The young ‘San Francesco’ – the inspiration of Pope Francis

(Part I)

St. Francis of Assisi has been officially proclaimed as the “father of ecology.” To the Italians he is San Francesco, affectionately called “il poverello,” for he gloried in giving up all his earthly wealth to be filled instead with God’s assignments.

In the sixties, I was fortunate to live in San Francesco’s province of Umbria. As a teacher-trainee at the Centro Montessori Internazionale in Perugia (about four hours by rapido train from Rome), I would look down at the little town of Assisi every Saturday, when I hang up my weekly laundry to dry. My Italian padrona, Signoria Berelleni, had a balcony on the fourth floor, which commanded an evergreen panorama of the Umbrian hills. This place is one of the most romantic in Italy that those who take their luna e miele (honeymoon trip) choose to go to either Umbria or Venezia (Venice).

The first snowfall I experienced in Perugia was especially memorable as a farmer’s tenor voice echoed from the narrow street of Viadelle Volpe announcing, “Quadra che bel fiochi” (Oh, look what beautiful snow flakes!). Now and then, it would snow but it never lasts, so it is always eternally springtime in Perugia. This has inspired many famous painters who grew up in Umbria, like Raphael, Pinturrichio, Giotto, Luca della Roffia, etc.

The young San Francesco

Umbria is full of abbeys and convents in tranquil towns, such as Assisi and Montefalco. Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) is the most famous Umbrian of all, so many Umbrian children are named Francesco or Francesca in his honor. His belief in poverty and self-denial has been absorbed into the Umbrian ethic that simplicity is still considered a virtue, even if voluntary poverty is excessive. Even Francis’ mysticism and his wonder at nature are enduring values in Umbria. We all know about his love of birds and trees, and when you visit Assisi you can see why. The setting looks almost exactly as it did 700 years ago. Umbrians are among the most environmentally conscious of all Italians, and much of the “health food” consumed in Italy is grown in this region.

St. Francis was the only child of a wealthy linen merchant. As typical troubadour, young Francesco played the flute and was quite a good singer. Growing up in this amber-colored hill town of stone villas and palazzos, Francesco had a fat expense account which he used generously to treat numerous male and female friends, building a reputation as an acknowledged society leader of his generation.

Something was missing still, and Francesco was restless. Always well dressed and bejeweled, he would feel guilty seeing the beggars in town. One time he met the lepers from the colony outside town. His heart so reached out to them that he gave his cape away and rushed home to empty their family stores’ cash box to help the needy. This upset his father so much that he consulted the family friend, the bishop. When summoned, Francesco readily went to the bishop’s palace, and faced his perplexed and angry father. Completely detached from material wealth including his future inheritance, he let his father disown him. What more, he dramatically signified his commitment to an entirely different life by stripping off his clothes and handing them over to his father. The bishop had to hurriedly cover his naked body.

Another turning point in St. Francis’ life was when he joined the town warriors to battle with the neighboring provinces. He fell sick and had to come home. Before arriving in Assisi, he was quite tired that he fell asleep in the old church of San Damiano, an abandoned church. A vision of Our Lord Jesus crucified appeared in his dreams with the message, “Francesco, build my church.” Therefore, the moment he reached home, he got enough money and rebuilt the small church. Later on, in founding the Franciscan order, St. Francis realized that in doing so he was building the real church of God.

The burning flame in the convent of Assisi

After saying a prayer in the little chapel, Claire and the Sisters who accompanied her and all the Brothers sat down to eat in the pilgrims’ house. There the feast was spread out on the bare ground. It consisted of cheese, bread, and milk.

After Francis had said grace, suddenly, as though inspired by the purity of Claire’s soul, he began to talk about God so wonderfully and so beautifully that they all became inflamed with god-like love. All that are of the earth and of the senses lost its hold on them. Their souls glowed and shone with a mystic fire. Its supernatural brilliance blazed out through the roof and the walls of the building, shedding a vivid red glare over the Chapel and the forest.

It seemed to the men of Assisi, Bettona and the entire district, that the Church of St. Mary of the Angels and its surrounding area were all aflame, as if an immense fire was burning over all of them. Consequently, the men of Assisi ran down there in great haste to try to save everyone. But when they reached the place, they saw that nothing was on fire.

This heavenly fire of divine love is painted in the sky of the fresco of the restaurant.

St. Claire and Lady Ortolana, daughter and mother women’s lib team

Sr. Mary McGee, who calls Francis as the Medieval Misfit, refers to both St. Claire and her mother, the noble Ortolana Fiumi, as “fighters” for women’s lib. Claire’s father, the feudal lord Favorino Offreduccio di Corano, raised his family in the Sassorosso Castle on the slope of Mount Subasio. Lady Ortolano was a woman of character. She dared to join a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in spite of the danger of privacy, banditry, kidnapping and being carried away to a harem.

The mother of Claire broke all the rules of feminine subordination. She may have been a crusader herself by the time she settled in Sassorosso.

In July 1194, Claire was baptized over the same baptismal font as Francis 12 year earlier. Both were born into feudalism, a rigid authoritarian military society. Unmindful of male supremacy, Claire grew up nourished on ideas of loyalty and service. Firsthand stories from their mother of crusades and knights filled the three daughters with a passion for truth, justice and peace.

St. Claire helps St. Francis

With her aunt, Claire often conferred and learned directly from St. Francis about his order of Minor Friars, who imitated Our Lord’s life on earth. Ultimately Claire, followed by her sister Catherine and their other friends from noble families, left their homes to join the Franciscans. This decision startled their families. Against all odds, including fighting evil and ecclesiastic authorities, they started the second order of Poor Claires.

Of medium height and stately bearing, Claire (Chiara in Italian) had long blonde hair and blue eyes. Like Francis, she too had to hold her own against popes and cardinals. During adolescence, Claire proved herself as persuasive as Francis. The young Claire would slip out of the house to bring food to the needy. This was how she got to know St. Francis. She wondered frequently how could a slaving beggar be a happy man. Soon Francis and the other brothers had regular food supplies from the little lady of the Sassorosso Castle.

His Holiness Pope Francis,the instrument of peace

Today, the values and motivations of St. Francis are being embodied by His Excellency Pope Francis. Below is the famous prayer of his namesake which reflects the Holy Father’s wish to always be God’s instrument of peace.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument

of your peace

Where there is hatred let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

And when there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek,

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

And it is in dying that

we are born to eternal life.

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