franciscan

• Franciscan Spirituality


  A spiritual tradition based on the life and teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi
• Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone was born in Assisi, Italy, in 1181. His father was a wealthy businessman who, at the age of 25, gave up his lavish life to live a simple religious life
• Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone's actions


  He would go off into the woods around his hometown for months at a time, only to return to the community and spend time among the sick and poor to preach repentance and compassion
• Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone met people with similar beliefs along the road, and these people eventually formed the first Order of Friars Minor
• First Franciscan brotherhood regulations


  Included giving up all personal belongings, begging for sustenance, and sharing whatever they did acquire
• Pope Innocent III gave Francis and his brothers permission to formally establish their new order in 1209
• After passing away in 1226, Francis was declared a saint in 1228
• The Order of Friars Minor is a mendicant Catholic religious order, founded in 1209 by Francis of Assisi
• The Order of Friars Minor is considered the successor to the original Franciscan Order within the Catholic Church and is the largest of the contemporary First Orders within the Franciscan movement
• Main branches of Franciscan Spirituality

  • Order of Friars Minor
  • Poor Clares
  • Third Order Regular
• The Poor Clares, officially the Order of Saint Clare, are members of an enclosed order of nuns in the Roman Catholic Church
• The Third Order Regular of Saint Francis traces its historical and spiritual origins to the ancient Order of Penance and the medieval penitential movements
• The Letter to the Faithful embodies the elemental rule of life for lay people living in the world who follow the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis
• These three branches of Franciscan Spirituality each have their own unique charism and expression of the Franciscan way of life. Within each branch, there are numerous congregations
• Main branches of Franciscan Spirituality

  • First Order
  • Second Order
  • Third Order Regular
• Each branch of Franciscan Spirituality has its own unique charism and expression of the Franciscan way of life
• Groups within each branch of Franciscan Spirituality

  • Numerous congregations, communities, and associations
• Charism


  A personal gift of the Spirit used for the good of all the Church
• When a charism is approved by the Pope, it is said to participate in the official mission of the Church in making Christ present in the world
• Charism of St. Francis of Assisi


  To simply live the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ
• Franciscan Charism


  • Poverty, Brotherhood, Creation Love, Prayer
• Simplicity and Poverty in Franciscan Charism


  Christ is poor because he chose to be, Franciscans embody this through their vow of poverty, sharing everything in common and not owning anything personally
• Brotherhood and Community in Franciscan Charism


  Franciscans embody a strong sense of brotherhood and community, akin to the New Testament teachings on Christian fellowship
• Love for Creation in Franciscan Charism


  Characterized by a deep love and respect for all creation, recognizing animals and plants as brothers and sisters
• Prayer and Contemplation in Franciscan Charism

  Emphasizes prayer and contemplation, fostering a deep, personal relationship with Christ