What I’ve Learned from the Franciscans

What I’ve Learned from the Franciscans

Posted by on Jun 4, 2012 in Featured, Franciscan, Spirituality | 0 comments

In a few short months, I will have been working at Franciscan Media for five years. As I say goodbye to my twenties this month and I reflect on the last decade, it becomes apparent that a large part of my life has (naturally) centered around my job and my work “family.”

My coworkers and I work in Catholic publishing, yes, but more specifically, we work for the Franciscans—our efforts support the life, ministries, and charities of the Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province, who sponsor our work.

I love the Franciscan charism and the deep, rich history of the Franciscan order, which started over 800 years ago in Assisi. I love walking down the hall at work and occasionally seeing the brown robes worn by our friars; I love the large San Damiano cross hanging in the hallway; I love seeing my coworkers wearing tau crosses; I love that we’ve named our conference rooms “Assisi” and “Clare”; I love witnessing the exuberant and renewed faces of those who have just arrived back from an Assisi pilgrimage, forever changed by walking in the footsteps of Francis and Clare; I love that we offer a Franciscan library of products.

Franciscan Jubilee 2012. (Photo from our province's website.)

I could go on and on, but instead, here’s what the Franciscans have taught me (in no particular order), which I pray I will always carry with me:

  • Care for the earth
  • Care for all creation
  • A special love and care for animals
  • Concern for the poor and devotion to the marginalized in society

One of my friends occasionally signs her e-mails, “To Jesus, through Mary.” When I reflect on that, I think about the many ways I am led to Jesus through St. Francis and the Franciscan order.

Thank you, Franciscans, for these gifts. What charism/orders are YOU attracted to?

Featured photo: VaCl/PhotoXpress

 
 

About the Author

Lindsey Simmons is the publicity, social and digital media manager at Franciscan Media. An animal lover, she shares her home with her rescue cat and dog. She’s a member of St. Gertrude Parish in Madeira, OH, where she’s served on the Stewardship Committee and with the young adult group.