The process of conversion for Saint Francis in 1205 was not that much unlike the conversion of Saint Benedict in 500 A.D. or Saint Augustine in 386 A.D. All three experienced a learning curve. But with dedicated practice of ascetic rules for each, the results were triumphant. Francis was the son of a wealthy textile merchant and became disenchanted with worldly possessions. Because he gave his coat to a poor knight, who was badly dressed, he heard the words “All of these things were for him and his knights” (Bonaventure, P532). Francis thought that these words were a command to pursue prosperity so he left his home town of Assisi in pursuit thereof, but the Lord told him to return to Assisi and wait for spiritual guidance from God’s divine plan. He moaned and groaned but prayed to the Lord and the Lord on the cross appeared to him in an old church. “From then on, he clothed himself with a spirit of poverty, a sense of humility and an eagerness for intimate piety” {Bonaventure, p. 534). Christ again appeared to him and commanded him to repair the dilapidated churches. The third church he rebuilt, the Most Blessed Virgin Mother of God, was where he made his home. He did physically repair churches, but Francis later realized that that commandment was for a spiritual revival of mother Church. Francis turned into a great man of piety. His faith allowed him to perform miracles. With his soul converted, Francis swiftly gained a large following such that he was obligated to update his personal Primitive Rule (To follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps) and wrote the Later Rule. Like the Rule of Augustine and the Benedictine Rule, his cannon helped guide the formation of his self and his followers.
Here is a brief summary of Francis’ Later Rule: To observe the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, living in obedience without anything of our own, and in chastity; Believe all Catholic faith and sacraments of the church and wish to confess them faithfully; no wives; sell all they have, and attempt to give it to the poor; promise to observe this life and rule always; absolutely forbidden them to leave the order; brothers are to wear inexpensive clothing; Clerics are to perform the divine office; Laymen are to say twenty-four "Our Fathers" at matins; five at lauds; seven each at prime, terce, sext and none; twelve at vespers; and seven at compline; They should also pray for the dead; They should fast from the feast of all saints until Christmas; They must fast during Lent; They must not ride on horseback; strictly forbid the brothers to receive money; the gift of working should done faithfully; The brothers should appropriate neither house, nor place, nor anything for themselves; they should go confidently after alms, serving God in poverty and humility, as pilgrims and strangers in this world; penances to be imposed on sinning brothers; The brothers are always bound to have a brother of the order as general minister; provincial ministers; And no brother should dare preach to the people unless he has been examined and approved by the minister general of his brotherhood and the office of preaching has been conceded to him; strictly obey their ministers in all those things which they have promised the Lord to observe and which are not contrary to the soul and to our rule; brothers to avoid suspicious meetings or conversations with women and to stay out of the convents of nuns; any who wish to go among the Saracens(Muslims) and other infidels must ask permission from their provincial ministers; and obedience to the Pope. (The Later Rule of Saint Francis).
These rules reflect a pure love for humanity. Francis’ desire was to isolate and alienate his own human nature in order to serve humanity through a spiritual nature. Where the Benedictines wished to reach God through a repression and transformation of their human nature, the Franciscans, seemed to have already gained control of their human nature and attempted to remain in touch with their spiritual nature by ministering to the poor both through offering the word and material goods. The Franciscans subsisted on alms. Some did work and gave back to their community. They pledged to live as Christ and His apostles lived. They, unlike the Benedictines who isolated themselves from the world, sustained their love for Christ by sharing that spiritual love with others. They became ambassadors for Christ and were not confined within the four walls of the Church.
I can only explain the differences in mindset between the Benedictines and the Franciscans as a result of the times in which they lived. The Benedictines began in the later part of the fourth century. Rome was under the process of siege and collapse. The heights of power, possessions and pleasure were exposed to humanity and the Benedictines sought to escape this depravity. They retreated from the world to reform and transform themselves. The Franciscans, on the other hand, appeared some 700 years later when Western Europe had descended into the Dark ages, the medieval period. “Depopulation, deurbanization, invasion, and movement of peoples, which had begun in Late Antiquity, continued in the Early Middle Ages. The barbarian invaders, including various Germanic peoples, formed new kingdoms in what remained of the Western Roman Empire. In the 7th century, North Africa and the Middle East—once part of the Eastern Roman Empire—came under the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate, an Islamic empire, after conquest by Muhammad's successors. Although there were substantial changes in society and political structures, the break with Antiquity” was nearly complete… “Controversy, heresy, and the Western Schism within the Catholic Church paralleled the interstate conflict, civil strife, and peasant revolts that occurred in the kingdoms.” (Wikipedia). Saint Francis lived in the middle of this confusion when cities began to form and the monasteries became rich bastions of corruption. God gave him the responsibility to rebuild the Church, not from within its four walls but through evangelization. The times in which they lived clearly distinguish the viewpoints of each Saint. While the Benedictines ran away from the depravity that was forged during the height of intellectual achievement and stability of political rule, the Franciscans sought a return to such intellect and stability while excluding the depravity. The Benedictines worked to repair self. The Franciscans worked to repair the Church. Both worked under the authority of God with the guidance of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Both dedicated their lives to God.
Here is a brief summary of Francis’ Later Rule: To observe the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, living in obedience without anything of our own, and in chastity; Believe all Catholic faith and sacraments of the church and wish to confess them faithfully; no wives; sell all they have, and attempt to give it to the poor; promise to observe this life and rule always; absolutely forbidden them to leave the order; brothers are to wear inexpensive clothing; Clerics are to perform the divine office; Laymen are to say twenty-four "Our Fathers" at matins; five at lauds; seven each at prime, terce, sext and none; twelve at vespers; and seven at compline; They should also pray for the dead; They should fast from the feast of all saints until Christmas; They must fast during Lent; They must not ride on horseback; strictly forbid the brothers to receive money; the gift of working should done faithfully; The brothers should appropriate neither house, nor place, nor anything for themselves; they should go confidently after alms, serving God in poverty and humility, as pilgrims and strangers in this world; penances to be imposed on sinning brothers; The brothers are always bound to have a brother of the order as general minister; provincial ministers; And no brother should dare preach to the people unless he has been examined and approved by the minister general of his brotherhood and the office of preaching has been conceded to him; strictly obey their ministers in all those things which they have promised the Lord to observe and which are not contrary to the soul and to our rule; brothers to avoid suspicious meetings or conversations with women and to stay out of the convents of nuns; any who wish to go among the Saracens(Muslims) and other infidels must ask permission from their provincial ministers; and obedience to the Pope. (The Later Rule of Saint Francis).
These rules reflect a pure love for humanity. Francis’ desire was to isolate and alienate his own human nature in order to serve humanity through a spiritual nature. Where the Benedictines wished to reach God through a repression and transformation of their human nature, the Franciscans, seemed to have already gained control of their human nature and attempted to remain in touch with their spiritual nature by ministering to the poor both through offering the word and material goods. The Franciscans subsisted on alms. Some did work and gave back to their community. They pledged to live as Christ and His apostles lived. They, unlike the Benedictines who isolated themselves from the world, sustained their love for Christ by sharing that spiritual love with others. They became ambassadors for Christ and were not confined within the four walls of the Church.
I can only explain the differences in mindset between the Benedictines and the Franciscans as a result of the times in which they lived. The Benedictines began in the later part of the fourth century. Rome was under the process of siege and collapse. The heights of power, possessions and pleasure were exposed to humanity and the Benedictines sought to escape this depravity. They retreated from the world to reform and transform themselves. The Franciscans, on the other hand, appeared some 700 years later when Western Europe had descended into the Dark ages, the medieval period. “Depopulation, deurbanization, invasion, and movement of peoples, which had begun in Late Antiquity, continued in the Early Middle Ages. The barbarian invaders, including various Germanic peoples, formed new kingdoms in what remained of the Western Roman Empire. In the 7th century, North Africa and the Middle East—once part of the Eastern Roman Empire—came under the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate, an Islamic empire, after conquest by Muhammad's successors. Although there were substantial changes in society and political structures, the break with Antiquity” was nearly complete… “Controversy, heresy, and the Western Schism within the Catholic Church paralleled the interstate conflict, civil strife, and peasant revolts that occurred in the kingdoms.” (Wikipedia). Saint Francis lived in the middle of this confusion when cities began to form and the monasteries became rich bastions of corruption. God gave him the responsibility to rebuild the Church, not from within its four walls but through evangelization. The times in which they lived clearly distinguish the viewpoints of each Saint. While the Benedictines ran away from the depravity that was forged during the height of intellectual achievement and stability of political rule, the Franciscans sought a return to such intellect and stability while excluding the depravity. The Benedictines worked to repair self. The Franciscans worked to repair the Church. Both worked under the authority of God with the guidance of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Both dedicated their lives to God.
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