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FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY

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DEFINITIONS

Relationship between theology and spirituality.Theology – the study of God Spirituality – the process of personal transformation

Meaning of spirituality Being animated by GodDriven by the Holy Spirit

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CALL OF ST. FRANCIS

Called in his special way:

To represent God (faith)To speak of God (Evangelize)To go towards God (Spiritual journey)To treat with God (Prayer)

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ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN A PENITENTIAL LIFE

A turning to God with all that one is Loving one's neighbor as oneself. Acknowledging and despising one's personal

tendency to sin. Receiving the Eucharist devoutly. Allowing God's Spirit to dwell in us.

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WHAT SHOWS IN YOUR LIFE

Joy, gratitude and care for the poor Brought about by God’s transforming love And by God’s giftedness of creation

Detachment from the things of this world Brings about peace and joy – a gift of God Unconditional love

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PRAYER

Like Francis, we’re active and contemplative

Open one’s heart and mind to God

Love and praise Him – body, soul and mind

Daily prayer; Eucharist often

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SISTERS AND BROTHERS

Foundation for everything – minority or littleness See ourselves as brother/sister to all people and all

creation Brother/sister relationships with all are encounters

with God’s love It’s not what we do but how we do it and who we are We walk with the poor and marginalized, those in

need of healing, and those who hunger for God We are committed to care for the earth

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POVERTY

Living simply

Detachment

Everything is a gift

We are stewards

We seek justice for all

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HUMILITY and CHARITY

Moment of Francis’ conversion – he kissed the leperConfronted his fearEmbraced itBegan a life of penance

Seen in the incarnationSeen in the EucharistHumbly reach out to all others

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COMMUNITY

Called to live in community

We need one another

Can only experience humility and charity in community

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SELF-DENIAL

Unite ourselves with Him. Substitute His perfect thoughts, will & feelings for

our imperfect ones. Alone we can do nothing.Through Him and with Him, we adore, praise

and prayChrist is dearer to us than we are to ourselvesWe serve for Christ and with Christ

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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Commitment assumes failure will be part of the process of change and growth. How do I handle failure in my life? Give examples.

2. Am I giving God my whole body, soul and mind? How do I know? What are some signs of taking the wide way instead of the narrow way?

3. What choices am I confronted with regularly that require me to think of and put God first, instead of myself? How do I make those choices?

4. Philippians 2:3-4 says: “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than ourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but everyone for thoseof others.” In what ways do I do this – or not do it – in my home, in my work, in my fraternity, in my community?

5. How do I most often express my love to God? What do I most oftencomplain to God about? What do I request of God most often?