San Francesco D'Assisi
For anyone that knows me, I am sure that they would say that I have a great love for Saint Francis of Assisi. Why, you may ask? There are many reasons for this affiliation with this iconic saint of Italy and one of the greatest historical figures of Italian history. The first reason is that my Italian parents had a great affection for him and transmitted it to me in my childhood through many ways.We had a statue of San Francesco in our living
room and in the garden of our very Italian home. Secondly, in my 12 years of Catholic education, I continually learned about this remarkable saint of the Catholic Church. I fondly remember learning by heart the Prayer of Saint Francis.
room and in the garden of our very Italian home. Secondly, in my 12 years of Catholic education, I continually learned about this remarkable saint of the Catholic Church. I fondly remember learning by heart the Prayer of Saint Francis.
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument* of thy peace!
That where there is hatred, I may bring love.
That where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness.
That where there is discord, I may bring harmony.
That where there is error, I may bring truth.
That where there is doubt, I may bring faith.
That where there is despair, I may bring hope.
That where there are shadows, I may bring light.
That where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort,than to be comforted.
To understand, than to be understood.
To love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.
That where there is hatred, I may bring love.
That where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness.
That where there is discord, I may bring harmony.
That where there is error, I may bring truth.
That where there is doubt, I may bring faith.
That where there is despair, I may bring hope.
That where there are shadows, I may bring light.
That where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort,than to be comforted.
To understand, than to be understood.
To love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.
St. Francis of Assisi
Thirdly, in my Italian literary studies in undergraduate and graduate courses, I studied Saint Francis as the author of one of the first works of artistic value in Italian literature, the "Cantico delle Creature" and from that exposure, came my enthusiasm and love for the teaching of a literary unit on Saint Francis of Assisi that I fondly taught every year for my 37 years in secondary school education. Fourthly, as a reading specialist and a professor of Italian, I often lectured and presented talks on topics dealing with St. Francis at local and national language conventions such as the AATI and ACFTL. Though I could name many more reasons for my great love for Saint Francis, my last reason is connected to my dear Mamma's illness and death and Saint Francis' tangible intercession to my prayers.
To people the world over St. Francis is known as the founder of a religious order, I Frati Minori or Franciscans and a symbol of humility and brotherly love but what most people do not know is that in his early twenties, he severed all ties with his family and renounced wealth and social position to lead a life of poverty. I know many Franciscans and I love how after 800 years since St. Francis' death, the order that he found, is still very much alive in many parts of the world today and in the Holy Land as custodians of the places where Christ walked, preached and died.
Saint Francis was born in 1182 and died in 1226. He died in a little chapel that he built called "La Porziuncola" when he was 44 years old. He is Italy's patron saint and his feast day is celebrated on October 4th. He was the son of a rich Italian cloth merchant and of a French woman. In 1201 he saw the Light and had a conversion. His famous apparition at "La Verna" in 1224 was when he received "La Stigmata."
He is considered Italy's first great poet of Italian literature who wrote in Italian and not in Latin. His famous lyrical poem, Il Cantico del Sole (delle Creature) written in 1225 is a poem that lauds all of Creation and its Creator.
St. Francis wrote his poem at the end of his life after he received the Stigmata when he was very spiritually mature in heart, mind and soul. The poem was a song originally but the original music was lost. He loved nature and preached about its gentleness and goodness. His ideal was to live the Gospel to the letter and above all, to live perfect poverty. Francis was called the Song-writer of God. In 1219 he went to the Holy Land to speak to the Sultan who had a conversion from St. Francis' message of love and peace. In 1223 Pope Honorius III approved his order of the Frati Minori. the Franciscans who are still today a very active and vibrant religious order around the world because St. Francis was a man of action and of love. For St. Francis the love that he had for Christ was the love that he would have for his fellow man. There are three components in Francis: his spirituality,the presepio (1223) of Greccio where he reenacted the birth of Christ of the Incarnation to show God's humility and love for us and the cross of Calvary in the Eucharist where he sees the love of God made flesh in the Passion. St. Francis' message is essentially a message of love that can be encapsulated in three P 's: his love for the Passion, for the Poor, and for the Protection of God's Creation. These three P's essentially represent his love for God, Man and God's Creation.He saw the crucified Christ in the poor and wanted to live in poverty. As his prayer of peace espouses, St. Francis, "Il Poverello" wanted to preach love, pardon, faith, hope, light,and joy not with words but with deeds. One of my lectures was entitled, " Hope Springs Eternal in Itally with San Francesco." In retrospect, this was the best title I could give this magnanimous noble personage in Italian history who was canonized a saint in 1228.
The Canticle of Brother Sun
Most High, all powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor,
and all blessing.
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor,
and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no man is worthy to mention Your name.
and no man is worthy to mention Your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praise be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon
and the stars, in heaven you formed them
clear and precious and beautiful.
and the stars, in heaven you formed them
clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene,
and every kind of weather through which
You give sustenance to Your creatures.
and through the air, cloudy and serene,
and every kind of weather through which
You give sustenance to Your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you light the night and he is beautiful
and playful and robust and strong.
through whom you light the night and he is beautiful
and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains us and governs us and who produces
varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
who sustains us and governs us and who produces
varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through those who give pardon for Your love,
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
through those who give pardon for Your love,
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.
for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no living man can escape.
through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no living man can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will
find in Your most holy willl,
for the second death shall do them no harm.
Blessed are those whom death will
find in Your most holy willl,
for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord,
and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.
and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.
AMEN
Song, music, and poetry were so deeply a part of the nature of Saint Francis that in times of sorrow and sickness as well as of joy and good health he spontaneously gave voice in song to his feelings, his inspirations, and his prayers. The clearest expression of this aspect of the personality of the Poverello is the Canticle of Brother Sun. G. K. Chesterton, in his reflections on the saint, wrote of this work: "It is a supremely characteristic work and much of Saint Francis could be reconstructed from that work alone. " And Eloi Leclercq, O.F.M., has written: "The manner in which Francis here looks at the created world is a key to his inner self, for the Canticle undoubtedly has elements that reveal in a special way the personality of its author. "
The Canticle of Brother Sun is a piece of spiritual literature that comes at a transition period in the development of language, that is, when Latin was slowly becoming Italian. For this reason, philologists and literary scholars as well as students of spiritual theology have studied this work. In the twentieth century more than five hundred articles have examined the Canticle and within the past twenty years ten books have been written about it.
The Legend of Perugia, 43, narrates the circumstances of the composition of the first section of the Canticle, in which the saint invites all creation to praise its Creator. The author describes the intense suffering of the Poverello in that period after he had received the stigmata. "For his praise," he said, "I wish to compose a new hymn about the Lord's creatures, of which we make daily use, without which we cannot live, and with which the human race greatly offends its Creator." The second section of the Canticle, consisting of two verses concerning pardon and peace, was composed a short time afterward in an attempt to unite the quarrelling civil and religious authorities of Assisi. The same Legend of Perugia, 44, describes the reconciling power the Canticle had in the resolution of the conflict. The final verses of the work, which constitute the third section, were written at the death of Saint Francis. Once again the Legend of Perugia, 100, provides the details of the scene at the Portiuncula where the Seraphic Father enthusiastically sang the praises of Sister Death and welcomed her embrace.
This magnificent hymn expresses the mystical vision of the Saint of Assisi and, since it springs from the depths of his soul, provides us with many insights into the profundity of his life of faith in the Triune God, Who so deeply enters into creation. In this vision, however, the Little Poor Man does not lose himself in space or in the vastness of the created world. He becomes so intimate and familiar with the wonders of creation that he embraces them as "Brother" and "Sister," that is, members of one family. More than any other aspect of the Canticle, this unique feature has enhanced the spiritual tradition of Christian spirituality.
(This introduction on the "Canticle" has been taken from: The Classics of Western Spirituality - Francis & Clare - Translation and Introduction by: Regis J. Armstrong, OFM, Cap. and Ignatius C. Brady, OFM).
St. Francis wrote his poem at the end of his life after he received the Stigmata when he was very spiritually mature in heart, mind and soul. The poem was a song originally but the original music was lost. He loved nature and preached about its gentleness and goodness. His ideal was to live the Gospel to the letter and above all, to live perfect poverty. Francis was called the Song-writer of God. In 1219 he went to the Holy Land to speak to the Sultan who had a conversion from St. Francis' message of love and peace. In 1223 Pope Honorius III approved his order of the Frati Minori. the Franciscans who are still today a very active and vibrant religious order around the world because St. Francis was a man of action and of love. For St. Francis the love that he had for Christ was the love that he would have for his fellow man. There are three components in Francis: his spirituality,the presepio (1223) of Greccio where he reenacted the birth of Christ of the Incarnation to show God's humility and love for us and the cross of Calvary in the Eucharist where he sees the love of God made flesh in the Passion. St. Francis' message is essentially a message of love that can be encapsulated in three P 's: his love for the Passion, for the Poor, and for the Protection of God's Creation. These three P's essentially represent his love for God, Man and God's Creation.He saw the crucified Christ in the poor and wanted to live in poverty. As his prayer of peace espouses, St. Francis, "Il Poverello" wanted to preach love, pardon, faith, hope, light,and joy not with words but with deeds. One of my lectures was entitled, " Hope Springs Eternal in Itally with San Francesco." In retrospect, this was the best title I could give this magnanimous noble personage in Italian history who was canonized a saint in 1228.
I would always begin to teach my unit on St. Francis with Giotto's painting on the life of St. Francis called, "The Preaching to the Birds" which comes from a story written in "I Fioretti di San Francesco" which is a collection of stories on the life of St. Francis and his companions. ( his biography). "I Fioretti" is one of the most poetic works in Italian literature. The religious ardor of St. Francis, his love of God, for his fellow men, for nature, and for all of God's creation, are brought to life in short, simple tales, as vividly as in Giotto's frescoes. I remember when I saw the fresco for the first time in the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi I was awestruck by its beauty, mysticism, simplicity, harmony, naturalism and concentration of expression of Giotto. Giotto's art is heavily influenced by St. Francis and St. Claire.Giotto (1267-1337)) is considered the Father or precursor of the Italian Renaissance, the first naturalist known for his great interpretations of Franciscan mysticism. Afters he incorporates nature, animals, expression, and simplicity, he uses these elements in harmony with the composition and its landscape. The figures in his paintings are sweet, moving and realistic After the study of Giotto I would present St. Francis'"Cantico delle Creature" considered the first great lyrical poem in Italian literature. I loved teaching this first literary work in the vernacular of Italian with a serene message with which people all over the world still resonate. In this most beautiful first lyrical poem of Italian literature Saint Francis uses personification in praising the sun, the moon, and all creation. The poem evokes a serene solemnity. Apart from the beautiful message, Il Cantico is a striking example of pure, lyric achievement.This poem helped me to learn how to fully praise and love God's totally beautiful Creation.
After presenting the life, writings, and contributions of Saint Francis, I would also include a study of the region of Umbria in light of this extraordinary man. My aim ultimately was to always illustrate a running thread of messages of "Speranza" (Hope) that permeate Italy's culture, literature and civilization.
In my unit of Umbria and in particular,of Assisi where this illustrious saint was born, I would show film clips of this verdantly beautiful region of Italy that is called the green heart of Italy. I remember the first time when I was 22 years old I visited the City of Assisi for the first time and I felt a sensation of serenity, peace and love. I can't explain it but it was felt tangibly and palpably in the very fiber of my being. When I was 60 years old, I entered the "Porziuncola" which St Francis built and where St. Francis' body lay for the first time in my life. There I. experienced the presence of God and felt completely forgiven for all of my sins and their remission. I stayed there for more than two hours which seemed like just a mystical moment in time. Time just stopped,for me and I experienced a joy that I had never ever had before. I was given a foretaste of Heaven that day, a day that transformed me because I experienced the mercy and compassion of Christ through the intercession of St. Francis as I sat so close to his body.There was a silence, a peace, a joy that I had never felt in my entire life. I would never be the same again because I knew from the bottom of my heart, mind, and soul that God loves me.
Last reason coming soon!
Well, today is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4th and also the day my dear Mamma passed away so it is fitting that I give my last reason for why I love St. Francis so much. My beloved mother, Vittoria and beloved Father, Armando both loved St. Francis very much. My mother and father were great defenders of the Poor. That stayed with me all my life. During a ten year period of seeing and assisting my loving Mamma and Papa suffer with their maladies during their old age, I would always pray to St. Francis to intervene to the Lord for their physical and spiritual salvation.After studying and reading about St.Francis and after watching my parents suffer and die next to their bedside, I learned the most important lesson of life. I learned how to really love sacrificially as they did through their love of Jesus, of their Family, and of the Poor through their love of Christ and through His servant, San Francesco. Through their redemptive suffering which they accepted so humbly, I learned how to love as Christ loved us so perfectly. Through the allegorical journey of Dante as I was studying the "Divine Comedy" during this difficult time in my life and through St. Francis' intervention, I coped, survived and loved in the most profound way one can. After ten years of watching them suffer, after visiting my dearest Mamma on October 4, 1994, as I entered my house upon seeing the statue of St. Francis at my doorstep that I love so much, I finally broke down and realized that I had to let her go and asked San Francesco to ask the Lord to take her and an hour later, I received a call that Mamma was dying. I called my five brothers and we were at her bedside when she gave her last breath quietly, peacefully and submissively to be with the Lord. When I returned home that night I felt her beautiful presence in my kitchen; I felt an extraordinary warmth, peacefulness and blissfulness that I had never experienced in this material world ever before; I knew that Mamma was telling me she was in God's loving hands. For the next twenty-two years I would have apparitions of her in which I would gently wake up from a sound sleep. We would communicate without words through her beautiful eyes so fixedly penetrated in mine.She would always give me such reassurance of her love for me and for God's unconditional love for me and for all of Humanity. I always feel my Mamma's presence when I pray the rosary for her and Papa or when I teach a lesson in Italian class when I am reminded of her beautiful life lessons that she taught me not through words but through her deeds of Sacrificial Love....that is CARITAS! In closing Saint Francis of Assisi and my Cara Mamma taught me " to Preach at all times and if necessary use Words."
