«I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and revealed them to babes» (Mt 11:25).

Jesus is the only one who can truly call the Lord of heaven and earth Father, but into this familiarity he introduces everyone.

Clare, seedling of the blessed Father Francis, with her special character of simplicity and littleness had attained, by Grace, such a great familiarity with the Lord that she moved in total harmony with Him.

Consulting the Sources, in the Legend we read of the degree of the Saint's intimate union with the divine Bridegroom.

"How much strength and support she received in the furnace of ardent prayer, how sweet the divine goodness was to her in that fruition, is attested by proven evidence.

For when he returned in the joy of holy prayer, he brought back from the fire of the altar of the Lord burning words, such as inflamed the hearts of his sisters.

For they noted with admiration that a certain gentleness radiated from his face and that his face seemed brighter than usual' (FF 3199).

In a letter to Ermentrude of Bruges* he recommends:

"Always be attentive and vigilant in prayer. Bring to its consummation the good you have begun, and fulfil the mystery you have embraced in holy poverty and sincere humility" (FF 2916).

Such was Clare, a simple and small creature, capable of rejoicing at every gift received, at every tiny reality that spoke to her of the Eternal.

"She received with great joy the scraps of alms, the pieces of bread that the beggars brought back and, almost sad for the whole loaves, she was happy instead for those little pieces" (FF 3188).

A woman conformed to Christ in everything, she considered herself a nothing before God.

In her Testament she exhorted meekness and humility of heart, as a loving Mother:

"Again I beg her who will be in charge of the sisters, that she may endeavour to preside over the others more by virtue and holiness of life than by dignity, so that, animated by her example, the sisters may lend obedience to her, not so much because of the office she occupies, but out of love.

Let her also be provident and discreet towards her sisters, like a good mother towards her daughters [...].

May she still be so affable and accessible to all that the sisters may confidently manifest their needs to her and have recourse to her at every hour with confidence [...]" (FF 2848).

Meekness and humility: stature of the little ones, to whom the Mysteries of the Kingdom are revealed, finding consolation in loving with the sentiments of Christ.

*Ermentrude of Bruges: to her we owe the spread of the Order of the Poor Clares in Flanders.

St Catherine of Siena, 29 April  (Mt 11:25-30)

In the opening verses of John 3 Jesus emphasises to the Pharisee Nicodemus, who questioned him, the urgency of being born again from above by the Holy Spirit.

In the Sources, Francis shows a special affection for the Spirit of God, allowing Him to act in his life. The Finger of God reciprocates him with frequent visits and his holy operation in every vicissitude.

Exploring the Franciscan documents, there are many episodes that attest to the surprising action of the Spirit in the Poverello. They highlight Francis as a new creature, reborn from water and the Giver of gifts, sown in his journey of transformation.

The Sources attest:

"Francis wanted one day to go to a hermitage* to devote himself more freely to contemplation; but as he was very weak, he obtained from a poor peasant the use of his donkey.

It was summertime, and the peasant who was following the Saint by climbing mountain paths was dead tired from the harshness and length of the journey.

Suddenly, before reaching the hermitage, he felt himself parched with thirst. He began to cry out after the Saint, begging him to have mercy on him, for without the comfort of a little water he would certainly have died.

The Saint, ever compassionate towards the afflicted, leapt from the donkey, and kneeling on the ground raised his hands to heaven and did not cease to pray until he felt he had been granted.

"Up, quickly," he cried to the farmer, "there you will find living water, which merciful Christ has now brought forth from the rock to quench your thirst.

Wondrous pleasing to God, who so easily bends to his servants! 

The man drank the water that gushed forth from the rock by the merit of the one who prayed and quenched his thirst at the hard flint. There had never been a stream of water in that place, nor was it found afterwards, no matter how many searches were made.

What wonder, if a man filled with the Holy Spirit brings together in himself the wondrous works of all the righteous? It is certainly not an extraordinary thing, if he repeats deeds similar to those of other saints who have the gift of being united to Christ by a special grace" (FF 632).

He who believes becomes himself Living Water that gushes forth for the benefit of all, because he is reborn from above.

«Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God» (Jn 3:5)

Monday 2nd wk. in Easter  (Jn 3:1-8)

On the first day of the week Jesus went behind closed doors into the place where the disciples were gathered.

He gave them the mandate to proclaim the Good News, "breathing" on them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit.

Thomas, absent, struggled to believe and received a reprimand from Jesus for claiming to see and touch, without accepting the testimony of the other disciples.

Yet Thomas sought the first-hand experience of the Risen One.

The Poor Man of Assisi and his brothers grew in faith also through an active encounter with the Lord in lived poverty, solitude and prayer experienced in daily life.

Faith in Jesus, who had died on the cross as an evildoer to assure us of Life without end, overflowed into the bare minority existence of Francis and his disciples.

Certainly it was a divine gift, but it was also the fruit of a non-formal relationship, developed in the itinerary undertaken.

It is worth recalling what the Sources attest:

"[Francis] taught them to praise God in all creatures; to honour priests with particular veneration, as well as to believe firmly and confess frankly the truth of the faith [...].

They observed in everything and for everything the teachings of the holy father and, as soon as they saw some church from afar, or some cross, they turned towards it, prostrating themselves humbly on the ground and praying according to the form indicated to them" (FF 1069).

Clare herself, in her Letter to Ermentrude of Bruges, regarding the life of Faith, suggests:

"Remain, therefore, O dearest one, faithful until death to Him to whom you are bound for ever. And surely you will be crowned by Him with the crown of life.

The time of toil here below is short, but the reward is eternal.

Let not the splendours of the world that passes like a shadow daunt thee.

Let not the empty images of this deceiving world surprise you; close your ears to the hisses of hell and break its temptations from strength.

Endure adversity willingly, and let not pride swell your heart in prosperous things; these call you to your faith, those require it" (FF 2914).

The experience of God in their lives had been so strong, so incisive and so merciful that they could speak as no one had ever done.

«Thomas answered and said to him, 'The Lord of mine and the God of mine!'» (Jn 20:28)

2nd Easter Sunday  (Jn 20:19-31)

The Risen Jesus manifested Himself several times to the disciples and, despite their unbelief and hardness of heart, sent them out into the world to proclaim the Gospel to every creature.

Francis was a proclaimer on every opportune and untimely occasion of the crucified and risen Christ. His inner experience had made him a Herald of the Word.

Consulting the Sources, in the Vita prima of Celano, we read:

"At the time when [...] he preached to the birds, the venerable Father Francis, travelling through towns and villages to scatter the seed of blessing everywhere, also arrived in Ascoli Piceno.

In this city he proclaimed the word of God with such fervour that all, full of devotion, by the grace of the Lord, flocked to him, eager to see and hear him.

The crowd was extraordinary, and as many as thirty, including clerics and lay people, became his disciples, receiving the religious habit from his own hands.

Men and women worshipped him with such faith that anyone who could touch his robe considered himself supremely fortunate" (FF 430).

"When he entered a town, the clergy rejoiced, bells were rung, men exulted, women congratulated, children applauded, and often went to meet him with twigs in their hands and singing psalms.

The heresy was covered with confusion, the faith of the Church triumphed; while the faithful were filled with jubilation, the heretics became fugitives.

The signs of his holiness were so evident that no heretic dared dispute with him, while the whole crowd obeyed him" (FF 431).

In his evangelical itinerary, going and proclaiming the Word to every creature under heaven was a vital dimension of following sine glossa in the footsteps of the Risen One.

But meeting the Poor Man was also an experience of great impact and resurrection for the people, because the Saint was an eloquent witness to newness of life.

«Going into all the world, preach the gospel to every creature» (Mk 16:15).

Octave of Easter Saturday  (Mk 16:9-15)

The Risen Jesus returned to manifest Himself to His disciples on the Lake of Tiberias, inviting them to go fishing.

The disciples believed and immediately experienced the fruitfulness of gestures made in unity with Christ.

The beloved disciple, the one with the enlarged heart and sharp eyes, before the abundance of the catch, said: «It is the Lord!» (Jn 21:7).

In the time in which he lived, Francis truly revealed himself as "the lesser one" loved by Jesus.

With introspective capacity combined with Grace, he became a fruitful missionary, working wonders with the power of the Risen One, casting the net on the right side.

The Sources narrate a significant episode that occurred at a hermitage near Rieti (Fonte Colombo).

Visited by the doctor for the cure of his eyes, Francis asked his companions to take him to lunch and prepare something good for him.

"'Father,' replied the watchman, 'we tell you with blushes, we are ashamed to invite you, so poor are we at this time.

"Would you like me to repeat it to you?" insisted the saint.

The doctor was present and intervened: "I, dearest brothers, will esteem your penury a delight".

The friars in all haste arrange on the table what is in the pantry: a little bread, not much wine, and to make the meal more sumptuous, the kitchen sends some pulses.

But the Lord's table in the meantime moves to take pity on the servants' table.

There was a knock at the door and they ran to open it: there was a woman carrying a basket full of beautiful bread, fish and shrimp pies, and on top plenty of honey and grapes.

At such a sight, the poor diners sparkled with joy, and putting aside that misery for the next day, they ate of the delicious food.

The moved doctor exclaimed:

"Neither we seculars nor you friars really know the holiness of this man".

And they would certainly have been fully fed, but more than the food had satiated them the miracle.

Thus the loving eye of the Father never despises his own, rather he assists those most in need with most generous provision.

The poor man feeds at a richer table than the king's, as God surpasses man in generosity" (FF 629).

The beloved disciple believed and did things equal to the Master.

Francis, filled with the Spirit of the Risen One, recognised him in the events of life and repeated with deeds:

«It is the Lord!».

Truly, every day he testified to the Presence of the Risen One, who stood by his intimates, teaching them and performing wonders.

Friday between the octave of Easter  (Jn 21:1-14)

The Risen One, before ascending to the Father, appeared to the Eleven and the other disciples, making his great commission: to be witnesses of new life, preaching the Gospel to all peoples.

The Poor Man of Assisi, always absorbed in contemplation of the mysteries of Christ, understood that in the name of the crucified and risen Lord, conversion and the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all men.

His open mind enabled him to keenly scrutinise and penetrate the Scriptures, considering them of supreme importance.

Indeed, the Sources illustrate:

"The preacher," he said, "must first draw in the secret of prayer what he will then pour out in his speeches.

First he must warm himself inwardly, so as not to utter cold words outwardly'.

It is an office, he emphasised, worthy of reverence, and all must revere those who exercise it: 

They are the life of the body, the adversaries of demons, they are the lamp of the world [...].

He once had it written as a general rule:

"We must honour and venerate all theologians and those who dispense the word of God to us as those who administer spirit and life"" (FF 747).

And again the Greater Legend instructs:

"He sought the salvation of souls with passionate piety, with zeal and fervent jealousy and, therefore, he said that he felt himself filled with the sweetest perfumes and, so to speak, sprinkled with precious ointment, when he heard that his brothers scattered throughout the world, with the sweet perfume of their holiness, induced many to return to the right path.

On hearing such news, he exulted in the spirit and filled with enviable blessings those brothers who, by word and deed, led sinners to the love of Christ" (FF 1138).

The fulfilment of the Scriptures about Jesus becomes for Francis the entry of the Kerigma into his spiritual journey, with the consequent transformation of the Poverello into a Servant of the Word proclaimed with faith and witnessed by works.

The Easter of the crucified and risen Lord resulted in the tireless preaching of salvation at the price of his blood shed for all in remission of the sins of the whole world.

The Minim made his own the mission entrusted by Christ to the disciples, driven by the power of the Spirit, towards the Kingdom of God.

«Thus it is written, that Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and that conversion for the remission of sins would be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Lk 24:46-47).

Easter Octave Thursday  (Lk 24:35-48)

The Risen Jesus came alongside the disciples of Emmaus who were conversing with Him about what had happened in Jerusalem. He put them to the test.

The body of Christ was now in a new, glorious condition while retaining its identity. To recognise Him required the faith and freedom of God's children.

For Francis, poverty and freedom of spirit combined with faith were the fundamental framework of his existential parable as a "minor".

Asking for alms, for example, even at Easter time, living the condition of a wayfarer on a journey, was for him an admirable exercise of the aforementioned values.

Leafing through the Sources, in the Major Legend, we read:

"Once, on the holy day of Easter, since he was in a hermitage very far from the town and there was no possibility of going begging, mindful of the One who on that same day appeared to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, in the figure of a pilgrim, he asked for alms, as a pilgrim and poor man, from his own brothers.

As he received it, he taught them with holy discourses to continually celebrate the Passover of the Lord, passing through the desert of the world in poverty of spirit and as pilgrims and strangers and as true Jews.

For in begging alms he was not driven by the lust for gain, but by the freedom of the Spirit. God, the father of the poor, showed a special solicitude for him" (FF 1129).

And it was that inner freedom together with faith that became the door of recognition of the Risen Christ at the breaking of the bread, as at Emmaus.

Francis had three-dimensional eyes, enabling him to go beyond appearances, grasping the substance of the message before him.

Indeed, in the Admonitions, he expresses himself thus:

"Behold, every day he humbles himself, as when from the royal seat he descended into the Virgin's womb; every day he himself comes to us in humble appearance [...].

And as he showed himself to the holy apostles in the true flesh, so also now he shows himself to us in the consecrated bread.

And just as they with the eyes of their body saw only the flesh of him, but contemplating him with the eyes of the spirit, they believed that he was the same God, so we too, seeing the bread and wine with the eyes of the body, must see and firmly believe that this is his most holy body and blood, living and true" (FF 144).

The Poverello had acquired, by grace, the interior capacity to decipher the footsteps of the Lord in the ordinary of days, with true concreteness.

«And it came to pass that when he was set at table with them, he took bread, pronounced the blessing, and broke it, and gave it to them. Now their eyes were opened and they recognised him» (Lk 24:30-31)

Wednesday between the Easter octave  (Lk 24:13-35)

«Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?» (Jn 20:15).

Mary of Magdala wept for her Lord near the tomb. Lost and grieving, she grieved not knowing where he was, until Jesus made himself present.

Clare too, in the enclosure of San Damiano, wept while praying for her Christ, uniting herself to his Passion, while awaiting the Resurrection.

In the Legend we read:

"She had now fixed in the Light the burning gaze of inner desire and, having transcended the sphere of human vicissitudes, she opened wide the field of her spirit to the rain of Grace.

[...] Very often, prostrate in prayer with her face to the ground, she bathed the ground with tears and brushed it with kisses: so that she seemed always to have her Jesus in her arms, whose feet she bathed with tears, on whom she pressed kisses" (FF 3197).

Clare inwardly sought the Lord, even for those who did not desire Him.

She was careful not to hold back Christ who was ascending to the Father, living the announcement of the Resurrection with a face of light, testifying to the present vision of Him to the brothers and sisters who approached her.

He lived the perennial earthly Exodus in view of the Promised Land, which he already savoured in small doses.

Francis, for his part, jester of the Resurrection, mourned the Passion of Love, corroborated by existential rebirth.

Again, in St Bonaventure's Major Legend:

"To those who saw him, he seemed a man from another world: one who, his mind and face always turned to heaven, strove to draw all upwards" (FF 1072).

Just as Mary of Magdala made the transition from outside (near the tomb) to inside her own soul - to recognise the Risen Jesus.

So Francis, after living on the outside, among cheerful Assisian brigades, had encountered the "Rabbuni" within his heart.  Recognising and deciphering the Master of his life, in prayer before the Crucifix of San Damiano.

There finding God, he found himself again; in the midst of weeping and perfect joy.

Jesus also asked him the question: «Why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?» (Jn 20:15).

The Damianite Crucifix became the place of his resurrection, where the tears of a missed life, spent in solace, gave way to the Calling by name, in view of a personal and communitarian regeneration.

At Saint Damian, when a divine Voice came to him from the Crucifix inviting him to change his life, the Poor Man uttered this prayer

"Rapture, I pray thee, O Lord,

the burning and sweet power of your love

my mind from all things that are under heaven,

that I might die for love of thy love,

As thou hast deigned to die

for love of my love" (FF 277).

Octave of Easter Tuesday  (Jn 20:11-18)