Way of Life
“It seems to me that the Order of Friars Minor truly was sent into this world for the greater benefit of men and women; but woe to us if we are not what we should be! The Order of Friars Minor seems to me the poorest and the richest in the world. But this seems to me our greatest fault: we want to walk with those who are too high up. They are rich who make themselves resemble the rich; they are wise who make themselves resemble the wise; they are good who make themselves resemble the good; they are beautiful who make themselves resemble the beautiful; they are noble who make themsevles resemble the noble - namely, Our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Blessed Giles, Chapter 19 of the Dicta
To aid in this profound way of life and in imitation of the multitude of Franciscan saints who have gone before us, we strive to follow the constant Franciscan tradition handed down to us.
The schedule or horarium orders the day and directs our actions, giving primacy to the contemplative life. Therefore every action or apostolate is to spring forth from this foundation of contemplation so much loved by St. Francis himself, since through it the fruits of grace are obtained for personal sanctification and the sanctification of others, which we seek in the apostolate.
The apostolate, which is motivated by the love for souls and a fondness for assisting them, is first and foremost an apostolate of good example, so very much needed by the Christian faithful in our present day. However in imitation of our Dear Lord and His holy Apostles, all things are are possible when the good of souls are in question. The whole of the life is summed up by the true imitation of Jesus Christ: going up the mountain to pray then coming down again to help lead God's people to heaven. Grace is needed for this work and so we do penance and preach penance. And so this life can be summed up as a joyful life of penance!
"The rule is the book of life, the hope of salvation, the marrow of the Gospel, the way of perfection, the key to paradise, the eternal covenant. This rule all should possess and know, and it should be kept in mind reverently by all to combat weariness and to remind us of the vows which we have solemnly made. We should advert to it constantly as the norm for our conduct, and, what is more, die with it."
St. Francis of Assisi
