How St. Francis Inspired My Faith Journey
I always find it hard to describe my personal faith because there is so much to it. I was raised Roman Catholic, studied and learned from all the great religions, became a Third Order Franciscan in 1983 in the Eastern Byzantine Rite, and lived in an Eastern Rite Franciscan monastery studying to be a monk for almost three years. More recently, I have embraced a spiritual lifestyle practice called Mussar based in Judaism, and currently, I might say I am still Catholic but with some of the Jewish faith interwoven. At my core, I am a human spirit trying to be a better version of myself, bringing love and goodness to our troubled world. The rest – well, is truly a mystery.
My Journey to St. Francis
While I was still in High School, three important changes, all interconnected, began to emerge within me. The first was a deep interest in health, specifically having to do with food and then, soon afterward, herbs. The second change was my passion for becoming a great musician, specifically a bassist. The third was that I began to question my faith and religion. Having been raised as an Italian Catholic, attending Catholic schools from first through tenth grade, I only switched to public school in eleventh grade because the music program was significantly better.
It was during this time of questioning and growth that I began to learn about St. Francis’s life. His story resonated with me in a profound way. Here was a man who figured out how to follow in Christ’s footsteps while remaining true to himself. Rather than focus on all the wrongs in the church, he decided to focus on being like Jesus, bringing Light to the darkness, and having gratitude for all of God’s creation, including animals and even plants.
The Wisdom of St. Francis
Francis’s teachings and life philosophy spoke to me on many levels. One of his sayings that particularly struck me was, “A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.” This simple yet powerful statement encapsulates the transformative power of positivity and light – a concept that has guided me throughout my spiritual journey.
St. Francis of Assisi is perhaps the most venerated religious figure in Christian history. He is best known for his compassion, humility, desire to be a servant, and deep connection with animals and the natural world. Francis referred to animals, as well as the plants, the sun, moon, and stars, as his brothers and sisters. He saw all creation as part of the Universal One, of which we are all a part, and which above all is LOVE.
Richard Rohr quoted the spiritual teacher Mirabai Starr with regards to the type of Love we are speaking of. “The Way of Love can be harrowing. It is not a path of convenience. It requires vigilance and discipline to speak for the voiceless and courage to accept the consequences of ringing the bells that break the spell of complacency. Yet the fruits of such action are sweet. They are wild fruits, and they yield in abundance—enough to feed a whole kingdom right here on earth.”[1]
What truly inspired me about Francis was his ability to find joy and gratitude even in suffering. He regarded his sufferings as a purification and always spoke of them as such. Toward the end of his life, when he was blind and undergoing intense and unrelenting physical pain, he composed the beautiful and triumphant poem “Canticle of the Sun,” a hymn of praise to God. In it, he wrote: “We praise You, Lord, for those who forgive for the sake of Your love and endure infirmity and tribulation. Blessed are those who endure in peace, because by You, Most High, they will be crowned.”
Lessons from St. Francis
Francis taught me that we are all capable of so much more when it comes to living and trusting our spirit – the soul that is connected to God. Fear, worry, or just not feeling worthy can all get in the way. But Francis himself said, “I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, He can work through anyone.” This sentiment has been a source of comfort and inspiration for me during times of doubt and struggle.
The story of Francis’s spiritual awakening and his subsequent mission to rebuild the church has always fascinated me. As he prayed in front of the San Damiano crucifix, still hanging in a small Byzantine church that had been mostly destroyed by war, God whispered the words, “Rebuild my church.” Francis took this literally and began to rebuild San Damiano. He tirelessly carried stones from the quarries, shaped them, and built them into the church walls.
At first, the local people of Assisi mocked him, but gradually, they began to watch him in wonder. Their ridicule turned to reverence and awe, and they eventually started helping him, leading to the successful restoration of the church. This story teaches us about perseverance, faith, and the power of leading by example – lessons that have profoundly influenced my own life and spiritual practice.
One of my favorite quotes from St. Francis encapsulates this spirit of perseverance and faith: “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
St. Francis and My Faith Today
St. Francis’s teachings and example have been a guiding light in my spiritual journey. His emphasis on simplicity, love for all creation, and unwavering faith have helped me navigate the complexities of my own faith. Even as I’ve explored other spiritual traditions and incorporated practices like Mussar into my life, the essence of Francis’s teachings remains at the core of my beliefs.
As we celebrate St. Francis of Assisi’s Feast Day on October 4th, I’m reminded of the profound impact he has had on my life and faith. His example has helped me remain connected to my Catholic roots while also being open to the wisdom found in other spiritual traditions. Francis showed me that it’s possible to be true to one’s faith while also embracing a universal love for all creation.
In our troubled world, St. Francis’s message of peace, love, and reverence for all life is more relevant than ever. His life teaches us that one person, guided by faith and love, can indeed make a difference. As we face the challenges of our time, may we all find inspiration in the words and deeds of St. Francis, striving to be instruments of peace and bearers of light in our own unique ways.
[1] Mirabai Starr, Saint Francis of Assisi: Brother of Creation (Boulder, CO: Sounds True, 2007, 2013), 22–23, 27–28.