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Franciscan Vision Global Summit

The June session opened with the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus (FCJ) from their International Formation House at Assisi near Santa Maria degli Angeli, Portiuncula, singing an Invocation to the Holy Spirit. Brother Benedict Vadakkekara OFM Cap gave a presentation on the Franciscan Mission and Solidarity with the Poor in the World to Live Fully the Rule of 1223 in Our Time. Brother Benedict chose to focus more on the Franciscan Mission. Francis of Assisi is the first founder of a religious Order to include a section in the Order's Rule on the Mission. At that time, the people of other religions were referred to as Saracens and infidels. The Crusades were organized by the Church and state in response to Islam and its rapid expansion across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Evangelizing was not an option at the time for religious missionaries. At the same time, Francis directed his friars to embrace radical poverty, asserting that this would ensure the authenticity of the life they would need for evangelization.

Regarding interactions with people of other faiths, the Earlier Rule, Chapter XVI reads: "The Lord says: Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be prudent as serpents and simple as doves. Let any brother, then, who desires by divine inspiration to go among people of other religions, go with the permission of his minister and servant." The brothers who go among people of other faiths are directed to do so in two ways. One is not to engage in arguments or disputes but to be subject to every human creature for God's sake and to acknowledge that they are Christians. The other way is to proclaim the Word of God when it pleases the Lord, with the hope that unbelievers would believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and be baptized. This is the only time Francis directs the friars specifically in obedience.

The decision to go among the people of other faiths is a personal one, answering God's direct call. The idea of being in the midst of the world is a mission stemming from the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. The two ways of going forth among the people describe meekness and voluntary submission, which communicate values in a world that hungers for power and authority. What the Franciscan Mission promotes is peace, nonviolence, and interreligious dialogue. The first way of going forth establishes a bond of mutual trust and respect, which is needed before evangelization can begin. Only then can the second way of going forth come to life in the sharing of faith. Francis himself traveled to Egypt to visit the Sultan, speaking with him for three days and learning about his beliefs. The Sultan was deeply moved by Francis, and Francis was impressed by the prayerful nature of Islam.

Pope John Paul II said on March 3, 1984: "Among the many examples that could be drawn from the history of Christian mission, the norms given by St. Francis of Assisi in the Earlier Rule of 1221 are significant. The friars who 'through divine inspiration would desire to go among the Muslims... can establish spiritual contact with them (Muslims) in two ways: a way which does not raise arguments and disputes, but rather they should be subject to every human creature for the love of God and confess themselves to be Christians. The other way is that when they see that it would be pleasing to the Lord, they should announce the word of God."

Brother Benedict gave an inspiring presentation, encouraging us and giving hope toward the mission of evangelization through interreligious dialogue, of which Francis so gracefully lived. A concluding hymn in honor of St. Francis was sung by Aspirants belonging to the Saint Francis of Assisi North-East India Foundation in Assam, India.

 

Prepared by Colleen Finlon, ofs.

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