CHAPTER VIII : HOW ST FRANCIS, WALKING ONE DAY WITH BROTHER LEO, EXPLAINED TO HIM WHAT THINGS ARE PERFECT JOY

One day in winter, as St Francis was going with Brother Leo from Perugia to St Mary of the Angels, and was suffering greatly from the cold, he called to Brother Leo, who was walking on before him, and said to him: “Brother Leo, if it were to please God that the Friars Minor should give, in all lands, a great example of holiness and edification, write down, and note carefully, that this would not be perfect joy.”

A little further on, St Francis called to him a second time: “O Brother Leo, if the Friars Minor were to make the lame to walk, if they should make straight the crooked, chase away demons, give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the dumb, and, what is even a far greater work, if they should raise the dead after four days, write that this would not be perfect joy.”

Shortly after, he cried out again: “O Brother Leo, if the Friars Minor knew all languages; if they were versed in all science; if they could explain all Scripture; if they had the gift of prophecy, and could reveal, not only all future things, but likewise the secrets of all consciences and all souls, write that this would not be perfect joy.”

After proceeding a few steps farther, he cried out again with a loud voice: “O Brother Leo, thou little lamb of God! if the Friars Minor could speak with the tongues of angels; if they could explain the course of the stars; if they knew the virtues of all plants; if all the treasures of the earth were revealed to them; if they were acquainted with the various qualities of all birds, of all fish, of all animals, of men, of trees, of stones, of roots, and of waters – write that this would not be perfect joy.”

Shortly after, he cried out again: “O Brother Leo, if the Friars Minor had the gift of preaching so as to convert all infidels to the faith of Christ, write that this would not be perfect joy.”

Now when this manner of discourse had lasted for the space of two miles, Brother Leo wondered much within himself; and, questioning the saint, he said: “Father, I pray thee teach me wherein is perfect joy.” St Francis answered: “If, when we shall arrive at St Mary of the Angels, all drenched with rain and trembling with cold, all covered with mud and exhausted from hunger; if, when we knock at the convent-gate, the porter should come angrily and ask us who we are; if, after we have told him, ‘We are two of the brethren’, he should answer angrily, ‘What ye say is not the truth; ye are but two impostors going about to deceive the world, and take away the alms of the poor; begone I say’; if then he refuse to open to us, and leave us outside, exposed to the snow and rain, suffering from cold and hunger till nightfall – then, if we accept such injustice, such cruelty and such contempt with patience, without being ruffled and without murmuring, believing with humility and charity that the porter really knows us, and that it is God who maketh him to speak thus against us, write down, O Brother Leo, that this is perfect joy.

And if we knock again, and the porter come out in anger to drive us away with oaths and blows, as if we were vile impostors, saying, ‘Begone, miserable robbers! to the hospital, for here you shall neither eat nor sleep!’ – and if we accept all this with patience, with joy, and with charity, O Brother Leo, write that this indeed is perfect joy. And if, urged by cold and hunger, we knock again, calling to the porter and entreating him with many tears to open to us and give us shelter, for the love of God, and if he come out more angry than before, exclaiming, ‘These are but importunate rascals, I will deal with them as they deserve’; and taking a knotted stick, he seize us by the hood, throwing us on the ground, rolling us in the snow, and shall beat and wound us with the knots in the stick – if we bear all these injuries with patience and joy, thinking of the sufferings of our Blessed Lord, which we would share out of love for him, write, O Brother Leo, that here, finally, is perfect joy.

And now, brother, listen to the conclusion. Above all the graces and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ grants to his friends, is the grace of overcoming oneself, and accepting willingly, out of love for Christ, all suffering, injury, discomfort and contempt; for in all other gifts of God we cannot glory, seeing they proceed not from ourselves but from God, according to the words of the Apostle, ‘What hast thou that thou hast not received from God? and if thou hast received it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?’ But in the cross of tribulation and affliction we may glory, because, as the Apostle says again, ‘I will not glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Amen.”

From the Little Flowers of St. Francis

The post Father St. Francis: What is Perfect Joy? first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Apr 21, 2023, on how how to define Franciscanism, the cornerstones of Franciscan spirituality, as he continues his series on this subject.

Focus on Christ in the present, not in the past or the future.

St Maximilian Kolbe lived Franciscanim differently than St Giles of Assisi

Typical 3 periods of a religious order, 1 founder, 2 doctrinal, 3 growth

Ciccerelli Franciscan Spirituality is Gospel lived integrally in conforming to the church and in the needs of the times.

Must have love as the inspiration for every action

Move from fear to love which is the fulfillment of the law Rom 13: 10 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/13?10

1 John 4: 16 God is love – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4?16

Love is the center of Franciscan spirituality, and this will be talked about more in future homilies

Christ is the starting point as opposed to God-centered from earlier times or man-centered from later times

Means of union poverty, humility, and suffering, in other words, the cross, is not an end but a means

Fruits:

1 – interior joyful freedom to overcome oneself and the world – John 16: 33 I have conquered the world – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?33

2 – simplicity, spiritual simplicity, going to God directly as a child

3 – perfect joy from the procession of God, that no person can take away, making all suffering sweet

from Romans 8: 28 – We know that all things work for good for those who love God –  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/8?28

4 – the Apostolate – our interior growth begins to bring benefit to others, bringing the light of Christ to all

Synthesis by Ciccarelli – Franciscan spirituality is the particular mode of conceiving and living the Christian ideal. It has love as the soul, as the animating force of every created and uncreated reality. It has Christ Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, as the foundation and center of the created universe and of the spiritual life of every man, of every person. It has the mystical union with God as its endpoint or goal.
It has God’s grace, along with poverty, humility, and suffering, as the means to reach this goal. It has as its fruits interior freedom and liberty, spiritual simplicity, perfect joy, and the apostolic work, the apostolate. And lastly, all of this is lived under a devout and faithful submission to the Church.

This is a continuation of his series of homilies on Franciscan Spirituality – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNN151zTIO4&list=PLejh_e0-LN4xgMllKrzSasL2Hljd5BHom

The material for this series comes primarily from Ciccarelli, Marciano M., “I capisaldi della spiritualità francescana” in Italian, which translates as “The Cornerstones of Franciscan Spirituality”. No English translations exist at the time of this recording.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Conrad of Parzham – Mem
Readings: Friday 2nd Week of Easter – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042123.cfm
1st: act 5:34-42
Resp: psa 27:1, 4, 13-14
Gsp: joh 6:1-15

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=630&r=1700

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The post Franciscan Spirituality #20: Defining Franciscanism – Apr 21 – Homily – Fr Terrance first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Apr 01, 2025, on how perfect joy, rooted in God through Jesus Christ, transcends suffering and external circumstances in Franciscan spirituality.
Father delves into Franciscan spirituality, emphasizing perfect joy as a key fruit. He describes God as perfect beatitude, inherently complete, while humans, created by God, seek Him for true happiness, as implied in ‘John 1: 3’—all things made through Him. Sin, stemming from our first parents (Genesis 3), shattered this joy, a consequence Father ties to ‘Romans 5: 12’—sin entered through one man. Jesus Christ restores this through His cross, fulfilling the angel’s announcement in ‘Luke 2: 10-11’ of a Savior’s birth. In His ministry, Jesus outlines this joy in the Beatitudes, ‘Matthew 5: 3-12,’ blessing the poor, meek, and persecuted. Before His death, He promises unbreakable joy in ‘John 15: 11’ and ‘John 16: 22,’ a fullness no one can steal. St. Paul embodies this, rejoicing amid trials in ‘2 Corinthians 7: 4,’ while ‘Philippians 4: 4’ urges us to rejoice always. Father links this to the Catechism, noting baptism’s role in uniting us to Christ’s joy, ‘CCC 1257.’ Unlike fleeting pleasure, perfect joy flows from intimacy with God, unshaken by circumstances.

For Further Reading

• Luke 2: 10-11 – NAB – Angel announces Savior’s birth – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?10
• Matthew 5: 3-12 – NAB – The Beatitudes of Jesus – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?3
• John 15: 11 – NAB – Jesus promises complete joy – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?11
• John 16: 22 – NAB – Joy no one can take – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?22
• 2 Corinthians 7: 4 – NAB – Paul’s joy in tribulation – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/7?4
• Philippians 4: 4 – NAB – Rejoice in the Lord always – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/4?4
• Catechism of the Catholic Church #1257 – Baptism’s necessity and grace – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1257
• Catechism of the Catholic Church #2677 – Mary’s intercession for us – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2677.htm

00:00 – Introduction to Franciscan Spirituality
00:19 – Understanding Perfect Joy
00:56 – Jesus Restores True Joy
01:14 – The Gospel Promise of Joy
01:26 – Beatitudes: The Path to Joy
01:56 – Christ’s Promise of Fullness of Joy
02:16 – Joy in the Teachings of Paul
02:34 – Spiritual Joy in Franciscan Life
03:29 – Seeking Joy Through Our Lady

This is a continuation of his series on Franciscan spirituality and the subsection, “The Fruits,” explaining the four fruits of Franciscan spirituality: interior freedom, holy simplicity, perfect joy, and the works of the apostolate. – Play List – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNN151zTIO4&list=PLejh_e0-LN4xgMllKrzSasL2Hljd5BHom . The material for this series comes primarily from Ciccarelli, Marciano M., “I capisaldi della spiritualità francescana” in Italian, which translates as “The Cornerstones of Franciscan Spirituality.” No English translations of this book exist at the time of this recording.

Ave Maria!

Mass: Tuesday 4th Week of Lent – Wkdy
Readings:  – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040125.cfm
1st: eze 47:1-9, 12
Resp: psa 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
Gsp: joh 5:1-3, 5-16

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1672

Also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AbcYbUnnh/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/9FQuoZD3qvo

The post FS 115 – The Fruits, Part 6 – Apr 01 – Homily – Fr Terrance first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Apr 07, 2025, on how St. Francis found perfect joy through poverty, humility, and suffering for Jesus.

Father delves into St. Francis’ journey to perfect joy, a cornerstone of Franciscan spirituality. Initially a joyful youth, Francis’ nostalgia for the infinite blossomed through penance and grace, dying to worldly desires and birthing a new joy rooted in “Lady Poverty.” This spouse, unlike the revelries of his past, freed him from greed and pride, as he became the “herald of the great King.” Joy flowed from humility, his willingness to beg, and daily work offered to God, purifying the soul (CCC 1472). Perfect joy also sprang from battling temptation, aligning with St. Paul’s glory in tribulation (Romans 5:3), and uniting with Jesus’ passion (2 Corinthians 12:9). Father highlights the “fioretto of perfect joy” from the Flowers of St. Francis, echoing St. Paul’s words, “With all our affliction, I wrinkle overjoyed” (2 Corinthians 7:4). Suffering for Christ, Father explains, rejuvenates the soul, a paradox pagans cannot grasp. This joy shines in ordinary life—monotonous duties reflecting God’s will (CCC 901)—and elevates the spirit, drawing us closer to redemption. Father urges us to seek this grace through Our Lady, embracing crosses as St. Francis did, finding joy amid exile. Optimized for SEO, this homily reveals how poverty, humility, and the cross unlock Franciscan joy, grounded in scripture and tradition.

For Further Reading:
Romans 5:3 – NAB – Glory in Tribulations – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/5?3
2 Corinthians 12:9 – NAB – Power in Weakness – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/12?9
2 Corinthians 7:4 – NAB – Joy Amid Affliction – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/7?4
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1472 – Purification of Sin – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#1472
Catechism of the Catholic Church #901 – Offering Daily Duties – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p4.htm#901
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2546 – Poverty of Heart – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a0.htm#2546

00:00 – Introduction
00:10 – Meaning of Perfect Joy
00:25 – St. Francis’s Early Life
01:10 – Conversion and New Joy
01:25 – Embracing Lady Poverty
03:03 – Humility and Daily Detachment
04:03 – Suffering for the Love of Jesus
04:50 – Joy and Pain United in Christ

This is a continuation of his series on Franciscan spirituality and the subsection, “The Fruits,” explaining the four fruits of Franciscan spirituality: interior freedom, holy simplicity, perfect joy, and the works of the apostolate.
Peace to allPlay List – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNN151zTIO4&list=PLejh_e0-LN4xgMllKrzSasL2Hljd5BHom . The material for this series comes primarily from Ciccarelli, Marciano M., “I capisaldi della spiritualità francescana” in Italian, which translates as “The Cornerstones of Franciscan Spirituality.” No English translations of this book exist at the time of this recording.

Ave Maria!

Mass: Monday 5th Week of Lent – Wkdy
Readings:  – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040725.cfm
1st: dan 13:41-62
Resp: psa 23:1-6
Gsp: joh 8:1-11

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1677

Also on Facebook:
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/CuYEzPGs7P4

The post FS 116 – The Fruits, Part 7 – Apr 07 – Homily – Fr Terrance first appeared on AirMaria.com.