A VISION FOR FRANCISCAN LIFE - AN EXAMINATION OF THE THIRD ORDER RULE by MARTINA GERTRUD ANNELIESE SEILER submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF THEOLOGY in the subject CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: DR J L COYLE JUNE 2013 Summary The dissertation is a critical reflection on the relevance of Franciscan spirituality over eight centuries with special focus on the Third Order Regular. This spirituality is rooted in the life and writings of St Francis and St Clare of Assisi and their experience of the kenotic Christ. The Franciscan charism prevails in the world today as a living response to God’s transforming love which is expressed in a ministry of loving service and solidarity with the poor and marginalised – re-enacting Francis’ radical conversion when he embraced the leper. The Third Order Regular, inspired by Vatican II which called for a return to the charism of religious founders, returned to its roots with the revised Rule of 1982 based on the writings of Francis and Clare and grounded in Sacred Scripture. The Rule’s vision corresponds with the 1996 document Vita Consecrata on consecrated life and its mission to be prophetic witnesses to Christ today. Key terms Francis and Clare of Assisi Friars Minor Poor Clares Third Order Regular of St Francis Kenotic Christ Metanoia Penance Gospel life Christo-centrism Consecrated life ii Table of contents Page numbers Summary and key terms ii Table of contents iii - v Acknowledgements vi Declaration vii Abbreviations viii - x iii 1. Introduction 1 1.1 The research question (motivation for study) 1 1.2 The aim of the dissertation 5 1.3 Development of the design and methodology 7 1.4 Scope or demarcation of the dissertation 7 1.5 Literature review 8 1.5.1 Crucial literature on Franciscan spirituality 8 1.5.2 Literature on Franciscan spirituality and its development in medieval times 11 1.5.3 Literature on the history of the Third Order Regular of St Francis and its Rule 11 1.5.4 Literature on the newly revised TOR Rule and its relationship to the writings of Francis and Clare 12 1.5.5 Literature on the application of the newly revised TOR Rule for Franciscan Gospel life today 13 2. Franciscan spirituality and its development in medieval times 14 2.1 The foundation of Franciscan Gospel life in the footsteps of Christ 18 2.2 The elements of Franciscan spirituality 25 2.2.1 In a life of penance 26 2.2.2 In a life of poverty and humility 28 2.2.3 In a community characterised by minority 31 2.2.4 On a world-wide mission 32 2.2.5 Life in and for the Church 33 2.2.6 Life with a contemplative dimension 34 2.3 The development of the Franciscan charism in the three Orders 35 2.3.1 The Order of Friars Minor – The First Order of St Francis 36 2.3.2 The Order of Poor Ladies / The Order of St Clare – The Second Order of St Francis 39 2.3.3 The Order of Penitents – The Third Order of St Francis 41 3. The history of the Third Order Regular of St Francis and its Rule 44 iv 4. The newly revised TOR Rule and its relationship to the writings of Francis and Clare 47 4.1 The Papal Approval Franciscanum Vitae Propositum 47 4.2 The Prologue: Words of St Francis to his followers (1LtF 1, 1-19) 48 4.3 In the Name of the Lord! Here begins the Rule and Life of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis 48 4.4 Acceptance into this Life 50 4.5 Spirit of Prayer 51 4.6 Life in Chastity for the Sake of the Reign of God 52 4.7 Way to Serve and Work 53 4.8 Life in Poverty 55 4.9 Fraternal Life 56 4.10 Obedience in Love 57 4.11 Apostolic Life 58 4.12 Exhortation and Blessing 61 5. The Rule’s vision for Franciscan Gospel life today 63 5.1 Witnessing Christ through a life of poverty, simplicity and sharing 67 5.2 Witnessing Christ as a community characterised by minority 67 5.3 Witnessing Christ by promoting dialogue and peace 68 5.4 Witnessing Christ through solidarity with the poor and marginalised 68 5.5 A creative witnessing of Christ through ministry to the world of the 21st century 69 5.6 Witnessing Christ through the contemplative aspect of the Franciscan Gospel life 70 6. Conclusion 72 Bibliography 73 Appendices 78 Appendix 1: RULE AND LIFE OF THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE THIRD ORDER REGULAR OF SAINT FRANCIS 78 Appendix 2: The Third Order Regular of St Francis in South Africa – 2012 90 v Acknowledgements I am deeply grateful to my supervisor, Dr Judith Coyle, of St Augustine’s College of South Africa, for guiding and encouraging me through this dissertation with her expertise and insights which she shared with me in so many critical ways and in such a generous spirit. My thanks to her are profound. I thank my community of Franciscan Nardini Sisters of the Holy Family at Nkandla for their support in making it possible for me to complete this dissertation, especially my superior, Sr Dr Ellen Lindner, for her sensitive understanding. My thanks also go to my editor, Sydney Duval, for his significant help with language and for urging me to persevere. When I showed signs of running out of steam he used wit and humour to keep me going. vi Declaration I declare that “A vision for Franciscan life – An examination of the Third Order Rule” is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references, Signed: ___________________________ at_______________ Date: ________________ Martina Gertrud Anneliese Seiler vii Abbreviations Sacred Scripture: Gen (Gn) Genesis Tb Tobit Ps Psalms Wis (Ws) Wisdom Mt The Gospel according to Matthew Mk The Gospel according to Mark Lk The Gospel according to Luke Jn The Gospel according to John Acts (Ac) The Acts of the Apostles Rm Romans 2 Cor (Co) 2 Corinthians Gal (Ga) Galatians Eph (Ep) Ephesians Phil (Ph) Philippians Col Colossians 1 Tim (1 Tm) 1 Timothy Jas (Jm) James 1 Pt (1 P) 1 Peter 1 Jn 1 John All biblical quotations and references have been taken from The New Jerusalem Bible. Writings of St Francis of Assisi: Adm The Admonitions (undated writings) CtC The Canticle of the Creatures (1225) ER The Earlier Rule (Regula non bullata) (1209/10-1221) LR The Later Rule (Regula bullata) (1223) 1LtCl The First Letter to the Clergy = Exhortations to the Clergy (Earlier Edition) (before 1219) 2LtCl The Second Letter to the Clergy = Exhortations to the Clergy (Later Edition) (1220) 1LtCus The First Letter to the Custodians (1220) 2LtCus The Second Letter to the Custodians (1220) 1LtF The First Letter to the Faithful = Earlier Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance (1209-1215) 2LtF The Second Letter to the Faithful = Later Admonition and Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance (1220?) LtMin A Letter to a Minister (1221-1223) LtOrd Letter to the Entire Order (1225-1226) LtR A Letter to the Rulers of the Peoples (1220) OfP The Office of the Passion (undated writings) PrOF A Prayer Inspired by the Our Father (Expositio in Pater Noster) (undated writings) RH A Rule for Hermitages (1217-1221) SalBVM A Salutation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (undated writings) SalV A Salutation of the Virtues (undated writings) Test The Testament of St Francis (1226) Writings of St Clare of Assisi: BlCl The Blessing of St Clare (1253) FLCl The Form of Life of St Clare (1253) 1LAg The First Letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague (1234) 2LAg The Second Letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague (1235) 3LAg The Third Letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague (1238) viii 4LAg The Fourth Letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague (1253) LEr The Letter to Ermentrude of Bruges (undated writings) TestCl The Testament of St Clare (1247-1253) Franciscan Sources: Francis of Assisi: AC The Assisi Compilation (1244-1260) AP The Anonymous of Perugia (1240-1241) 1C The Life of St Francis by Thomas of Celano (1228-1229) 2C The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul by Thomas of Celano (1245-1247) 3C The Treatise on the Miracles by Thomas of Celano (1250-1252) L3C The Legend of the Three Companions (1241-1247) LMj The Major Legend of St Francis by Bonaventure (1260-1263) ScEx The Sacred Exchange between St Francis and Lady Poverty (1237-1239) Clare of Assisi: BC The Bull of Canonization = The Papal Decree of Canonization (1254) FLHug The Form and Manner of Life of Cardinal Hugolino (1219) FLInn Form of Life of Pope Innocent IV (1247) LCl The Legend of St Clare (1255) PC2 The Acts of the Process of Canonization of Clare of Assisi (1253) PrPov The Privilege of Poverty of Pope Gregory IX (1228) The Three Orders of St Francis: The First Order: OFM Ordo Fratrum Minorum: The Order of Friars Minor OFMCap Ordo Fratrum Minorum Capuccinorum: The Order of Friars Minor Capuchins OFMConv Ordo Fratrum Minorum Conventualium: The Order of Friars Minor Conventuals The Second Order: OSC Ordo Sanctae Clarae: Order of St Clare OSCUrb Order of St Clare – Urbanist Clarisses OSCCol Order of St Clare – Colettines OSCCap Ordo Sanctae Clarae Capuccinorum: Order of St Clare Capuchinesses The Third Order: OFS Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis: Secular Franciscan Order (lay Order) TOR Tertius Ordo Regularis: Third Order Regular of St Francis (vowed Order) Church documents: Vatican II documents: AG Ad Gentes: The Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity (1965) LG Lumen Gentium: The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (1964) PC1 Perfectae Caritatis: Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life (1965) ix Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortations: AM Africae Munus: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in Africa in service to reconciliation, justice and peace (2011) VC Vita Consecrata: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Consecrated Life and its Mission in the Church and in the World (1996) Code of Canon Law: CIC Codex Iuris Canonici: Code of Canon Law (1983) x A vision for Franciscan life - An examination of the Third Order Rule 1.