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Franciscan Intellectual Tradition

Custodians of the Tradition: Insights for a Value-Centered Life from the Franciscan Tradition

The Franciscan spiritual-intellectual tradition offers an “optimistic and positive” understanding of what it means to be human. Its emphasis on the inherent goodness of our common “humanity and fragility” is rooted in Francis’ Admonition V. Continue Reading Custodians of the Tradition: Insights for a Value-Centered Life from the Franciscan Tradition

Custodians of the Tradition: The Franciscan View of the Human Person – Some Central Elements

Some theologies of the past focused primarily on the grandeur of God’s holiness. Franciscan theology certainly does not miss the holiness of God. Francis could never forget the remarkable humility of God in taking on human form in Jesus. Franciscan theologians focus on how God is present in and through the human person, and in our routine, mundane and ordinary lives (incarnational theology). Francis, Clare, Bonaventure, Scotus — each in his or her own way — tell the story of the human only in relationship with God. Continue Reading Custodians of the Tradition: The Franciscan View of the Human Person – Some Central Elements

Custodians of the Tradition: A Franciscan View of Creation – Learning to Live in a Sacramental World

Creation is a mystery. How it came into existence, why it is here are questions that scientists struggle to answer today. By exploring the role of creation in the life of Francis, as well as in the theology of Bonaventure and Scotus, we are able to address some of the important questions that confront us today such as: What is our fundamental relationship to nature? Continue Reading Custodians of the Tradition: A Franciscan View of Creation – Learning to Live in a Sacramental World

Custodians of the Tradition: Give an Account of the Hope That Is Within You

Br. Bill Short offers a few areas in which our Franciscan tradition offers the possibility of speaking a “new” language in today’s Church and society. Like the White Mountain Apaches, we face the erosion of our Franciscan culture and language today. We experience the pressure of the surrounding society, both civil and ecclesiastical, that most often speaks a dominant language that we slowly internalize. We may be the last speakers of the Franciscan language. Continue Reading Custodians of the Tradition: Give an Account of the Hope That Is Within You

Custodians of the Tradition: Francis of Assisi – Return to the Gospel

Eloi Leclerc, in his book Francis of Assisi: Return to the Gospel, describes the historical period into which Francis was born as one in which humanity, coping with complex changes, had become forgetful of its covenant with God. He describes Francis’ ability to discern these critical changes through the lens of the Gospel and call people to required conversion as his unique contribution to history. Leclerc reminds us that this gift today — eight centuries later — “still possesses a potential for renewal and rejuvenation.” Can the vibrant creativity with which Francis lived his original evangelical experience — his radical walking in the footprints of Jesus — be retrieved today? Continue Reading Custodians of the Tradition: Francis of Assisi – Return to the Gospel

Custodians of the Tradition: The Spirituality of Francis of Assisi

This biography presents Francis not as charismatic or as a man of the rule, but focused on his own times and in his relationship with his brothers. We have here a synthesis of spirituality revealing an entire life experience. How does one begin to describe the spirituality of the Poverello, a man who has touched the lives of people for over eight centuries? Decades later the question is still being debated as reflections and discussion of the uniqueness of Francis’ spirituality gain importance. Continue Reading Custodians of the Tradition: The Spirituality of Francis of Assisi

Register Now: Franciscan Federation Annual Virtual Retreat

February 23, 2025 “Singing a New Canticle:  1225-2025” Francis of Assisi has inspired generations of artists, poets, mystics and nature-lovers. He is probably the only Christian saint to be found in local garden shops and hardware stores. What is it about his inclusive vision of all creatures as brothers and sisters that can inspire us today? What… Continue Reading Register Now: Franciscan Federation Annual Virtual Retreat

Advent Resources from CFIT

The Commission on the Franciscan Intellectual-Spiritual Tradition (CFIT) has provided the Franciscan world with a Franciscan Advent Series. This collection of videos includes Jack Clark Robinson, OFM, reflecting on creation, the incarnation and the Immaculate Conception; Keith Douglass Warner, OFM, discussing a Franciscan model of intercultural evangelization; and Dr. Darleen… Continue Reading Advent Resources from CFIT

Program Invitation: The Grace of Greccio: 800 Years of Tradition

Central to Franciscan spirituality is the Incarnation—the union of divinity and humanity in the person of Jesus. In his lifetime, Francis of Assisi wanted nothing more than to emulate the life of Christ and celebrate his momentous birth. So, in 1223, he and the townspeople of Greccio, a commune in central Italy, got to… Continue Reading Program Invitation: The Grace of Greccio: 800 Years of Tradition