Objective 2 students will investigate christian spirituality as an historical phenomenon. Incarnation in franciscan spirituality duns scotus and the meaning of love. Franciscan spirituality is incarnational and trinitarian. As a child growing up in wichita, kansas, my family belonged to a parish staffed by franciscans and there was something about the way these men lived and worked that made me want to be one of them. The spirituality of the secular franciscan is a plan of life centered on the person and on the following of christ, rather than a detailed program to be put into practice const. Foundations of franciscan spirituality michael higgins, tor.
All of creation is an outpouring of gods love and creative goodness. Pdf thomas mertons franciscan spirituality timothy j shaffer. A secular franciscan perspective by donna marie kaminsky ofs cord, september 1987 donna marie kaminsky ofs is an artist resident of akron, ohio, and a member of the national ofs fraternity, a frequent lecturer on spirituality for the laity, in the summer of 1987 taught at the franciscan institute at st bonaventure university, ny. Franciscan spirituality introduces us to the world of francis and his first followers and shows how their excitement and wonder at jesus alive in their midst can still be recaptured. Francis was in love with god and threw himself into the love relationship with the dangerous abandon of a lover.
Franciscan spirituality franciscan spirituality motivates a way of following christ that is based on the gospels. The lives of the brothers and sisters witness to the transforming power of gods love in human lives and to the wondrous giftedness of creation. Sunday, june 4friday, june 9, 2017 for francis of assisi, the true i first had to be discovered and realigned the prayer journey into the true self. Franciscan spirituality home who we are franciscan spirituality our congregational spirituality flows from the gift of baptism through which we share the life and mission of jesus and from profession of vows through which we deepen our baptismal gift according to the founding charism and sound traditions of our congregation. Foundations of franciscan spirituality michael higgins. Jesus is emmanuel, god with us, humbling himself out of love for god and for all creation. Evangelical poverty and the fraternal franciscan economy. A guide for secular franciscans the path of franciscan spirituality foley o. Thomas of celano, an early follower and first biographer of st.
It is rooted in the general trinitarian theology of the church. A general schema for franciscan spirituality would look like this. The spirituality of saint francis of assisi spirituality is a very slippery term in contemporary discourse, so let me stipulate at the head of this modest essay that the way the term is used here is very traditional. Francis, we celebrate and embrace our franciscan heritage and the humble spirituality of st. Simon tugwell defines spirituality as a way of looking at the world, and franciscan spirituality as a way of radical unprotectedness. Franciscan prayer is flexible and freeflowing making. Christlike love and forgiveness, community, personal and communal prayer, celebration of the sacramental life, obedience to legitimate authority, love of scripture, and concern for justice and. The franciscans are a group of related mendicant religious orders within the catholic church, founded in 1209 by saint francis of assisi. Francis articles 1,4,5,14 2to be converted continually articles 2,4,5,7,9,12,16. It is a pathway to deeper prayer, good decisions guided by keen discernment, and an active life of service to others.
A member of an originally mendicant roman catholic religious order founded by st. Franciscan spirituality is rooted in the general judeochristian, roman catholic and biblical traditions. Dominican spirituality the form of christian spirituality proper to the dominican order see dominicans. Finally, he had to be poor to be able to continue reading franciscan. Francis articles 1,4,5,14 2to be converted continually articles 2,4,5,7,9,12,16 3to live as sisters and brothers of all people and of all creation articles,18. The society of jesus, usually known as the jesuits, and the franciscans are both roman catholic religious orders. Incarnation in franciscan spirituality franciscans. What is spirituality definition and types of spiritual. Consciousness, conversion, communication in franciscan spirituality oxford lecture 2011 download the pdf. Franciscan spirituality secular franciscan order pacific. A spirituality is a particular way, or emphasis, in following christ. Formation course for national spiritual assistants to the ofs. We speak, for instance, of benedictine spirituality, dominican spirituality, or franciscan spirituality to name a few. Franciscan spirituality articles the crib and cross.
The rule and life of the secular franciscans is this. What are the elements that make up franciscan spirituality. Today the franciscan order flourishes throughout the world. Christlike love and forgiveness, community, personal and communal prayer, celebration of the sacramental life, obedience to legitimate authority, love of scripture, and. It is incarnated in each of us and is expressed in diverse ways. Franciscan order and each of these essential elements could be used for ongoing formation at a fraternity meeting.
The sfo constitutions describe the spiritual assistant as being a person designated by the competent major superior to be a witness of franciscan spirituality and of fraternal affection of the religious towards the secular franciscans and to be a bond of communion between his. Formation course for national spiritual assistants to the. It has its own unique emphasis which characterizes it as franciscan. Franciscan spirituality hinges on the synthesis of action and contemplation. Christ by following the example of st francis of assisi, who made. The very first place we must look to discover this authentic vision is in his prayers and writings because it is there we find the fountain source in which to begin our search. Pdf franciscan spirituality and economics researchgate. Joseph of the holy family church, in harlem, new york city, where he lives. Faithful to the gospel and the church franciscan spirituality includes as a. Franciscan spirituality finds its source in the life, experience and vision of saint francis of assisi. Franciscan spirituality in protestantism refers to spirituality in protestantism inspired by the catholic friar saint francis of assisi. Our franciscan way spirituality clinton franciscans. Christcentered franciscan spirituality is an incarnational, earthy spirituality.
Characteristics of franciscan spirituality i was attracted to franciscan spirituality long before i even knew there was such a thing. Francis of assisi in 1209 and dedicated to the virtues of humility and. Jesuit spirituality is built on ignatius loyolas spiritual exercises, which has been used as a training manual for spiritual warriors since the organizations founding. Click here for the schedule of foundation for resilienceempathy sessions. The spirituality of saint francis of assisi fuller studio. They adhere to the teachings and spiritual disciplines of the founder and of his main associates and followers, such as clare of. Both build their religious life around the rites and sacraments of the catholic church.
Franciscan spirituality motivates a way of following christ that is based on the gospels. The two, however, have different histories and organizations. These spiritualities have their origin in great spiritual leaders after whom they are generally named. Franciscan spirituality secular franciscan order usa. This god, present through grace, is the backdrop and the horizon for the believers everyday. Bonaventure put it, god bends down to us, lifting us up. It was and is always connected with the two other basic pillars of the franciscan spirituality. The franciscan view of poverty means to avoid egoistic and. Franciscan definition of franciscan by the free dictionary. Secular franciscan spirituality seraphic college, rome november 11, 2019 br. Emerging since the 19th century, there are several protestant adherent and groups, sometimes organised as religious orders, which strive to adhere to the teachings and spiritual disciplines of saint francis of assisi. Franciscan synonyms, franciscan pronunciation, franciscan translation, english dictionary definition of franciscan. Franciscan spirituality understands authority and obedience in terms of mutual service, not submission or domination. The gospel stories about jesus have a special appeal, particularly the incarnation of god in the life of jesus, which is the center around which franciscan life and spirituality revolve.
Conventual franciscan spirituality rests on the foundation of five principles, or pillars. Within the catholic church there is a rich variety of spiritualities. It is a description which francis and his lesser brothers and saw examples for his. In other words, each spirituality has its preferred virtues, ideals and principles without negating all the others. Emerging since the 19th century, there are several protestant adherent and groups, sometimes organised as religious orders, which strive to adhere to the teachings and spiritual disciplines of saint francis of assisi the 20th century high church. He continues, franciscan spirituality is story, just as the gospel is. Spirituality relationship with god, our charism or image of god 1 of many 2 distinct views of god standard, primary, anthropocentric, dominican school alternate christocentricfranciscan school. Emerging out of the high middles ages, it emphasizes the humanity of jesus christ. Franciscan spirituality in protestantism wikipedia.
Francis of assisi, italian san francesco dassisi, baptized giovanni, renamed francesco, original name francesco di pietro di bernardone, born 118182, assisi, duchy of spoleto italydied october 3, 1226, assisi. Franciscan charism modules home who we are franciscan charism modules the charism team coordinated the development of the following modules, or study units, to assist those interested in franciscanism to deepen their understanding of, and growth in, the spirit of saints francis and clare of assisi. Committed to upholding the dignity of all of creation franciscan spirituality manifests a profound reverence for the. Emerging out of the high middles ages, it emphasizes the humanity of jesus christ as the mystery of gods presence in human flesh. The franciscan spirituality center is a sacred place of peace and hospitality for those seeking spiritual renewal, personal and professional growth, healing, transformation and deeper selfawareness. The book is illustrated throughout by molly dowell. Then he had to experience himself situated inside of a meaningfilled cosmos a sacramental universe. Characteristics of franciscan spirituality franciscans of the prairie. He earned his living as a laborer before the final, public phase of his life.
This means that all gods creatures indeed the whole of the creation are in. Spirituality relationship with god, our charism or image of god 1 of many 2 distinct views of god standard, primary, anthropocentric, dominican school. It embraces all life, from the smallest subatomic particle to the universe and beyond including brother sun, sister moon, brother fire, sister water, the fish of the sea, the fowl of the air, the animals of the earth. Francis, wrote that francis greatest desire was to observe the gospel in all and through all things. That is about as apt a definition as it is possible to give. Along with the entire franciscan family, the spirituality of the secular franciscan is intensely christocentric and focused on jesus, the second person of the blessed trinity, who became one of us in the incarnation. Finally, he had to be poor to be able to continue reading franciscan spirituality. Franciscan spirituality and bibliography the third order. Spirituality definition in simple terms, spirituality is a worldview and a way of life based on the belief that there is more to life than what meets the senses, more to the universe than just purposeless mechanics, more to consciousness than electrical impulses in the brain, and more to our existence than the body and its needs. The love and goodness of god grounds our franciscan spirituality. Franciscan spirituality october 2009 by neil oconnell, ofm this reflection is adapted from a presentation given by neil oconnell, ofm, on oct.
Franciscan spirituality page content francis of assisi 1182 1226 did more than anyone else to restore the image of the jesus of the gospels to the consciousness of the medieval church. For franciscans, the trinity serves as the model for how we relate to each other and to all of gods creation. Obviously many things are common to all christians, and these are more important than the interests of any one group of christians. The spirit of the franciscan tradition is recognized as one of joy, gratitude, and care for the poor. Find recent and past articles on franciscan spirituality published below. All spirituality types vision vocation network for. These orders include the order of friars minor, the order of saint clare, and the third order of saint francis. Francis, the history of the franciscan order, and the relevance of franciscan spirituality for our times. Franciscan spirituality expresses itself in acts of peace, love, and compassion for all creation. Francis and the early friars used to come together only once a year on the feast of pentecost in assisi for a chapter of mats as it was called because of the mats they sat on. At the heart of franciscan spirituality is the greatest act of love when god became a human being through the incarnation in the person of jesus christ.
Attitudes and behaviors related to franciscaninspired spirituality. Consciousness, conversion, communication in franciscan spirituality oxford lecture 2011 download the pdf file. Ignatian spirituality is a spirituality for everyday life. Franciscan spirituality reveres the eucharist as the humility of god for us. For business especially leadership education these three aspects of the franciscan spirituality can show a different approach towards a new economy, based on humanity, respect, responsibility and love. Amando trujillo cano, tor the spirituality of the secular franciscan is a plan of life centered on the person and on the following of christ, rather than a detailed program to be put into practice const. A guide for secular franciscans the path of franciscan spirituality.
Franciscan spirituality is primarily focused on christs incarnation, his passion, and his presence in the eucharist. Franciscan spirituality franciscan brothers of brooklyn. It insists that god is present in our world and active in our lives. Clare, clinton franciscans strive to live the gospel in our time. More known as a philosopher of great insight and perception, his primary contribution to. These preferred emphases are what make up each particular spiritual system. Five pillars of franciscan spirituality conventual. Franciscan theology conforms to broader doctrine with the catholic church, but involves several unique emphases. Franciscan spirituality, then, is that spirituality which comes from st. Franciscan spirituality leads to acts of loving service which can be a most effective form of prayer. Murray bodo describes franciscan spirituality as story spirituality.
Dominic united and oriented these elements in an original, balanced, and unique way. The university of chicago manual of style, 14th ed. He is also considered a pioneer of computation theory, especially. Franciscan theologians view creation, the natural world, as good and joyous, and avoid dwelling on the stain of original sin. These exercises engage the entire person mind, imagination, heart, body and will in a quest for knowledge of god and imitation of christ. Objective 3 students will articulate a definition of franciscan spirituality within the th century context.
1270 68 1519 1008 835 730 657 156 1133 558 738 391 632 387 984 1244 999 643 1049 1449 1533 933 1521 1488 424 1498 980 1395 97 305 178 1088 296 218