MARFAM WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER 1 OCTOBER 2025.

NEWSLETTER.   Who are the friends of St Francis? An interesting question for someone who lived 800 years ago and left one of the most significant legacies in the Catholic Church and well beyond.  However is was probably up to Pope Francis to bring this legacy to life in a big way through his vision, approach spelt out mostly in the encyclical LAUDATO SI, i.e.Praise God, subtitled Care for our Common Home.

St Francis life story – the short version – is pretty well known, and has been presented in a number of MARFAM’s Lenten and Advent programmes through many stories  about aspects of his life.  Some extracts are used here below.   But a little context helps.

He came from a society of wealthy merchants, rich noble families and also great poverty and sickness. “Bristling with watchtowers” is how Pope Francis described the time of mini-wars, crusades, and also poverty and sickness. While seeking glory as a soldier he was captured and imprisoned by the enemy, but during and after that time he lost interest in those kind of dreams of glory.   He became aware of another way, and wandering about one day he came to a little abandoned church and heard a voice saying, “Go and repair my church.”  That stirred him into action and he set about – together with friends, – rebuilding the derelict structure.  But he came to realise it was a different type of church, caring for people especially the poor but living a simple life. He gave away his clothes and his money and experienced a great sense of joy and peace even in helping a leper, even embracing him.  Claire, a young woman from a rich and noble family after hearing him preach felt called to join him and his friends, so ran away from home and joined his little band  She spent the rest of her life as a close friend and companion of Francis in his ministry of caring for the poor, loving and praising God for all his creatures, promoting peace and living with great joy. 

His early friends and subsequently many men and women followed his special calling of following Jesus and living by the gospel which was approved by the Pope. His own spiritual life and passionate love for Jesus were of his most important characteristics. His early biography The Little Flowers of St Francis tells many stories of his love, joy and peace and his friendships with others, nature and all God’s creatures. nature and There were growing pains in the community and Francis eventually withdrew from leadership and devoted his life to preaching and living the gospel. Towards the later part of his short life his most powerful prayer was to be able to identify as closely as possible with his Master, Jesus. The gift of the stigmata, as the wounds of Jesus on his own body did cause great suffering, but his closing gift in return – his song of praise, the Canticle of the Creatures has remained an ever-powerful source of praise and wonder throughout the centuries when thousands of men and women have formed Franciscan communities.   Today there are more than half a million members of various Franciscan orders of priests,  brothers, religious sisters and also lay people known as Secular Franciscans.   All friends, inspired by him living a particularly dedicated simple life with a charism of care for the poor and the earth. St Francis is probably the most popular saint in the Church and even beyond.  

800 years after Saint Francis Pope Francis in his own powerful way adopted the Carer of Creation as his patron for his own ministry of Care for our Common Home.  His was a response to the signs of our time when the earth and all its creatures is  becoming increasingly negatively affected by a consumerist and exploitative lifestyle causing pollution, devastation and extinction and climate change.  

  • Simplicity and Humility: St. Francis exemplified a life of simplicity and humility. He chose poverty as a path to spiritual freedom, emphasizing living with less and focusing on the richness of spiritual life over material wealth. This is a powerful message in our consumer-driven society.
  • Deep Connection with Nature: Francis’s profound connection with nature and all living beings is particularly appealing in today’s environmentally conscious world. He is the patron saint of animals and the environment, and his teachings encourage us to live in harmony with Mother Earth.
  • Universal Love and Compassion: His love and compassion for all beings, regardless of their faith or station in life, are what make his teachings timeless. St. Francis practiced radical hospitality and reached out to others with love, which is a model for human liberation and solidarity.
  • Spiritual Reform and Innovation: As a reformer, Francis challenged the established norms of the Church by promoting a direct and personal experience of God, emphasizing joy, peace, and service. His life is seen as a heroic journey of rebuilding faith and community.
  • Inspiring Symbolism: The stories and symbols associated with Francis –- such as his sermons to the birds, taming the wolf, and embracing a life of ‘holy foolishness’ — speak to the imagination and inspire a joyful, childlike faith.

In essence, St. Francis’s teachings about living simply, caring for the natural world, and loving selflessly continue to inspire those seeking a more authentic and meaningful way of life. His example shines brightly in our complex world, inviting us all to begin again with renewed purpose and joy.  

TR weekly e-newsletter 1 October 2025

Our response as friends or becoming friends of St Francis can be summed up beautifully in this brief extract follows from www.spiritualityandpractice.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 1 OCTOBER

October 1.   St Therese of Lisieux. Season of Creation. The families in the parish were invited to read her story.   Therese grew up as a pampered girl and when she felt the calling to become a Carmelite her family didn’t think she would be strong enough.  She persisted and entered the convent at age 15. Ill-health did prevent her from going to a mission country which is what she wanted but she kept her love for the missions.   She spent the last 9 years of her life aiming at perfection through what she called “the little way” and through prayer and meditation.   Her little sacrifices of ordinary events in her daily life were seen as flowers and this simple spirituality earned her the title “the Little Flower.”    After hearing the story little Lizzy said, “I think I can be a missionary like St Therese too, doing all my chores as best I can.” Pauline added, “Why don’t we use the idea of a flower for each of the sacrifices we make too. Then we can take those flowers to someone who is sick, in the parish or community.”  Mom added,  “her parents and all the family were really exceptional people.  Her mom had 9 children, 4 died in infancy and the remaining 5 girls all joined Therese and became Carmelite nuns.”   

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  Jesus said, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.  Mat 18:1-5.  Pope Francis: St Therese invites us to practise the little way of love, not to miss out on a kind word, a smile or any small gesture which sows peace and friendship.  Our prayers also extend to the saints and blessed ones who made divine mercy their mission in life. MV24.  Eco-tip and prayer:  Share how St Therese can be a model for each family member.  DAILY PRAYER.  God of love show us as families how to be channels of Your love for all Your creatures.  Pour out Your Spirit upon us as we pray and work together to tend the garden and foster peace with creation.