FRANCISCAN FAMILY

ORIGINSORIGINS

EARLIEST SOURCESEARLIEST SOURCES Life of Saint FrancisLife of Saint Francis 1228-29

Legend of the Three Legend of the Three CompanionsCompanions 1241-47

Legend of PerugiaLegend of Perugia 1240-41

LATER SOURCESLATER SOURCES Major LifeMajor Life 1263

Little Flowers of St FrancisLittle Flowers of St Francis

1337

LIFE OF ST FRANCISLIFE OF ST FRANCISFriar Thomas of Friar Thomas of

CelanoCelano12281228

nn. 36-37nn. 36-37

LIFE OF ST FRANCISLIFE OF ST FRANCIS

The laity were converted by:The laity were converted by:► the life and teaching of the life and teaching of

FrancisFrancis► his discipline and leadershiphis discipline and leadership► his way of life for themhis way of life for them► Divine inspirationDivine inspiration

LIFE OF ST FRANCISLIFE OF ST FRANCIS

““charismatic”charismatic”► a gift to the Churcha gift to the Church

to build Body of Christto build Body of Christ► his way of life confirmedhis way of life confirmed► Father of a spiritual familyFather of a spiritual family

LIFE OF ST FRANCISLIFE OF ST FRANCIS

The Franciscan FamilyThe Franciscan Family

► SFO is an integral memberSFO is an integral member

► A secular OrderA secular Order

LEGENDLEGEND OF THE OF THE

THREE COMPANIONSTHREE COMPANIONSFriars Leo, Angelo, RufinoFriars Leo, Angelo, Rufino

12461246n. 54n. 54

LEGEND OF THE THREE LEGEND OF THE THREE COMPANIONSCOMPANIONS

The laity were converted by:The laity were converted by: preaching, example of Francispreaching, example of Francis his direction, guidance, his direction, guidance,

discipleshipdiscipleship Divine inspirationDivine inspiration

LEGEND OF THE THREE LEGEND OF THE THREE COMPANIONSCOMPANIONS

The Franciscan FamilyThe Franciscan Family SFO bound to friar OrdersSFO bound to friar Orders in birth, life, and growthin birth, life, and growth in spiritin spirit

LEGEND OF THE THREE LEGEND OF THE THREE COMPANIONSCOMPANIONS

Growth of Franciscan FamilyGrowth of Franciscan Family

From personal relations with Francis, Clare and companions

Three Orders rise, decline together depending on their

way of life

LEGEND OF PERUGIALEGEND OF PERUGIAAnonymousAnonymous

12461246n. 34n. 34

LEGEND OF PERUGIALEGEND OF PERUGIAHistory of the Third OrderHistory of the Third Order

n. 27: “save your souls in your n. 27: “save your souls in your house”house”

n. 34: “many entered the n. 34: “many entered the Order”Order”

LEGEND OF PERUGIALEGEND OF PERUGIAThe laity were converted byThe laity were converted by

example, preaching of Francis example, preaching of Francis and friarsand friars

liturgical prayerliturgical prayer Grace of GodGrace of God

MAJOR LIFEMAJOR LIFE OF ST FRANCIS OF ST FRANCIS

St BonaventureSt Bonaventure12631263

Chapter 4, n.6Chapter 4, n.6

MAJOR LIFEMAJOR LIFEThe laity were converted byThe laity were converted by

preaching of St Francispreaching of St Francis

his rule of penancehis rule of penance

miraclesmiracles

MAJOR LIFEMAJOR LIFEThe Franciscan Family

unites laity, religious, priests

follow Christ in the footsteps of St Francis

SFO holds special placePaul VI, SFO Rule 1978

MAJOR LIFEMAJOR LIFEThe Franciscan Family

fired by the Word of God

lived the Gospel in the Church

LITTLE FLOWERS OF LITTLE FLOWERS OF ST FRANCISST FRANCIS

13371337Chapter 16Chapter 16

LITTLE FLOWERSLITTLE FLOWERSThe laity were converted by

prayer and discipline of Francis and prayer and discipline of Francis and friarsfriars

their preaching, teachingtheir preaching, teaching their presence among laitytheir presence among laity guides in spiritual lifeguides in spiritual life Grace of GodGrace of God

LITTLE FLOWERSLITTLE FLOWERSFrancis as spiritual assistant

disposed laity to conversion not dependent on him not indispensable companion

LITTLE FLOWERSLITTLE FLOWERSFirst Franciscans were outstandingFirst Franciscans were outstanding

NOT FOR

rulesrules teachingteaching devotionsdevotions

LITTLE FLOWERSLITTLE FLOWERSFirst Franciscans were outstandingFirst Franciscans were outstanding

FOR BEING

Witnesses to Christ,Witnesses to Christ,poor and sufferingpoor and suffering Risen and livingRisen and living

Lord of the universeLord of the universe

LITTLE FLOWERSLITTLE FLOWERSThe friars

preached the Word of God lived the Christ-life as pilgrims The joyful poor suffering but free

LITTLE FLOWERSLITTLE FLOWERSThe friarsThe friars

Animators and guides of the laityAnimators and guides of the laity Brothers, not bossesBrothers, not bosses Assistants, not directorsAssistants, not directors

SPIRITUAL ASSISTANTSSPIRITUAL ASSISTANTS

Messengers and messageMessengers and messageWitnesses of GospelWitnesses of GospelDelegates of major Delegates of major

SuperiorsSuperiorsBond of unityBond of unity

SPIRITUAL ASSISTANTSSPIRITUAL ASSISTANTS

Necessary for friars’ Necessary for friars’ vocation, to share vocation, to share Franciscan charismFranciscan charism

Called for others, like St Called for others, like St FrancisFrancis