Since Francis was already a well-known figure in his lifetime and was of overriding importance to the community he founded, many of his writings were carefully kept and have survived. Among them are fundamental statements about his ideal of life, prayers and letters. I have gathered a small selection of the most important writings here.
Reading them, you immediately notice the enormous spiritual distance that separates us from the Middle Ages. Much in these writings has to be understood in the light of the time when they were written and cannot be applied literally to our situation. Other things, by contrast, are of timeless relevance and go straight to the heart of how people feel about life today.
It also becomes clear that Francis was no scholar, not even an educated person in today’s sense. In the Middle Ages, education was reserved for monks and nobles. His phrasing is often angular and somewhat clumsy, but it says what it means without beating about the bush. Bearing these circumstances in mind, reading these texts is a fascinating adventure that touches on many aspects of our own existence.
- The Canticle of the Sun
- From the Testament of Francis
- From the Earlier Rule (Regula non bullata)
- The Praises of God
The Canticle of the Sun
The Canticle of the Sun is surely Francis’s best-known text. Once more it expresses the saint’s bond with the whole of creation and his trust in God. Francis wrote it in 1225, almost blind, already gravely ill and disappointed, too, by some developments in his order. In this situation the Canticle of the Sun is an impressive sign of his creativity and his courage to live.
“Most high, most mighty, good Lord, to you are dedicated the songs of praise, the glory and the honour and every thanksgiving. To you alone they are due, Most High, and no one is worthy even to speak your name.
Praised be you, my Lord, with all the creatures you have made, above all the noble lady, Sister Sun. For she is the day, and through her you give us light. She is beautiful and radiant in great splendour. Of you, Most High, she is the likeness.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Moon and the stars. In the heavens you have formed them, clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind and through air and clouds and fair skies and every kind of weather, through which you give your creatures their sustenance.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful, and humble, and pure.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you light up the night; he is beautiful and lovable, and robust and strong.
Praised be you, my Lord, through our sister, Mother Earth. She feeds us and guides us, and brings forth all kinds of fruit, and colourful flowers and herbs.
Praised be you, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you, and who bear weakness and trial. Blessed are those who bear these things in peace, for by you, Most High, they shall be crowned.
Praised be you, my Lord, through our brother, bodily death, from whom no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin. Blessed are those whom death finds in your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord, give him thanks and serve him with great humility.”
From the “Testament” of Francis
The Testament is the last piece of writing Francis composed, a few days before his death. In simple, almost awkward language, he stresses once more the fundamental elements of his spirituality.
“This is how the Lord granted me, Brother Francis, to begin the life of turning to God: for when I was in sin, it seemed very bitter to me to see lepers. And the Lord himself led me among them, and I showed them mercy. And when I left them, what had seemed bitter to me was turned into sweetness of soul and body. And after that I waited a little while, and left the world. And the Lord gave me such faith in churches that I would pray simply and say: ‘We adore you, Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all your churches throughout the whole world, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.’
[…]
And if I had as much wisdom as Solomon had, and came upon poor priests of this world, I will not preach against their will in the parishes where they live. And I will fear, love and honour them and all others as my lords. And I do not want to see sin in them, because I see the Son of God in them and they are my lords. And I do this because in this world I see nothing bodily of him, the most high Son of God, except his most holy body and his most holy blood, which they receive and which they alone administer to others.
[…]
And after the Lord gave me brothers, no one showed me what I should do, but the Most High himself revealed to me that I should live according to the pattern of the holy Gospel. And I had it written down in a few words and simply, and the Lord Pope confirmed it for me.
[…]
And those who came to take up this life gave everything they might have to the poor. And they were content with one habit, patched inside and out, with a cord and breeches. And we wanted to have nothing more.
[…]
And I worked with my hands, and I want to work; and it is my firm wish that all the other brothers should do some honest manual work. Those who do not know how should learn, not out of greed to receive wages, but for the sake of example and to drive away idleness. And if ever we are not given our wages, let us take refuge at the table of the Lord and beg alms from door to door.
[…]
The Lord revealed to me that we should say as a greeting: ‘The Lord give you peace!’ Let the brothers beware of accepting in any way churches, poor dwellings or anything else built for them, unless they are in keeping with holy poverty, which we have promised in the Rule; let them always live there as pilgrims and strangers.”
From the “Earlier Rule” (Regula non bullata)
The so-called Earlier Rule (in German “nichtbullierte Regel”, the Rule not confirmed by papal bull) is the rule of the order that was in force before Francis, in agreement with the whole order and the cardinals, wrote a final rule that also had a sound legal footing. This final rule, confirmed in writing by the Pope (by “bull”), came into force in 1223. The Earlier Rule grew step by step in the preceding years out of the first rule, which Pope Innocent confirmed by word of mouth in 1210. Here I quote extracts from some of the chapters of the Rule.
Compared with the Later Rule, which pays more attention to legal clarity and also makes some compromises with regard to the ideal of poverty, the Earlier Rule breathes the spirit and enthusiasm of the beginnings and is a shining testimony of the Franciscan attitude. From the rather long complete text (27 printed pages) I reproduce here a few short passages that seem to me especially important.
Chapter 1: The rule and life of these brothers is this: to live in obedience, in chastity and without property, and to follow the teaching and the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, who says: “If you would be perfect, go and sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and you will have a lasting treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21)
Chapter 4: The superiors of the order should remember that the Lord said: “I have not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28), and that the care of the brothers’ souls has been entrusted to them. And should any of these be lost through their fault and their bad example, they will have to give account before the Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapter 7: And the brothers who are able to work should work and practise the trade they know. […] And for their work they may accept everything necessary, except money. And when it is necessary, they should go begging for alms like other poor people… And whoever comes to them, friend or foe, thief or robber, should be received kindly… And let them beware of appearing outwardly sad and gloomy like hypocrites; rather, let them show themselves as those who “rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 4:4), and be cheerful and gracious, as is fitting.
Chapter 14: When the brothers go through the world, they should carry nothing on the way, neither purse nor “bag, nor bread, nor money, nor staff” (Luke 9:3). And whenever they enter a house, they should first say: “Peace be to this house!” (Luke 10:5). And they may stay in that house and eat and drink what is set before them. They should not resist evil, but if anyone strikes them on one cheek, they should turn the other also (Matthew 5:39).
Chapter 16: But the brothers who go out (to pagan or Islamic lands, ed.) can conduct themselves spiritually among them in two ways. One way is that they do not engage in quarrels or disputes, but are subject “to every human creature for God’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13) and confess that they are Christians. The other way is that, when they see that it pleases the Lord, they proclaim the word of God.
Chapter 24: In the name of the Lord! I ask all the brothers to learn the wording and the meaning of what is written in this way of life for the salvation of our souls, and to call it to mind often. And I implore God, who is almighty, three and one, to bless all who teach, learn, keep, take to heart and carry out these things, as often as they repeat and do what is written here for the salvation of our souls… Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Praises of God
The original of the Praises of God is on a sheet of parchment that Francis wrote for Brother Leo during his stay on Mount La Verna (Alverna) in 1224. Brother Leo was one of Francis’s first companions and closest confidants, and at that time he was going through a severe crisis of faith. The text, which is really a prayer, was meant to encourage Brother Leo and strengthen him in his faith. The sheet also bears a blessing for Brother Leo.
“You are the holy Lord,
the only God,
who works wonders.You are strong,
you are great,
you are the most high.
You are the almighty King,
you, holy Father,
King of heaven and earth.You are the Lord, three and one, the God of all gods.
You are the good, all good, the highest good,
the Lord, the living and true God.You are love, charity.
You are wisdom.
You are humility.
You are patience.
You are beauty.
You are gentleness.
You are security.
You are rest.
You are joy.
You are our hope and gladness.
You are justice.
You are moderation.
You are all our riches, enough and to spare.You are beauty.
You are gentleness.
You are the protector.
You are our guardian and defender.
You are strength.
You are refreshment.You are our hope.
You are our faith.
You are our love.
You are all our delight.
You are our eternal life:
great and wonderful Lord,
almighty God, merciful Saviour.”