The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi - + Saints' Works

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THE WRITINGS OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI Part V: For the season of the Nativity of the Lord until the octave of Epiphany At Vespers on the Nativity of the Lord Antiphon: Holy Virgin Mary Psalm XV Exult God our helper (Ps 80:2a) + raise a shout of joy to the Lord God living and true in a voice of exultation (Ps 46:2b). Since the Lord (is) exalted + the terrible great King over every land (Ps 46:3). Because the Most Holy Father of Heaven, Our King before the ages (Ps 73:12a) ~ sent His Beloved (dilectio) Son from on high + and He was born of the Blessed Virgin, Holy Mary. He Himself invoked Me: Thou art My Father (Ps 88:27a) + and I will set Him as (My) firstborn, exalted before the kings of the Earth (Ps 88:28). On that day the Lord commanded His mercy + and at night His song (cf. Ps 41:9a-b). This is the day, which the Lord has made + let us exalt and be glad in it (Ps 117:24). Because the Most Holy Beloved Boy has been given to us ~ and He has been born on our behalf (cf. Is 9:6) on the road and placed in the manger + because there was no place in the inn (cf. Lk 2:7). Glory in the highest to the Lord God + and on earth peace to men of good will (cf. Lk 2:14). Let the heavens be glad and the earth exalt ~ let the sea be shaken and its fullness + the fields will rejoice and all, which is in them (Ps 95:11-12a). Sing to Him a new song + sing to the Lord every land (Ps 95:1). Since the Lord is great and exceedingly praiseworthy + terrible above all gods (Ps 95:4). Bring to the Lord you fatherlands of the nations ~ bring to the Lord glory and honor + bring to the Lord the glory of His Name (Ps 95:7-8a). Lift up your bodies ~ and bear His Holy Cross + and follow until the end His most holy precepts (cf. Lk 14:27; 1 Pt 2:21). Note, that this psalm is said from the Nativity of the Lord until the octave of Epiphany at all hours. If one wants to say this Office of blessed Francis, let him say it thus: first say the Our Father with the praises, namely: Holy, Holy, Holy. With the praises finished with the prayer as above the antiphon is begun: Holy Virgin Mary with the psalm, which has been established for each hour of the day and night. And let it be said with great reverence. Page - 72
A Prayer before the Crucifix [OrCruc] THE WRITINGS OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI According to the historical record, St. Francis was inspired to compose this prayer after an extraordinary revelation that occurred in the little church of San Damiano, just outside the walls of Assisi. On that occasion Our Lord, depicted in the large iconic Crucifix above the altar, spoke and commanded St. Francis with the words: "Francis, go and rebuild My Church, which as you can see, is falling into ruin." 247 This was in January of 1206 A.D. and this prayer was written down shortly afterwards. 248 Most High, glorious God, enlighten the shadows of my heart, and grant unto me right faith, certain hope and perfect charity, sense and understanding, Lord, so that I may accomplish Thy holy and true mandate. The Regula Bullata [RegB] Of all the rules of religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church the Rule of St. Francis has been the subject of the most controversies and the most Papal interventions and declarations. Indeed Pope Nicholas III went so far as to censure its detractors. 249 The reason for this lies in the Rule's perfect conformity to the highest standards of the Gospel. Yet the demands it places on the one who promises to observe it in this life are nothing in comparison to the glory to be won by him from Christ in the life to come. The official text of the Rule of St. Francis was approved on November 29, 1223 A.D. by Pope Honorius III in the Bull Solet Annuere. Hence it is customary to present the text of the Rule within that of the papal decree (as is done below within square brackets). The original of the Bull is kept at the Sacro Convento in Assisi. 250 K. Esser holds that, in all probability, St. Francis wrote the text of the Rule, which it requotes, in his own hand, sometime between Pentecost and November of 1223 A.D.. 251 [Honorius, 252 bishop, servant of the servants of God, to (Our) beloved sons, Friar Francis and the other friars from the Order of Friars Minor, health and apostolic benediction. The Apostolic See is accustomed to agree 253 to the pious wishes and upright desires of those asking to share in (Her) benevolent favor. On that account, beloved (dilectio) sons in the Lord, having yielded to your pious prayers, We confirm for you, by (Our) apostolic authority, the Rule of your 247 cf. 2 Celano 10; and St. Bonaventure's Legenda maior, II,1. There is a great variety and diversity among the ancient Italian translations of this prayer, cf. K. Esser, pp. 453-4. 248 K. Esser, p. 458. K. Esser does not divide this prayer into verses. 249 cf. Exiit qui seminat (Aug. 14, 1279 A.D.), n. 10, where the Pope declares the Rule to be "observable, possible, licit ... meritorious and perfect." 250 K. Esser, p. 459. The text of this Bull is thus not counted in the verse structure of the Rule in K. Esser's Latin edition. 251 K. Esser, pp. 460-1 and 476 respectively. 252 Honorius III (pope 1216-1227 A.D.). 253 lit. annuere, "to nod, to give assent by a nod." Page - 73
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