Editorial

It’s time for another Franciscan renewal

“Laudato Si’, mi’ Signore”—“Praise be to you, my Lord.” In the words of this beautiful canticle, St. Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. (Pope Francis, “Laudato Si’: On Care of Our Common Home,” #1)

Today is Oct. 4, the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis can truly be called a saint for all seasons, but he is relevant to this season, the third decade of the 21st century. Why? Because the virtues that St. Francis was known for are especially needed today.

Francis was a man of peace—but wars, or the effects of war, are everywhere today. He was a man who loved the poor—but poverty, homelessness and class struggles continue year after year. Francis was open to dialogue with those who disagreed with him—but our political discourse today is full of rancor and incivility.

Francis of Assisi dedicated his whole life to praising God and loving his fellow creatures. He showed reverence and respect for everyone and everything that God has made. He identified with outcasts, and he brought healing and joy to those who were afflicted with hopeless diseases like leprosy.

G.K. Chesterton, in his wonderful “spiritual biography” of this great saint, recalls how Francis began as a romantic young man, “a colorful troubadour” who loved poetry and ballads, who spent his wealthy father’s money extravagantly and who seemed to enjoy life to the fullest. Then God intervened in his life in the person of a poor beggar seeking alms. The young man’s eyes were opened to “a world beyond himself,” and he vowed to embrace poverty and live a life of radical simplicity.

When Christ first spoke to young Francis, he asked him to “rebuild my Church.” Francis took him literally, and immediately he began restoring the dilapidated church of San Damiano outside the city walls of Assisi. Later, it became clear that what the Lord had in mind was an infinitely more extensive rebuilding, a renewal of the whole Church from the inside out, guided by the Holy Spirit and touching every aspect of Christian life.

As Chesterton describes it, St. Francis undertook this renewal with a great sense of humility and generosity, with joy and compassion, and with an ardent love for all of God’s creation. Francis was a man of vision who shared in the suffering of Christ (the stigmata) and who inspired thousands of followers—during his lifetime and up to our present day—to live simply and joyfully as he did.

The kind of renewal that St. Francis ignited in 13th-century Italy was seen this past summer on July 17–21 during the National Eucharistic Congress that took place in Indianapolis. An estimated 50,000 people were “on fire” with the love of Christ—really present in the great sacrament of his body and blood—and, as a result, they committed themselves to the ongoing work of missionary discipleship.

Pope Francis calls for Catholics in every region of the universal Church to embrace the baptismal call to share the joy of the Gospel and to be Spirit-filled evangelizers who never hesitate to proclaim our salvation in Christ.

At his first audience on March 16, 2013, Pope Francis said that he had chosen his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi and that he had done so because he was especially concerned for the well-being of the poor. The Holy Father recounted that right after the election one of the cardinals had told him, “Don’t forget the poor,” and that made him think of St. Francis of Assisi. It was the first time a pope has taken the name Francis.

Concern for the poor, love for all creation, respect for migrants and refugees, eucharistic devotion, enthusiastic proclamation of the joy of the Gospel—all of these and more are Franciscan themes. They are reflected in the life of the saint from Assisi and in the teaching and ministry of our current pope. These Franciscan themes have a certain urgency in our world today and in our Church’s response to the needs of people everywhere.

As we remember this great saint today, let’s do more than just talk. Francis was above all a man of action. He delivered on all his promises, and he fulfilled the admonition attributed to him: Preach the Gospel always. When necessary, use words.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us. Inspire us to follow your example in our actions and our words.

—Daniel Conway