From the first biography of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano
Joy in being forgiven
One day Francis was in wonder at the Lord's mercy and kindness shown to him. He wished that the Lord would show him the way of life for him and his brothers, and he went to a place of prayer, as he so often did. He remained there a long time with fear and trembling before the Ruler of the whole earth. He remembered with shame the years he spent badly, frequently repeating this phrase: "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner." Gradually, an indescribable joy and tremendous sweetness began to well up deep in his heart.
He began to lose himself, his feelings were intense, and that darkness disappeared which fear of sin had gathered in his heart. Certainty of the forgiveness of all his sins poured in, and the assurance of being restored in grace was given to him. Then he was caught up above himself and totally engulfed in light, and with his mind widened, he clearly saw the future. When this sweetness and light finally passed, renewed in spirit he now seemed to be changed into another man.
Question: Do you have joy in your being forgiven?

Also from the first biography of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano
Joy in having others who follow the same path
He returned and said to the brothers with joy: "Be strong, dear brothers, and rejoice in the Lord. Do not be sad, because you seem so few, and do not let my simplicity or yours discourage you. The Lord has shown me that God will make us grow into a large number and will spread us to the ends of the earth. I saw a great mass of people coming to us, wishing to live with us in our holy way of life and under the rule of our blessed religion. Listen! I seemed to see roads filled with this mass gathering here from nearly every nation. French people are coming, Spaniards are hurrying, Germans and English are running, and a huge crowd speaking other languages is rapidly approaching”.
When the brothers heard this, they were filled with holy joy, partly because of the grace which the Lord God had given to blessed Francis, and partly because they very much wanted their neighbours also to benefit from being part of that daily increase in numbers, with the result that they also would be restored to grace.
Question: Do you have joy in seeing others coming to Christ?

From the deeds of blessed Francis and his companions (1328)
The Perfect Joy story
One day in winter Saint Francis was going from Perugia to Saint Mary of the Angels. Brother Leo was with him and they were suffering very acutely from the cold. Saint Francis called to Brother Leo who was walking a short distance in front of him. "Brother Leo," he said, “although in every way the Lesser Brothers are giving a great example of holiness, honesty, and learning, nevertheless write that perfect joy does not consist in this”. Then after he walked a little farther, he called to him again: “Brother Leo, even if a Lesser Brother should give sight to the blind, straighten crooked limbs, cast out demons, give hearing to the deaf, movement to the halt, speech to the dumb, and, what is more, life to one dead for four days, write that this is not perfect joy." And calling again he said: "O Brother Leo, if a Lesser Brother knew the languages of all peoples, all knowledge, and all Scriptures, so that he could prophesy and reveal not only the future but also the consciences of others, write that this is not perfect joy." And while they were walking he called again: "O Brother Leo, little lamb of God, even if a Lesser Brother spoke with the tongue of an angel, and knew the courses of the stars and the powers of herbs, and knew the locations of the earth's treasure, if he knew the worth and properties of bird and fish, of animals, human beings, roots, trees, stones, and waters, write down and diligently note that perfect joy is not there." And after a little while he cried out again: "O Brother Leo, even if a Lesser Brother knew how to preach so well that he could convert all infidels to the faith, write that this is not perfect joy."
This type of talking went on for about two miles. Brother Leo, however, was amazed about all this and said: "Father, I ask you in God's name to tell me where will I find perfect joy?" Francis answered: "When we arrive at Saint Mary of the Angels so drenched by the rain and frozen by the cold, spattered with mud and suffering from hunger, and we knock on the door of the place and the porter comes and angrily says: 'Who are you?' And we say: 'We are two of your brothers'; and he says in return: 'You are, in fact, louts who go about the world stealing gifts from the poor, and he will not let us enter but keeps us standing in the snow and water, in cold and hunger until it is night, and then if we patiently endure such insults and disrespect without being upset or complaining, and humbly and charitably feel that even this porter knows us for what we are and that God makes him speak against us, O Brother Leo, write that this is perfect joy. For among all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which Christ gives to his friends is to conquer oneself and willingly endure humiliation for Christ and for the love of God. For in all the wonderful things mentioned above we cannot glory, because they are not ours but God's gifts. But we can boast in the cross of suffering and rejection because that is our own. Therefore, the Apostle says: 'May I never boast of anything but the Cross of our Lord,' to whom be praise forever. Amen.
Question: How is it possible to be joyful when you are badly treated?

From the (First Order) Rule of 1221, Chapter 7
And all the brothers, wherever they are and in whatever situation, should attentively show reverence and honour to each other without grumbling. They should let it be seen that they are happy in God, cheerful and courteous, as is expected of them, and be careful not to appear gloomy or depressed, which is a form of hypocrisy.

From the second biography of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano
Once he saw a companion with a sad and depressed face and, not taking it kindly, said to him: "It is not right for servants of God to show themselves to others as sad and upset, but always show themselves as cheerful. Deal with your offences in your room, and weep and moan before your God. But when you come back to your brothers, put away your sorrow and be part of the crowd." A little later he added: "Those who are jealous of the fact that people are being converted do bear a grudge against me, and when they cannot unsettle me, they try to do it with my companions."
He was so full of love for anyone who was filled with spiritual joy, that at one meeting of the brothers he had these words written down as a general caution: "Let them be careful not to appear to be sad and gloomy hypocrites but show themselves joyful, cheerful, and consistently gracious in the Lord."
Question: Why do you think Francis thought being miserable in public was a form of hypocrisy?

Also from the second biography of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano
Sometimes he used to do this: a lovely spiritual song would bubble up inside him and come out in the form of a tune in French. At other times - as I saw with my own eyes - he would pick up a stick from the ground and put it over his left arm, while holding a bow bent with a string in his right hand, drawing it over the stick as if it were a viola, performing all the right movements, and in French would sing about the Lord. All this dancing often ended in tears, and the song of joy dissolved into compassion for Christ's suffering.
Question: Is there a place for Franciscans to play the fool?
From the Assisi Compilation (1244-1260) eyewitness accounts
He used to say: "What are the servants of God if not his band of singers, who must move people's hearts and lift them up to spiritual joy?"
The Praises of the Lord that he composed, that is, "Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,'' he called "The Canticle of Brother Sun," who is more beautiful than all other creatures and can be most closely compared to God.
He used to say: "At dawn, when the sun rises, everyone should praise God, who created it, because through it our eyes are given light during the day. And in the evening, when it becomes night, everyone should praise God for another creature, Brother Fire, because through it our eyes are given light during the night."
He said: "For we are all like blind people, and the Lord lights up our eyes through these two creatures. Because of this, we must always praise the glorious Creator for these and for his other creatures which we use every day.''
Question: Are you in a band or choir? Do you sing for God?