St Francis and Me

The San Damiano cross (centre) in front of my desk

Like many Christians, I have a mentor.  It's a bit like having a big brother.  He imparts his wisdom, I listen to what he has to say, and I look up to him as an example to follow.

Unlike many other mentors, however, mine has been dead for nearly 800 years.

His name is Francis.  He grew up a spoilt brat in a rich family in Assisi.  A pleasure-seeker who loved designer clothes and wild parties.

Francis also experienced periods of profound disillusionment.  Why did the fine life leave him so unsatisfied?  He gradually came to realize that his attachment to material wealth was a hindrance to his well-being and decided to embrace 'Lady Poverty'.  He started giving money and possessions to the poor, and praying for extended periods in a cave.

Down the hill was a little church, San Damiano, in a terrible state of repair.  As he prayed before the crucifix one day, he heard Christ speak to him: 'Francis, go and repair my church, which is in ruins.'  

Until this point, Francis' generosity was funded from his father's deep, deep pockets.  When his father became enraged by his son's large financial donations to the church, Francis took off all his clothes.  He presented them to his father, along with the money in the pockets, and made a total break with his old life.

Francis rebuilt San Damiano by hard labour, without the family fortune.  But the job wasn't complete.  His labour with stone and mortar was only a shadow of what was to come.  He came to realize that Christ's Church at large was in ruins and falling apart - corrupt, materialistic, spiritually lukewarm at best.  So he started working as a reformer, calling the Church back to its simple and humble roots.

A charismatic preacher, he attracted a following.  He and his companions took vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.  The poverty was especially strict, a total abandonment of material possessions.

Towards the end of his life, Francis received the stigmata, the 'marks of Christ', although he tried his best to conceal them.  His health failed.  It became too difficult to keep going as an itinerant preacher, and so he spent more time composing poetry, hymns and prayers.  He died, aged 44, on Saturday 3rd October 1226.  Franciscans today mark his 'transitus', that is, his passing from this life to life with God, on the evening of 3rd October, with his feast day on 4th.

So, why choose him as a mentor?

He's a bit of an eccentric, a 'holy clown'.  I like that.

He's an early reformer.  As a member of a reformed catholic church, I like that, too.

He endorsed treading lightly on this earth.  He lived simply and generously.  He loved and respected nature.  We badly need the church today to emphasize sustainability and social justice, and to challenge Mammon and individualism.

He was known for preaching Christ and making him known.  He did so in word and deed.

He was creative with worship, engaging the senses - he set up the world's first crib or nativity scene!

He remained idealistic but there are no reports of him getting crabby and jaded over the years.  He is known for demonstrating peace, joy and love - all of which the Church sorely needs today!

Another fan of the saint

He's a winsome character.  Monastic and other ancient forms of spirituality have taken off in recent years, including among Protestants.  He might attract people in the 'spiritual not religious' demographic and draw them in.  He's of interest to environmentalists, liturgists, those involved in community work, pacifists, historians, preachers, missionaries ...

For several years, my own way of following in the way of St Francis was quite loose.  A bit like Pope Francis, who is a Jesuit and not a Franciscan, but who is inspired by St Francis' concern for the poor.  

Then, last year, I started exploring a vocation to the Anglican Third Order Society of Saint Francis (TSSF).  A dispersed community of people who make special promises to God, and to one another, to live in the spirit of St Francis in our own contexts today.  Last Advent, I made a vow as a novice (a baby-Franciscan).  Since then, I've been learning more and meeting with others, and I might just take vows one day as a life-long Franciscan.