What do you know about Franciscans?

[Servant Team]

Did you know there are Lutheran and Anglican Franciscans? 

You can discover lots by some internet searching. Attached are some examples in no particular order from Wikipedia and other sources.

What is your experience of Franciscan life, the Capuchins, and the Franciscan charism?

What sources do you recommend to learn more?

[Leo Jacoby]

My parents met at at Quincy College (now University) in Quincy, Illinois. The Franciscan teachers were very helpful encouraging my father to continue his education and he went on to receive a Ph.D. in philosophy at Notre Dame. 

As a boy a classic book that spoke to my heart was The Perfect Joy of St. Francis by Felix Timmermans. The person who most embodies the Franciscan spirit for me is my older brother, John. He lives a life of voluntary poverty and total service to others with no pretense or show. Many people know him as their angel.

Later in their life my parents were professed into the San Damiano Fraternity, Third Order of St. Francis, served by St. Mary's Friary in Export, PA. Dad was a formation instructor for the fraternity. A Capuchin friend and popular speaker on EWTN, Fr. Angelus M. Shaughnessy, OFM, Cap, gave mom's eulogy.     

I have taught courses in environmental spirituality and St. Francis stands out as an early champion for stewardship of the earth. The Catholic Climate Covenant (Care for Creation. Care for the Poor.) <http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/>

encourages people to take the The St. Francis Pledge:

I/We Pledge to:

• PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and protect the poor and vulnerable.
  
• LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change.
  
• ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and other affiliations-contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc.
  
• ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change.
  
• ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable.
  

More than ever Saint Francis is relevant to a world that needs to live simply so others can simply live. Francis transcends denominational boundaries and is beloved my many. In the thirteenth year of his conversion, Francis journeyed to the regions of Syria, to visit the muslim Sultan of Babylon, so he even models bridging the Christian/Islam divide. May we all become Franciscan in our care for creation and the poor.