|
|
 The
Story of St. Francis
SAINT FRANCIS, CHARISMATIC
PENITENT
from
A Small Order, a Great
Fraternity
by Fr. Bonnaventure
Milidi, T.O.R.
and Bro. John Paul McMahon, T.O.R.
Francis of Assisi was not born
a saint. The son of a wealthy merchant, he had time and money
to host lavish banquets for young nobles who proclaimed him
“King of Feasts.” Parties and selling cloth left
Francis little time for God.
In a war between Assisi and Perugia, Francis fought with youthful
enthusiasm. He was wounded and taken prisoner. Spending the
next year in a dungeon, he contracted malaria. Ransomed by
his father, a more reflective Francis returned to Assisi.
The military victories of Count Walter of Brienne revived
Francis’ desire for knighthood. Under Brienne’s
command, he hoped to win his favor and become a knight. On
his way to join Brienne, Francis stopped in Spoleto and heard
the shocking news of his death. Overcome by depression, his
malaria returned. One night a mysterious voice asked him,
“Who do you think can best reward you, the Master or
the servant?” Francis answered, “The Master.”
The voice continued, “Why do you leave the Master for
the servant?” Francis realized the servant was Count
Walter. He left Spoleto convinced God had spoken to him.
During the next two years, Francis sensed an inner force that
was preparing him for another change. The sight of lepers
caused revulsion in the sensitive soul of Francis. One day
while riding his horse, he came upon a leper. His first impulse
was to throw him a coin and spur his horse on. Instead, Francis
dismounted and embraced the leper. On his deathbed, he recalled
the encounter as the crowning moment of his conversion: “What
seemed bitter to me was changed into sweetness of soul and
body.”
He became a charismatic penitent. The Brothers and Sisters
of Penance see the pattern of gradual conversion that marked
Francis’ spiritual journey as the defining characteristic
or charism of the Third Order Regular.
To read more...
• Saint Francis, Charismatic Penitent
• Events In the Life of
Saint Francis
• The Canticle of the
Sun
• The San Damiano Cross |
|
