The The Easter of Saint Francis. The meaning of his life

Abstract

On the occasion of the passing of St Francis of Assisi, we remember his legacy. It was his mission to ‘build the Church’ that gave meaning to his entire life. More than eight centuries ago, his person and his work opened a path of renewal in the Church: as founder and Minister General, he gave a Rule, or Way of Life, to the Order that bears his name, and opened it up to culture. As a saint, he is an example and mirror for the Order and for the whole Church. It is utterly naive to reduce St Francis' influence to ecology.  Fraternizing with all creatures was a process that began in the contemplation of the incarnation of the Son of God and passed through the reconciling Cross to exult in the deepest praise of the Creator. Francis of Assisi lived from Christ, in Christ and for Christ.