1. FRANCISCAN FAMILY ORIGINS

2. EARLIEST SOURCES Life of Saint Francis Life of Saint Francis 1228-29 Legend of the Three Companions Legend of the Three Companions 1241-47 Legend of Perugia Legend of Perugia 1240-41

3. LATER SOURCES Major Life Major Life 1263 Little Flowers of St Francis Little Flowers of St Francis 1337

4. LIFE OF ST FRANCIS Friar Thomas of Celano 1228 nn. 36-37

5. LIFE OF ST FRANCIS The laity were converted by: ► the life and teaching of Francis ► his discipline and leadership ► his way of life for them ► Divine inspiration

6. LIFE OF ST FRANCIS “charismatic” ► a► a► a► a gift to the Church to build Body of Christ ► h► h► h► his way of life confirmed ► F► F► F► Father of a spiritual family

7. LIFE OF ST FRANCIS The Franciscan Family ► SFO is an integral member ► A secular Order

8. LEGEND OF THE THREE COMPANIONS Friars Leo, Angelo, Rufino 1246 n. 54

9. LEGEND OF THE THREE COMPANIONS The laity were converted by: preaching, example of Francis preaching, example of Francis his direction, guidance, discipleship his direction, guidance, discipleship Divine inspiration Divine inspiration

10. LEGEND OF THE THREE COMPANIONS The Franciscan Family SFO bound to friar Orders SFO bound to friar Orders in birth, life, and growth in birth, life, and growth in spirit in spirit

11. LEGEND OF THE THREE COMPANIONS Growth of Franciscan Family From personal relations with Francis, Clare and companions Three Orders rise, decline together depending on their way of life

12. LEGEND OF PERUGIA Anonymous 1246 n. 34

13. LEGEND OF PERUGIA History of the Third Order  n. 27: “save your souls in your house”  n. 34: “many entered the Order”

14. LEGEND OF PERUGIA The laity were converted by  example, preaching of Francis and friars  liturgical prayer  Grace of God

15. MAJOR LIFE OF ST FRANCIS St Bonaventure 1263 Chapter 4, n.6

16. MAJOR LIFE The laity were converted by preaching of St Francis preaching of St Francis his rule of penance his rule of penance miracles miracles

17. MAJOR LIFE The Franciscan Family unites laity, religious, priests follow Christ in the footsteps of St Francis SFO holds special place Paul VI, SFO Rule 1978

18. The Franciscan Family fired by the Word of God lived the Gospel in the Church

19. LITTLE FLOWERS OF ST FRANCIS 1337 Chapter 16

20. LITTLE FLOWERS The laity were converted by  prayer and discipline of Francis and friars  their preaching, teaching  their presence among laity  guides in spiritual life  Grace of God

21. LITTLE FLOWERS Francis as spiritual assistant  disposed laity to conversion  not dependent on him  not indispensable companion

22. LITTLE FLOWERS First Franciscans were outstanding NOT FOR  rules  teaching  devotions

23. LITTLE FLOWERS First Franciscans were outstanding FOR BEING WWWWitnesses to Christ, poor and suffering RRRRisen and living LLLLord of the universe

24. The friars  preached the Word of God  lived the Christ-life as pilgrims  The joyful poor  suffering but free

25. LITTLE FLOWERS The friars AAAAnimators and guides of the laity BBBBrothers, not bosses AAAAssistants, not directors

26. SPIRITUAL ASSISTANTS  Messengers and message  Witnesses of Gospel  Delegates of major Superiors  Bond of unity

27. SPIRITUAL ASSISTANTS  Necessary for friars’ vocation, to share Franciscan charism  Called for others, like St Francis