Franciscan Pathway

Francis of Assisi heard Matthew 10:9 read at Mass in 1208 — "Take nothing for the road: no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no second tunic" — and took it literally. He gave away everything. In doing so he became the most beloved saint in the Church's history, and his charism is neither sentimentality nor mere nature-mysticism. It is radical Gospel living: the imitation of Christ's poverty, the recognition of God in creation, and fraternal love that does not distinguish between the honoured and the despised. The Canticle of Creatures — the first great poem in the Italian language — is Francis's theological statement. Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Wind, Sister Water, Brother Fire: creation is not a backdrop to the spiritual life but a vehicle of God's presence. His encounter with the leper, whom he had previously crossed the road to avoid, changed everything. He saw Christ in what had previously disgusted him. This pathway moves through the Franciscan arc from creation to poverty to service to the Passion to peace to joy.