The Third Order Franciscans Shall Dress In Humble, Undyed Cloth

 

 (Photo of the Piccoli VV in Assisi, Italy)

 

"The men belonging to this brotherhood (Third Order of Franciscans) shall dress... in humble, undyed cloth, the price of which is not to exceed six Ravenna soldi *  en ell, unless evident and necessary cause a temporary dispensation be given.

The sisters in turn shall wear an outer garment and tunic made of cloth of the same price and humble quality"...

Saint Francis of Assisi
FIRST RULE OF THE THIRD ORDER of 1221 A.D.

 

 *  Six Ravenna soldi was the equivalent of $5.29 United States in American money in January 2012 

 

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Being Filled With God

Do you want to be filled with God? Then the first thing you have to do is empty yourself of yourself so that you can make room for Him. The more we empty ourselves, the more room there is for Him to come in. How do we do that? Only through humility are we able to empty ourselves completely so that God can then fill us completely. ~ Fra Chris

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Judging the Rich

"We have no right to judge the rich. For our part, what we desire is not a class struggle but a class encounter, in which the rich save the poor and the poor save the rich." ~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta

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Solitude...Silence...Stillness

Solitude, silence and stillness help us connect to God, but he doesn't intend for us to hoard them. Rather, we are to share them with the world. The genious of the Franciscan Movement is that it balances quiet meditation with preaching. Intimacy with God builds up a foundation through which we discover intimacy with our brothers and sisters in Christ! ~ Fra Chris

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Being Alone

"We seem so frightened today of being alone that we never let it happen... We choke the space with continuous music, chatter, and companionship to which we do not even listen. It is simply there to fill the vacuum. When the noise stops there is no inner music to take its place." ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

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Showing Love

Giving away money does not show love. Giving away love shows love. ~ Fra Chris

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Share With Those Who Really Need It

Maybe you're not ready to clothe yourself in a monk's simple habit, but there are still many ways Franciscans can wean themselves from a $100 Billion a year fashion industry. Why not pare down your closet and share your wardrobe with a homeless shelter or local soup kitchen with people who really need it? ~ Fra Chris 

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Healing Ministry

We must be compassionate and pray for those who are sick and suffering; mentally, physically, as well as spiritually. Never boast if God answers your prayers. Rather praise Him and give Him thanks for His great glory! When He doesn't answer your prayers, know that healing belongs to God alone and not to man and give Him thanks for His great glory. After all, their healing may have come interiorly and not exteriorly. ~ Fra Chris

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Praying Before Meals

When dining out, do we say Grace, making the Sign of the Cross before and after praying? Or are we more concerned about the people who may laugh at us? Perhaps if they see us Crossing ourselves in public they will be emboldened enough to do it themselves next time. ~ Fra Chris

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Discalced Franciscan Lay Apostolates

Discalced is a term applied to those religious congregations of men and women, the members of which go entirely barefoot or wear sandals, with or without other covering for the feet. These congregations are often distinguished on this account from other branches of the same order. The custom of going unshod was introduced into the West by Francis of Assisi for men and Clare of Assisi for women.

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Private Devotions

Private devotions should be kept just that - private. When visited by the Lord in prayer, never flaunt it or talk about it or even think too much about it. Why? Because they are gifts from God that He can just as easily take away from us and give to someone else who is far more humble than we are... and therefore more deserving. ~ Fra Chris

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Saint Padre Pio On The New Franciscan Constitutions

"In 1966, the Father General (of the Franciscans) came to Rome prior to the special Chapter on the Constitutions in order to ask Padre Pio for his prayers and benedictions. He met Padre Pio in the cloister. 'Padre, I came to recommend to your prayers the special chapter for the new Constitutions . . .' He had scarcely gotten the words 'special Chapter' . . . 'new Constitutions' out of his mouth when Padre Pio made a violent gesture and cried out: 'That is all nothing but destructive nonsense.' 'But Padre, after all, there is the younger generation to take into account . . . the youth evolve after their own fashion . . . there are new demands . . .' 'The only thing missing is mind and heart, that's all, understanding and love.' Then he proceeded to his cell, did a half-turn, and pointed his finger, saying: 'We must not denature ourselves, we must not denature ourselves! At the Lord's judgment, St. Francis will not recognize us as his sons!'"

A year later, the same scene was repeated for the aggiornamento of the Capuchins: "One day, some confreres were discussing with the Father Definiteur General (The counselors or advisers to the general or provincial of a religious order – Ed.) the problems in the Order, when Padre Pio, taking a shocked attitude, cried out, with a distant look in his eye: 'What in the world are you up to in Rome? What are you scheming? You even want to change the Rule of St. Francis!' The Definiteur replied: 'Padre, changes are being proposed because the youth don't want to have anything to do with the tonsure, the habit, bare feet' . . ."

Padre Pio replied: "Chase them out! Chase them out! What can you be saying? Is it they who are doing St. Francis a favor by taking the habit and following his way of life, or rather, isn't it St. Francis who is offering them a great gift?"

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May We Never Boast

May we never boast or be proud for healings. Nor should we give special admiration to others who have this gift. Those whom our Lord has truly honored with his gift of healing certainly don't want to receive any special credit for it. Why? Because those signs and wonders don't come from us but only from Jesus Christ. It is he alone who deserves all the credit! Can a clay jar take credit for quenching the thirst of those who drink water from it, or should the water receive the credit? ~ Fra Chris

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Seeking Possessions

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting more and more possessions. May we all seek to possess prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude, understanding, charity, love of the poor, gentleness and hospitality. ~ Fra Chris

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Contemplation

Contemplation is not a matter of doing but a matter of being. ~ Fra Chris

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Contemplative Prayer

Contemplatives throughout the ages have learned how to be alone with God. Throw away the books! Knock off the daydreaming! Get rid of everything! Simply dwell in His presence. Silent... Empty... Expectant... Completely Still... ~ Fra Chris

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Have You Ever Heard A Tree Grow?

Have you ever heard a tree grow? Have you ever heard grass grow? I haven't. Have you ever stretched out across the ground at midnight and stared up at the moon and stars? What sound do they make as they move across the sky? NONE! Completely silent! No wonder our Seraphic Father, Francis, loved nature so completely. This was how nature taught him to pray, in silence... ~ Fra Chris

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Want To Know Our Secret?

Want to know our secret here at the Portiuncula? We pray. Then, we pray some more. And when we're done praying, we pray some more. Once you begin to love prayer then you will begin to "feel" prayer. Then you will "become" prayer. ~ Fra Chris

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Fear Only God

Only God should we fear, not creatures, and especially not men. Can these give you eternal life? ~ Fra Chris

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"YES!"

When surrendering to God, a simple word will do: "Yes!" ~ Fra Chris

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How Members Of The Franciscan Lay Apostolate Are To Dress

"The men belonging to this Third Order shall dress in humble, undyed cloth, the price of which is not to exceed six Ravenna soldi an ell, unless for evident and necessary cause a temporary dispensation be given."

FIRST RULE OF THE THIRD ORDER
Dated 1221 A.D.

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Confession and the Eucharist

The first step toward holiness is an examination of conscience (Confession). The second step is to return to the Eucharist. Then love and service follow at once, leading us step-by-step into holiness. ~ Fra Chris

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We Must Never Separate Ourselves From The Eucharist

We must never separate the Eucharist from our daily lives or our daily lives from the Eucharist. Jesus satisfied our hunger for him by giving us his Body and Blood and so we must now go and satisfy his hunger for the souls of the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed. ~ Fra Chris

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Holiness is Meant Both for You and for Me!

Holiness is not something that is meant to be had by the few. It is meant for you and me! It is meant for ALL of us! Holiness is simply this; learn to love and you will become holy. ~ Fra Chris

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The Franciscan Lay Apostolate is Dedicated to Serving the Poor

We do not want the Franciscan Lay Apostolate, as has been the case with other religious orders throughout history, to begin serving the poor and then gradually move toward serving the rich. ~ Fra Chris

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Witness of Friar Antonio

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  Witness of Friar Antonio in English from Poor Friars on Vimeo.

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A Fish Out of Water

 A fish out of water quickly dies, so too does the soul of a Friar who spends too much time out of his Cell. ~ Fra Chris

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Yes!

When surrendering everything to God, a simple word will do: "Yes!"  ~ Fra Chris

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Being a Member of the Franciscan Lay Apostolate Means Serving the Poor

We do not want the Franciscan Lay Apostolate, as has been the case with other religious orders throughout history, to begin serving the poor and then gradually move toward serving the rich. ~ Fra Chris

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Indifference

The indifference of people who ignore the poor is a confirmation of their ignorance and lack of faith. We must pray for them. ~ Fra Chris

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