3 three dimensions of Franciscan spirituality according to Pope Francis

In a speech addressed to the participants of the 86th General Chapter of the Order of the Minor Capuchin Brothers, Pope Francis highlighted three fundamental dimensions of Franciscan spirituality this Saturday.

As Francis pointed out to the friars who visited the Clementine Hall of the Vatican this August 31, including the Minister General, Brother Roberto Genuin, these dimensions that guide the discernment and missionary apostolate of the Order are: fraternity, availability and commitment to peace.

“I hope that, as you thank God for the development of the Order, especially in the young Churches, you will take advantage of the opportunity of this exchange to consider what the Lord asks of you,” urged the Pontiff, who chose the papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Fraternity

The first dimension, fraternity, stands out as the pillar of the Franciscan charism. “The motto of his Chapter is: ‘The Lord gave me brothers to go out into the world,’” the Pope recalled, citing the Bullated Rule of Saint Francis. This fraternity “refers to the experience of Francis, underlining that the mission, according to his charism, arises from fraternity to promote fraternity,” he continued.

The Holy Father maintains that fraternity is not simply a means to an end, but an objective in itself, a “mystique of collaboration” that requires leaving oneself to make one’s own uniqueness a gift for others.

“In God’s plan, no one can be considered an island, but each person is in relationship with others to grow in love, coming out of themselves and making their own uniqueness a gift for their brothers and sisters,” Francis said. .

Availability

Availability is the second dimension highlighted by Pope Francis. In his speech, he praised the Capuchins for their willingness “to go where no one else wants to go,” demonstrating that “the most important thing in life is charity” and that it is worth “striving to spend your existence” on this mission.

The Pope highlighted the importance of being “simple, free and willing, ready to leave everything to be present wherever the Lord calls them, without seeking recognition or making demands.”

“His willingness to get personally involved in the needs of his brothers and to say, with humble courage, “Here I am! Send me!” (Is 6:8) is a charismatic gift that must be valued and cultivated. Always try to be like this: simple, free and willing, ready to leave everything (cf. Mc 1:18) to be present wherever the Lord calls you, without seeking recognition or making demands, with open hearts and arms. And this will be their poverty,” he added.

Commitment to peace

Finally, Pope Francis stressed the importance of commitment to peace, recalling how Capuchins have historically been “architects of peace, capable of creating opportunities for encounter, of mediating in the resolution of conflicts, of bringing people together and of promoting a culture of reconciliation, even in the most difficult situations.”

“Be peaceful,” the Pope exhorted, recalling the example of Saint Francis, who became “a bearer of forgiveness, a dispenser of love and a promoter of reconciliation.”

The Holy Father insisted that true peace begins with closeness to the poorest and most marginalized, “without ever excluding anyone,” following the example of Saint Francis, who found Christ in the lepers and, from that encounter, was converted. in a man of peace.

“And you must be like that, men of love, of forgiveness, of reconciliation. It is faith that has made him on so many occasions an instrument of peace in the hand of God, and for him, as for us, faith has had and always will have a vital link with closeness to the little ones, let us not forget it. (cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 49)”, he noted.

The Pope concluded his speech by encouraging the Capuchin brothers to persevere on their path with confidence and hope, assuring them of his blessing and asking them to pray for him. “May Our Lady be with you,” he concluded.