Because St Francis and his companions were called and chosen by God to bear the cross of Christ in their hearts and in their works, and to preach it with their tongues, they seemed, and truly were, men crucified, in regard to their dress, the austerity of their lives, their acts and their deeds.

Because St Francis and his companions were called and chosen by God to bear the cross of Christ in their hearts and in their works, and to preach it with their tongues, they seemed, and truly were, men crucified, in regard to their dress, the austerity of their lives, their acts and their deeds. Therefore they desired to endure shame and reproach for love of Christ rather than wordly honour or reverence or human praise. Indeed, they rejoiced in insults and were afflicted by honour; they went about the world as pilgrims and strangers, bearing nothing with them except Christ crucified.

ST FRANCIS
FROM A MONTH WITH ST FRANCIS, ED. RIMA DEVEREAUX (SPCK, 2018)

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