The Gospel of the Solemnity of Pentecost highlights, through Jesus, the sending of the Holy Spirit:
"When the Paraclete comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness of me; and you also bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning" (Jn 15:26-27).
Francis of Assisi lived and served under the banner of the Holy Spirit, considered the Minister General of the Order.
He was, in fact, frequently visited by Him, who guided him inwardly.
In the Second Life of Celano we are given a very interesting passage in this regard.
"It is not right to overlook the remembrance of the spiritual edifice, far nobler than the material one, which the Father, after the repair of the church*, erected there under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to increase the heavenly city.
And it cannot be believed that Christ spoke to him from the wood of the Cross in such a stupendous manner as to instil fear and pain in those who hear of it, only to repair a fallen work, destined to perish. But, as the Holy Spirit had once foretold, an Order of holy virgins was to arise there, destined to be moved in due time, as a chosen mass of living stones, to restore the heavenly house.
Truly, after the virgins of Christ began to gather in that place, coming from various parts of the world, and made there a profession of supreme perfection, observing the highest poverty, in the splendour of all virtue, the Father gradually withdrew his physical presence from them. For when the Father, from the many proofs of the highest perfection they had given, knew them ready to sustain for Christ every earthly harm and every sacrifice [...] he firmly promised them and the others [...] that he would give his help and counsel and that of his brothers for ever.
As long as he lived, he always scrupulously kept these promises, and, as he approached his death, he commanded with care that they should always be continued: for, he said, one and the same Spirit has brought the brothers and those poor women out of this evil world" (FF 793).
It always rained on the Order, especially throughout the lives of Francis and Clare, a continuous Pentecost, an outpouring of the Spirit that went beyond the walls and spread everywhere.
In the Form of Life, written by Francis for the Damianite sisters [preserved in the same Rule of Clare] we read:
"Since, by divine inspiration, you have made yourselves daughters and handmaids of the most high King, the heavenly Father, and have espoused the Holy Spirit, choosing to live according to the perfection of the holy Gospel, I wish and promise on my part and that of my brothers, always to have special care and solicitude for you, as for them" (FF 139).
Francis and Clare and their fraternities lived contemplating and welcoming the Breath of the Spirit, their Master and Guide.
Indeed, Francis with his brothers:
"At Pentecost they gathered at St Mary's [...] and discussed how they could better observe the Rule; they sent brothers to different regions to preach, others they distributed in their provinces" (FF 1466).
The Fire of the Spirit directed and enlightened them.
* The church of San Damiano is alluded to.
Pentecost Sunday B (Jn15:26-27;16:12-15)
