1 The Franciscan Charism The Charism: In the beginning
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- 1 The Franciscan Charism The Charism: In the beginning...
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- 2 The Franciscan Charism The questions: How can we be confident
in our knowledge of the Franciscan tradition so that we can
effectively incorporate that knowledge in our curriculum and
activities at ____________? How can we integrate into our academic
programs the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition?
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- 3 The Franciscan Charism The Meaning of Charism: The Franciscan
charism is the gift given by God to Francis and to Clare and then
passed on to all who attempt to live/work within the Franciscan
tradition. It is the gift of relating to all creation, and
especially human persons, with utter respect because all is a gift
of God through Christ....
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- 4 The Franciscan Charism Elements of the Charism Lived by
Francis and Clare: Believes that God is totally self-giving Rooted
in the primacy of Christ Affirms always the dignity of the human
person Builds Community/Relationship Acts with reverence for
creation/creatures Mends ruptures Service
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- 5 The Franciscan Charism Social Structure in Assisi in the 13th
Century MaioresMinoresSerfs nobleslaborersslaves to the land/master
knightsartists merchants lived outside city walls boni
uominifreemenhad no money paid no taxespaid taxes obliged to
protect the minores
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- 6 The Franciscan Charism 6 ELDERLYSICK PEASANTS and ASSISI
SERFS ASSISI PILGRIMS Military safety WORKERS LEPERS nobles &
boni uomini Artists / merchants
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- 7 The Franciscan Charism
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- 8 Medievals saw themselves as ALWAYS as part of a group, always
in relationship to others. Maiores, boni uomini, merchants, serfs
were hierarchical terms/vertical relationships. Sisters and
brothers connote a particular type of relationship. Horizontal
relationships are based upon good communication and understanding
that the other may have needs I/we can meet.
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- 9 The Franciscan Charism Religious Life in the Time of Francis
and Clare Monasticism required withdrawal from the world and
society to find God in an enclosed society. A vow of stability
always in the same house. Neither Clare nor Francis sought monastic
life. Francis found God by living in society and by being
itinerant. Related more to the serfs than the maiores yet rejected
a class structure. Community was necessary, less for economic
security than true fraternity.
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- 10 The Franciscan Charism 13 th Century Historical Influences
Wars Trade Money Power Social Status and Influence
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- 11 The Franciscan Charism The Conversion of St. Francis St.
Francis as a youth had a very unfruitful experience of war, both in
the civil fighting of Italy and within his inner self.
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- 12 The Franciscan Charism Francis and Community Francis did not
start out to form a community but to live the life of a penitent.
Others joined him: a certain man of Assisi, Bernard, Peter, Giles,
Philip They were all lesser brothers - Friars Minor
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- 13 The Franciscan Charism The Life of the Community Regula non
bullata Let all the brothers who have been designated the ministers
and servants of the other brothers... frequently visit, admonish
and encourage them spiritually. Let all my other brothers
diligently obey them in those matters concerning the well-being of
their souls and which are not contrary to our life. (The Earlier
Rule, IV, 2-3)
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- 14 The Franciscan Charism The Life of the Community [Lady
Poverty] rose and asked to be shown the enclosure. Taking her to a
certain hill, they showed her all the world they could see and
said: This, Lady, is our enclosure. (The Sacred Exchange between
St. Francis and Lady Poverty, 63)
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- 15 The Franciscan Charism St. Clares Conversion Nobility
Arranged Marriages Inspired by St. Francis Formed the Poor Ladies
Composed the Rule of Clare The Lord reveals what is best to the
least among us.
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- 16 The Franciscan Charism Clare and Her Sisters Let the abbess,
on her part, be so familiar with them that they can speak and act
with her as ladies do with their handmaid. For this is the way it
must be: the abbess should be the handmaid of all the sisters. (The
Form of Life of Saint Clare, X, 4)
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- 17 The Franciscan Charism Clare and Her Sisters [In chapter]
let [the abbess] consult with all her sisters concerning whatever
concerns the welfare and good of the monastery, for the Lord
frequently reveals what is better to the youngest. (The Form of
Life of Saint Clare, IV, 17)
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- 18 The Franciscan Charism Clare and the Outside Community Many
Poor Clares went to newer communities to help them in their
formation. The sick came to the monastery to be healed. Others came
to bring alms or to received spiritual consolation. Even the
brothers of Francis came to Clare to be healed. San Damiano
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- 19 The Franciscan Charism So, What has this to do with us?
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- 20 The Franciscan Charism Franciscan Attributes in Higher
Education Reverence for the dignity of each individual. Service to
others in the local and global community. Hospitality as expressed
in an openness to all. Formation of a caring community. Education
of the whole person mind, body, heart and spirit. Gospel-centered
values. Reverence for all creation
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- 21 The Franciscan Charism Franciscan Attributes in Higher
Education (continued) Belief in the basic goodness of life as
demonstrated through the expression of joy and optimism.
Demonstration of the Franciscan intellectual tradition in
education. Commitment to social justice. Demonstration of a sense
of responsibility to others. Development of moral integrity.
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- 22 The Franciscan Charism Our Responsibility To evaluate how
systematically, simultaneously and experientially [we] are
addressing the demands of a quality education in the Christian and
Franciscan tradition, and whether it is an education that invites
each and every one to be conscious of their dignity, awakens their
desire to search for truth while remaining open to the fount of all
truth, and asks everyone to be responsible for the ways in which
they use their gifts and capacity to care not only for themselves
but for the sake of others.
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- 23 The Franciscan Charism Discussion Questions What are the
qualities of relationship in my life? my work? Are the relationship
skills we use horizontal or hierarchical? How should we address the
presence/absence of Franciscan and Christian principles in our
teaching? How do we ask one another to be responsible for the ways
in which we use our gifts and our capacity to care about our
students and their futures?