Mindful that they are
bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they should
seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue,
trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in
the transforming power of love and pardon.
Messengers of perfect
joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and
hope to others.
Since they are immersed in the resurrection of Christ, which
gives true meaning to Sister Death, let them serenely tend
toward the ultimate encounter with the Father.
Mindful that they are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon. Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others. Since they are immersed in the resurrection of Christ, which gives true meaning to Sister Death, let them serenely tend toward the ultimate encounter with the Father.
Pay heed to the virtues that are laid out before us in this article of the Rule:
Peace Unity Harmony Dialogue Trust Love
Pardon Joy Hope
As Francis lay dying, he was informed that the bishop and podesta (mayor) were at odds with one another. The bishop excommunicated the podesta, who in turn would not allow anyone to fulfill the bishop's needs. Francis added a new stanza to the Canticle of Brother Sun and asked some of his brothers to invite the bishop and podesta to listen. This is the stanza
Praise be You, my Lord, through those who pardon for Your love
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.
In writing the stanza and sharing it with two men whom he greatly admired, Francis give us an excellent example of how to live this article of our Rule. He then added the final stanza
Praised be You, my Lord, through our sister Bodily Death
from whom no one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in martal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.
Even in suffering, Frances experienced confidence and joy from:
- the experience of the fatherhood of God;
- the invincible faith of rising with Christ to eternal life;
- the experience of being able to meet and praise the Creator in the universal fraternity of all creatures.
Following the Gospel, Secular Franciscans, therefore, affirm their hope and their joy in living. They make a contribution to counter widespread distress and pessimism, preparing a better future (GC 26.1).
