your presence envelop us like a soothing embrace, enveloping our troubled hearts with tranquility. Your love is unwavering, and we find solace in knowing that Your proximity is constant, even during our bleakest moments. Grant us the resolve to remain resolute in our faith, comprehending that Your intentions for us are virtuous, even when they elude our comprehension.
Great Creator, we humbly express our heartfelt gratitude for the generous blessings You have graciously bestowed upon us. We value Your eternal love and benevolence that consistently uplift us in our daily lives. As we navigate the challenges of existence, may we always find solace in Your omnipotent presence and draw strength from Your guidance. Our unwavering faith lies in the assurance that You will never abandon or forsake us, as You are our sanctuary and bedrock.
In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Jesus has prepared something extraordinary for those ready to take the next step in faith and abundance. With this gift, you’ll discover renewed hope, prosperity, and the strength to overcome life’s greatest challenges.