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The Life of Francis of Assisi: Is Franciscanism Relevant Today?

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The Life of Francis of Assisi: Is Franciscanism Relevant Today? POTCHEFSTROOMSE UNlVERSlTElT VIR CHRlSTELlKE HOER ONDERWYS in association with Greenwich School of Theology U.K. The Life of Francis of Assisi: Is Franciscanism Relevant Today? Brother James Scott, o.st.~..K.s.c., B.A. (Hons.), D.Litt. A Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Magister Artium in Dogmatics at the Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir Christelike Hoer Ondetwys. Supervisor G.S.T.: Revd. Dr. W. Baldwin Co-Supervisor P.U. for C.H.E.: Professor J.M. Vorster Potchefstroom March 2002. ABSTRACT Key Terms: Animals; Deacon; Humility; Lepers; Martyrdom; Poverty; Service; Simplicity; Stigmata, St. Francis. Francis of Assisi is a much-loved saint whose followers come from different backgrounds and who are inspired to live the Gospel life. Francis' story is obscure but this dissertation seeks to understand Francis' life and examines his influence through the lives of others amongst whom are: P Mother Theresa of Calcutta; P Anthony of Padua; P Padre Pio; P Maximilian Kolbe; P Charles de Foucauld; and P John Bradburne. Francis' vision was unambiguous and it challenges our values. His simple faith, Catholic tradition, evangelistic principles and radical freedom were fundamental qualities, which suited him to God's call to renew His church. Those same qualities are still needed today. Like all young men Francis loved life, was often inclined to be irresponsible and who entered military service without proper thought. Whilst imprisoned in Perugia God began his transformation and called him to, "go and repair my housejY. Francis saw in creation objects of love that led him back to God. He preached to the animals but his concern was for people. During the Crusades Francis was a peacemaker during the Crusades and following that example Pope John Paul II made a plea for peace between the Muslims, Jews and Christians whilst visiting Damascus on the 6th1 7thMay 2001. Francis' enduring influence comes from his own understanding of the problems of materialism that we face in the west. Western culture is one of 'super-development'that is at odds with happiness. Status gives us prestige but also a craving for more power and possessions when we ought to be educating the poor and eliminating hunger and suffering. The result is a spiritual void in which we ask, 'is this all that there is or is there something more?' Whilst the church's membership in the west has declined the reverse is true in the former eastern bloc countries, China, Asia and Africa and their Catholic seminaries are full. The cults like those of Charles Manson, the Davidics, or the Jehovah's Witnesses and the 'New Age' are growing. They claimed to have sole possession of the truth. Sects, however, are not new and have been around since the church's earliest days. Francis was well aware of the heretical sects of the Waldensians and Humiliati. Franciscanism continues growing, evolving, and renewing itself. The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal was established in the 1980's and they work extensively with the poor and marginalized particularly in New York and London. If the church is to be true to the Gospel in the Third Millennium it too must accept that challenge. Francis teaches that Christians must not to live in a self-satisfying, self- serving way, that they must be Christ centred and that they must submit to the will of God. Lastly when they make life choices they should ask the following questions: 9 Does the Father want this for me? 9 Does this please the Father? CONTENTS chapter One - ~ntroduction chapter Two - he ~ifeof St. ~rancis > AS A Young Man > St. Franci s the soldier > vocation -Commencement > St. Francis the pilgrim > he Beginnings of a New ~ommunity > Deacon > ~aint lar re > Family Background > lar re's vocation > spi ritual i ty > ~heologyof clare > ~iftsof prophecy and ~ealing > clare's ~nduringLegacy PART TWO > he hi rd order > he ~uleof ~ife > in is try and the hi rd order > he hi rd order Today PART THREE > he Anglican ran cis cans 5 5 > ~ackground 56 > social Conscience and ran cis can ism 58 > New ~eginnings 63 > he Sisters 66 > he Companions 68 chapter ~hree- scholars and ~ranciscans: Are hey cornpati ble? 70 PART TWO > St. ~nthonyof padua > Anthony the ran cis can > ~efenderof the ~aith > worker of wonders and ~iracles > Anthony's Last Days Chapter Four - Mission and the combat of Heresy - A Matter of probity 108 > ~ission 109 9 Crusades 114 9 he problem of Heresy 122 PART TWO 9 ath her Charles de ~oucauld 138 9 Return to the old 140 > A universal roth her 144 P ~harles'Legacy 148 Chapter ~ive- Lepers - the Challenge caring for the sick and the Outcast P ending the sick PART TWO > ~ohn~radburne - vagabond of God 161 P ~emoband coming Home 162 P ~ohn~rrives in Africa 165 P A Servant and a poet 171 9 roth her John becomes a Martyr 173 P One Last surprise 175 chapter Six - ~ota1~edication of ~ife 180 P he ~irst christmas crib > saint ran cis' Last Message PART TWO P Maximi 1i an ~olbe P Maximilian Enters the order of ~riarsMinor P Protector of Our ~ady P Maxi mi1 i an the Missi onary P ~i1ter ~nvadespoland chapter Seven - Charisma and the Stigmata P pi ritual ~ifts P Mount La Verna P he Last Days > canticle of Brother Sun PART TWO P Padre ~io 224 P Stri ct Compassi on 2 30 P suffering for the ~aith 2 31 P An Important Letter 234 > he ~ffectsof padre ~ioContinues 235 Chapter Eight - Conclusion Appendix A Appendix 6 6ibl og raphy Acknowl edgement CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION "The Life of Francis of Assisi: Is Franciscanism Relevant Today?" Christianity can offer the vast riches of three centuries in the light of Franciscan spirituality to those who call upon her in their pilgrimage. Saint Francis of Assisi was challenged by the call from the Cross in the church of San Damiano's and he then recognized Christ as the true Way. In obedience he became a pilgrim in following that Way and has left for us the well-worn path that many have travelled before and yet many more will travel in the future. St. Francis is a well-loved figure in history. His followers come from many different backgrounds. "Spanish, Danish, Japanese, American - people of all nationalities and cultures have struggled to tell this medieval Italian's story and to communicate what they see as his secretJ'. (Armstrong, 1994: 13) His concerns are still the same concerns that we all share today. This is probably why he has had such an enduring effect on the Christian church over the last 800 years. A devout son of the Catholic Church, Saint Francis saw himself as a little brother of Jesus of Nazareth. His example would lead to the founding of many religious orders: congregations and societies that would all call upon Francis as their patron. This Franciscan family has served the church for over 800 years. Arnold and Fry in their work (1990: 9) state that: "It is ironic that Francis, who was fervent in his obedience to the Roman Catholic Church, has been looked upon by both Protestant and Catholic reformers as a primary inspiration to return to the pure roots of the Gospel of Christ from which the early apostolic church first received the strength to grow and flower". This work has been undertaken by one who has himself been affected by Saint Francis' inspiration and by his encouragement to persevere in trying to live the Gospel life. In endeavouring to be faithful to the challenge one senses a sharing in, and becoming part of, the 'apostolic vision'. In today's world which thirsts for the spiritual, which rejects the traditional and the established, but drinks from the wells of contemporary and new age religions, St. Francis of Assisi, through his inspiring example of apostolic purity, points the way to salvation through Christ Jesus. Many of our young people in their spiritual deprivation have turned to drugs, to cults and experience-centred groups. Whilst others have committed themselves to journey on the Christian highway. Each year thousands of young Christian people flock to the Taize Community in France, to receive true spiritual guidance from the simplicity of the worship and life style that has much in common with the Franciscan life. St. Francis' faith is neither the faith of complicated dogma nor the teachings of theologians. He possessed a simple faith that was overawed by the mystery of God made man. Francis was deeply rooted in the Scriptures, and was able, therefore, to speak not just to Catholic faithful, but also to those Protestant reformers of more fundamental leanings. The view being expressed here is that St. Francis' example of Christian living has the ability to heal the wounds of the sin of division and thereby can reunite Christendom. From this new position of church unity, Christianity can truly be more effective in discharging her duty to the poor, the hungry, the destitute and the bringing about of a fair society together with compassionate justice. His is a radical call: today we need radical solutions. The story of St. Francis, whose name some may feel comes second only to that of Christ Himself, has unfortunately become somewhat obscure. Strange as it may seem, well meaning individuals who have tried to justify their particular points of view by citing poor Francis are often to blame for that obscurity. Yet St. Francis' vision was unambiguous and he was uncompromising in following his call to live the Gospel life. Many from Francis' circle of friends felt him to be mentally deranged (Brother Kenneth, CGA, 1981: 128).
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