Week 12: Franciscan Humility

From the second biography of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano
Humility guards and also decorates all the virtues. Any spiritual building without a foundation of humility may appear to rise high but will actually fall into ruins. Francis had many gifts but he was so filled with the gift of humility that nothing was wanting. In his own opinion he was nothing but a sinner, though he had the beauty and splendour of every kind of holiness.
He tried to build himself on this virtue, to lay a foundation for what he had learned from Christ. Forgetting how he had improved, he kept his eyes only on his failings, believing that he was lacking in more that he had improved. Not content with his present virtues, his only ambition was to become better and to add new ones.
He was humble in his dress, humbler in his opinions, and humblest of all in his view of himself.
This prince of God was not considered to be anyone’s superior, except with this sparkling gem: he was the least among the lesser. This virtue, this title, this badge marked him out as the head of the Order. There was no arrogance in his speech, no extravagant gestures, no showing off in the way he behaved. God had revealed to him the meaning of many different things, but during conversations with people he put the opinions of others above of his own. He considered the opinions of his companions safer than his own and the views of others better than his own. He would say that a man had not yet given up everything for God as long as he held on to the moneybag of his own opinions. He would rather hear himself blamed than praised, since being blamed moved him to change whereas being praised leads to pride coming before a fall.
Question: Do you think Francis was being honest with himself when he said he was nothing but a sinner? Why do you think he said that?
Question: How do you cope with praise? Do you see a danger in pride before a fall? If so, what is your way to deal with it?
Question: Do you have enough confidence to suppress your own opinions and try to see the logic in another person’s view?

From St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis
He was not ashamed to ask advice in small matters from those he was leading, true Lesser Brother that he was, though he had learned great things from the supreme Teacher. He was accustomed to search with special eagerness in what manner, and in what way he could serve God more perfectly according to His good pleasure.
Question: Do you ask advice from people you are leading?

Also from the second biography of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano
Those two bright lights of the world, Saint Dominic and Saint Francis, were once in the city with Lord Ostia, who later became the Pope.  As they were exchanging affectionate words about our Lord, the bishop said to them: ''In the early Church the leaders of the Church were poor, and loving people, not overtaken by greed. Why don't we make bishops and priests of those brothers who excel more than others in their teaching and example?''
Blessed Francis bowed to the bishop and said: ''My Lord, my brothers are called 'lesser' precisely so they will not presume to become 'greater.' Their vocation is to stay at a low level, and to follow in the footprints of the humble Christ, which will eventually raise them above others in the view of the saints. If you want them to bear fruit in the Church of God, keep them in the status in which they were called and hold them to it. Bring them back down to ground level even against their will. And so I beg you, Father, never allow them to rise to become church leaders, otherwise they will become prouder rather than poorer, and be arrogant towards the others."
Question: Do you think you should ever refuse to take on a job because it has high status? If not. could you trust yourself not to make your presence felt or be arrogant towards the others? How could you succeed in avoiding becoming ‘greater’?

From the (First Order) Rule of 1221
All the friars without exception are forbidden to wield power or authority, particularly over one another. Our Lord tells us in the Gospel that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them (Mt. 20: 25). That is not to be the way among the friars. Among them whoever wishes to become great shall be their servant, and whoever wishes to be first shall be their minister (Mt. 28: 26-28), and he is their servant. Let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest (Lk. 22: 26)’.
No-one is to be called ‘The Leader’. They are all to be known as Lesser Brothers without distinction, and they should be prepared to wash one another’s feet.
Question: How can an organisation be run satisfactorily without a strong hand exercising authority? Can you lead from behind?

From the Rule of Life for her Order, written by St. Clare
Let the sisters be strictly bound always to have as our Governor, Protector, and Corrector that Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church who has been delegated by the Lord Pope for the Lesser Brothers, so that, always submissive and subject at the feet of that same holy Church and steadfast in the Catholic faith, we may observe in perpetuity the poverty and humility of our Lord Jesus Christ and of His most holy Mother and the Holy Gospel we have firmly promised. Amen.
Question: Should we always in humility be submissive to the Church or other authorities in our lives? Even if it is against conscience?