THEOLOGY

Hallmarks of Franciscan Spirituality



Hallmarks of Franciscan Spirituality

My spiritual formation has been influenced heavily by the Franciscans over the years.  The first spiritual director I ever had was a Franciscan priest serving in the mountains of North Carolina.  Over the years I have read plenty of biographies and writings about Francis and Clare.  I have followed various websites from Franciscan monasteries, and of course the Third Order Franciscan.

Today the Franciscan Order flourishes throughout the world. The spirit of the Franciscan tradition is recognized as one of joy, gratitude, and care for the poor. The lives of the brothers and sisters witness to the transforming power of God's love in human lives and to the wondrous giftedness of creation. The focus on the love and the goodness of God manifested in all creation, and on our free response to God's grace is an important foundation for Franciscan self-understanding. This spirit is, perhaps, best exemplified in Francis's Canticle of the Creatures, a song for our times when reverence for creation is critical for a sustainable world and environment.

Poverty

When Poverty is said it conveys the humiliation that Francis had in his life. In imitating Christ, he literally followed the way of Christ. All the acts of his life were conformed to Christ. He never took a chance to be honored (Regis, 2006). Instead he always sought to be the least among the least. He so much humbles himself that he was known as “little brother.” He eventually approached Pope Innocent III in Rome with the form of poor to approve him and his “little brothers” were doing. The then Pope denied him at first due to his outlook. However he later received him with the help of “Bishop Guido of Assisi and Cardinal Giovani”. Francis's way of appeal to Pope is also worth noting. His requests go on and say, “Holy Father, we want you to approve our rule and consider us the lowest servants of the Catholic Church.”

Among Evangelical Churches, as far as it is concerned, there have been a number of conflicts until even church split occurred for the sake of trying to snatch a competent position in church organizational offices. Why should there be such a greed conflict within the church itself. It causes two side bad effects: it bothers the church growth when the church is not in one heart or when split and it bothers people who would like to come and observe Christians are doing in the church. It is so because it leaves a bad image to the church. It has become a stumbling block to many (Madge, 2007).

The church should not forget the Master Jesus to whom she is being transformed. He left the glory of all in heaven and came to the earth taking the form of being nothingness. He then took the humblest suffering which is death. However, He is now seated on the right hand of the Father almighty. He is glorified because he had suffered and sacrificed His ...