As the Church celebrates the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4, it is an opportunity to remember and reflect on the influence of St. Francis and the Franciscans in St. Angela’s life. In her book Angela’s Alphabet, Sr. Ignatius Stone reflected on “how a Franciscan influence stayed with Angela most of her life.”
Certainly, her decision to become a member of the Third Order of St. Francis rooted Angela deeply in a Franciscan spirituality: humility and poverty of spirit, finding God in all creation, simplicity and joy, devotion to the Passion of Jesus, and peacemaking. It was the Franciscans who asked her to go to Brescia in 1516 to console a widow during her time of grief and loss – a request which resulted in Brescia becoming “home” for Angela and influenced the direction her life would take. Her pilgrimages, too, had a “Franciscan flavor,” and, at the end of her life, she was buried in the simple clothing of the Franciscan tertiary that she had worn in the streets of Brescia.
As we celebrate the feast of St. Francis, here are a few quotes from him for pondering and prayer. Please share your reflections in the “Comments” section.
“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.”
“Do all you can to preach the gospel and if necessary use words!”
“We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer.”
“Help me to live this day, quietly, easily. To lean upon your great strength, trustfully, restfully. To wait for the unfolding of your will, patiently, serenely. To meet others, peacefully, joyously. To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously.”
I feel so comforted and affirmed in what Francis is saying ….. do not worry about finding words ….. just truly be in the present moment …. be the Gospel.
In my 89th year words are somewhat elusive for me. Names and titles are even more difficult to find and use. I must be content “to preach the gospel without words’ especially when I think I have something to say, New lessons all the time( Pauline L. osu