Matthew 10: 9-11
“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave.”
This is the scripture that inspired a life of radical reversal for St. Francis of Assisi. He is one of the most studied, admired, written about and quoted saints in the history of Christianity. To quote Jon M. Sweeney in “The Road to Assisi: The Essential Biography of St. Francis,” he says: “Over the centuries, many authors have been profoundly affected as they have “lived” with Francis while recounting his life. Nikos Kazantzakis, the twentieth-century Greek novelist, said that, while writing his novel Saint Francis, often large teardrops smeared the manuscript. It is not simply that Francis’s ideals are worth recounting, but that his life was so extraordinary. He was fully human-like each of us in our awkwardness, insecurities, and fear, but he was also perhaps the purest example we have seen of a person striving to do what Jesus taught his disciples.”
It is for that reason that I love the opportunity his memorial brings! To revisit some of the magnanimous ways he lived out his faith and celebrate that with the family. We stocked up on library books, and journeyed back through some of the great legends of Francis, particularly his love for the animals. With today being his Feast Day, we followed the friar to the fields of Umbria (okay, maybe that was just me. The kids just wanted to play outside and swing on a tire ;)). Anyway, while I was pretending to be an Italian Maria Von Trapp, the rest of the family had a more realistic goal of just eating some salami and cookies. Ha. Here are some photos from our “Feast of St. Francis” celebration.
Books, and the bible to share some favorite scriptures. Blessed bonus: a rare near 80-degree October day!
You can’t go wrong with a plate of olives, salami, grapes and cheese. Simple and delicious.:) I also made Stromboli for the first time..what an easy recipe, I had no idea!
Karolina loved the “Wolf of Gubbio” cookies!
Yes, I told him pose for this picture. Lol.
Love.
In my hurried schedule, I was feeling extra grateful for our local library’s hearty selection of Francis books. One of the most unique, and beautifully done versions is called “And I, Francis: The Life of Francis of Assisi in Writing and Image.” I haven’t actually read the book because I’m so enamored by the pictures! If you are a more visual person, this will definitely appeal to you. We also read from the Bible and my favorite prayer book “Prayers for the Domestic Church” by Fr. Edward Hays. This is SUCH a good investment, highly recommend! Off to spend some snuggle time with the boys now. Have a great weekend!
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