Day 15: The Franciscan Family and Advent

December 3, 1223. Francis of Assisi created the first creche (Manger Scene) in the Italian town of Greccio. It was a time during the crusades, and many pilgrims would accompany the knights and their armies to the Holy Land. Saint Francis always held a place in his heart for the poor and the infirm. He knew that many of them would never see the place where Jesus was born, and he wanted to create a special place for them. 

That is the legend of Francis that was passed on to me. Some modern scholars may not agree that it is true. As a secular Franciscan who has studied the life of Francis, it sounds like it is true. The Franciscan Family celebrated this 800th anniversary around the world among our communities in 2023.

Advent is a time of joyful hope and for me, it is always a reminder of a Franciscan Theologian John Duns Scotus (John Duns the Scott). He was born in Scotland In 1256 and died in Cologne, Germany in 1308. He taught in a couple of universities and was the one who came up with the idea of the immaculate conception and was finally approved in 1854 by the Vatican. He also theorized that Christmas has a greater importance than the death and resurrection of Christ. Many of the OFM friars I know who have studied John Duns agree that without the virgin birth, there would be no resurrection. Duns states that God loved us so much that even if Adam and Eve had not sinned, God would have come to be with us anyway. Many Secular Franciscan believe that this is a minority opinion, and that is okay. Within the Catholic faith there are many different charisms and religious orders. I have learned to respect the different opinions within the Franciscan Family.

During the crusades, Francis met with the Sultan. The Sultan respected Francis’s love of Christ so much he made the Franciscans custodians of all the Christian sites within the Holy Land. The Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, DC is run by the OFM friars of the custody of the Holy Land. When I was in Formation with FMS, I was able to go on the tour. The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre donate their time to give a free tour. 

The young man told the group there are three different levels of Franciscans. This is probably the most misunderstood thing about our Order. All three orders are equal. Francis founded the Friars Minor (the lesser brothers) first. They live in poverty and community relying on the generosity of others. Their facilities may look nice but I have stayed in their private quarters and it is very small, plain and simple. Next came the Poor Clares founded by Francis and Clare. They live in a cloister and each community decides on what the cloister is to be. Here in Bolivia, it is a complete cloister. They come out once a year to prepare a meal at the Franciscan Social Center. The food and dessert were outstanding and it was a welcome break for the volunteers. The third order is divided into two groups: the Third Order Regular who are brothers and live in community together. They do not live in cloisters, they are out serving in the world. Then there is the Secular Franciscan Order to which I belong along with missioner Mary Liston Liepold, OFS. We were founded by Saint Francis as an autonomous Order within the Catholic Church. In 1471 our autonomy was taken away by the Pope. Then, during Vatican II we were restored by Pope Paul the VI and invited to write our own rule of life. The project was completed in 1978, and the rule was approved. Our spiritual assistance comes from the first Order. However, we are under our own Minister General in Rome. We are not under a monastery. We have had 21 Popes (my source is the National Secular Franciscan Fraternity USA). We are the largest Order in the Catholic Church with 300,000 professed members. We are in decline like everyone else. At one time we were 1,200,000. 

I have had the opportunity to meet the rest of the Franciscan Family at Family gatherings. There are Episcopales, Lutherans, Church of Christ, non-denominationals, and Evangelicals. One big family following the words of Jesus in the footsteps of Saint Francis.

When you set up your manger scene this Advent, think of Blessed John Duns and Saint Francis. Jesus came because he loved us so much that he wanted to be with us even if Adam and Eve had not sinned, take the virtual pilgrimage in joyful hope of what is to come.

Question for Reflection: Reflect on your own understanding of the Franciscan Family. How do the Franciscans and Franciscan-hearted people in your life reflect the spirit of Saint Francis?