Report on Chapter of Mats (Feb 6-9, 2003, San Pedro Center)

By Fred Schaeffer, SFO

The Chapter of Mats was very interesting. The presentation was given by Br. Bill Short, OFM, of Santa Barbara, CA., province, and Fr. Wayne Hellman, OFM Conv., of St. Louis, MO. Unfortunately, Fr. Regis Armstrong, OFM Cap., had the flu and was thus unable to attend. These three Franciscans are the Editors/Translators of the three volumes of “Saint Francis of Assisi: Early Documents,”  a project that was projected to last three years and in reality took ten to prepare for publication with New City Press.

The first book, subtitled “The Saint,” is really a must have, even if you don’t purchase all volumes.  The three volumes cover 150 years. The first volume covers 1209-1239; the second, subtitled “The Founder,” covers the years 1240-1272 which is really the second generation of friars; and, the third volume, subtitled “The Prophet,” covers 1277-1365 which is the 3^rd and 4^th generations of friars. Each text is placed in a different historical context, why, how, what is different.

Below is a table which show what is in each of the books. The fourth volume is the Index to Volumes 1-3 and I highly recommend purchasing it. This set of books differs from “The Omnibus” by the fact that this is a totally new translation from the original Latin. The content of Vol. 2 & 3 has documents that have never seen the light of day in the English language. The volume 1 texts are considered primary sources. What happens between generation? We reminisce and tell stories, and the friars were no different. So the texts and volumes 2 & 3 aren’t necessarily 100% fact as they are based on legends of Saint Francis. Although St. Bonaventure was only four years old when St. Francis passed away, the Major and Minor Legenda are accurate because Bonaventure had access to impeccable sources. The word "Legenda" does not mean "Legend."

Also, 1 Celano, which we studied at our formation, is primary, but 2 Celano is considered a secondary text although I’d be inclined to believe that 2 Celano is an accurate portrayal of the Life of Saint Francis, because Blessed Thomas of Celano lived during the years our Seraphic Father lived.

Francis of Assisi
The Early Documents
Guide for the Index

Volume I - The Saint 

Volume II The Founder

Volume III - The Prophet

Based on Bookmark and Study Aid by Mike Higgins, TOR & Tom Bourque, TOR

Volume III contains some strange texts. According to the authors, the third volume was written by GOM.(Grumpy Old Men). There was much anxiety and a sense that the end is near because from 1308-1373 the Popes abandon Rome and move to France (Avignon); then, 1315-1317 there was great famine throughout Europe. From 1338 to 1453 was the Hundred Years’ War and from 1347-1350 the great plague occurred and many friars died. There was wholesale dissatisfaction in the Order as is evidenced by the occurrences in the following list. By the way, this volume also includes the “Little Flowers of Saint Francis,” which is not an accurate portrayal of Saint Francis.

1223: Rule is approved, by Pope Honorius III
1226: Francis writes Testament, saying Rule must be observed as written: “No glosses”
1230: Gregory IX gives interpretation of the Rule, says Testament not applicable.
1245: Innocent IV says houses of friars belong to the Pope: friars have use only.
1279: Nicholas III repeats earlier papal interpretation of Rule.
1283: Martin IV (a friar) confirms the use of “financial manager” for friars’ funds
            (friars could not have personal money, manager can hold it for them)
1293: Celestine V divides Order: ‘Spirituals’ become “Poor Hermits,” Okd by Pope
1295: Boniface VIII condemns Spirituals, “Poor Hermits”
1312: Clement V tries to steer middle course between “loose” and “strict” poverty.
1317: John XXII excommunicates members of the Spirituals’ group
1322: John XXII reverses policy, says Pope does not own Franciscan poverty
1323: John XXII declares that Christ and apostles owned property; Minister General
            breaks away, thinks Pope is heretical.

There is enough food for thought in these volumes to keep you busy reading for the next three years. Anyway, these three volumes plus index now constitutes the definitive scholarship on the Life of Saint Francis of Assisi and as good Franciscans we hope to use these books to learn more about our vocation and life. We thank the editors and many others who worked on these volumes for ten years for all their efforts on behalf of all Franciscans.

 The wooden “Tau with Crossed Arms” is once again available in limited quantities. These are handmade by Mr. John DeJesus, 192 E Main Street, Avon, MA 02322.  Suggest you write him and include a SASE for his pricing.