Francis of Assisi made such an impact that he became the patron saint for all kinds of people and causes. Formally he is the patron of Italy, the environment and other causes as well.
Seems like in a world fractured by violence and discord, nearly everyone finds something to love about Francis, even those who don’t embrace the Catholic faith.
Informally, he is a kind of patron for the laid-back, seen as quietly communing with nature. He is known for celebration, inspiring the Christmas creche, an innovation which brought an imaginative approach to Advent.
Yet Lent brings out a different dimension of Francis, who in his day was famous for an intense spirituality. Bro. William J. Short, OFM, professor at the Franciscan School of Theology in San Diego, reminds us that some years Francis would observe Lent as many as three times, each taking 40 days of prayer and abstinence, sometimes observing the solemn season not only before Easter but into the summer months as well.
Francis was said to take off on a boat on Ash Wednesday, carrying only a half-loaf of bread, to an uninhabited island in Lake Perugia. He left instructions that he would be picked up on Holy Thursday. The time he spent in contemplation and fasting, mimicking the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert. The saint popularly known for a celebratory approach to his community of friars, God’s Creation and to great feasts such as Christmas, could also appreciate the need for intense solitude.
“Francis was creating the space and time to step apart and reflect on how God was asking him to deepen his commitment in the ever-changing situation of his life,” writes Bro. William, a scholar on Francis.
As we approach the beginning of Lent this month, may we capture some of that Franciscan commitment in our spiritual lives.
Few of us can commit to 40 days of solitude on a deserted island. Yet Lent calls us to a deeper contemplation. And, like Francis, we can return from Lent with a renewed commitment to the poor and the suffering. Planned Giving to the Franciscans allows you to do something for the poor served by friars in the United States and abroad. A Planned Giving donation can be part of your overall financial and estate planning, providing support for Franciscan missions. Options for giving are available via bequests, charitable trusts, life insurance policies and retirement accounts.
To learn more about how you can help the Franciscan Friars, contact Bro. Paul O’Keeffe, OFM, via email at pokeeffe@friars.us or by calling (646) 278-4699.