The Teacher of His Heart

Introduction

Introduction In the vast religious literature that deals with Francis of Assisi, the relationship of Francis with Christ occupies a considerable place. Is there any good reason for adding a new study on Christ in the thought of Saint Francis? Is this not a traditional topic and one that is already too overworked? As a matter of fact, the topic has been treated in many ways. Usually it is the historical point of view that prevails. The words, deeds, and actions of Francis are like the fabric used to create the early biographies, including the legends written by Thomas of Celano, the Three Companions, and Bonaventure.1 The same is true for the modern biographies, such as those of Paul Sabatier, Johannes Jörgensen, Cuthbert of Brighton, and Omer Engelbert. The most recent of these is Saint François d'Assise à la découverte du Christ pauvre et crucifié by StéphaneJoseph Piat.2 Here the author attempts to trace the various stages of Francis' spiritual journey, from his life in the world to his identification with Christ: the initial encounter, the deepening relationship, and the final union. Some scholars begin at the level of spirituality. They attempt to discover the motivations and manners that characterize the way Francis lived the Gospel and followed Christ. The best known of these are Hilarin Felder, Valentin Breton, Ephrem Longpré, and Agostino Gemelli.3 1Their works are listed in the bibliography. 2Paul Sabatier, Vie de saint François d'Assise, (Paris: Librairie Fischbacher, 1894) (1st edition). We have used the definitive edition of 1931; Johannes Jörgensen, Saint Francis of Assisi, trans. T. O'Conor Sloane, (New York: Longmans, Green, 1912);Cuthbert of Brighton, Life of Saint Francis of Assisi, (New York: Longmans, Green, 1912); Omer Englebert, Saint Francis of Assisi, trans. Eve Marie Cooper, (Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1965); S.–J. Piat, Saint François d'Assise à la découverte du Christ pauvre et crucifié, (Paris: Éditions Franciscaines, 1968). 3Hilarin Felder, The Ideals of Saint Francis of Assisi, trans. Berchmans Bittle, (New York: Benziger 1925); Valentin Breton, De l'imitation du Christ à l'école de saint François (Paris: Editions Franciscainès, 1938); Valentin Breton, Lady Poverty (Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, l963); Agostino Gemelli, Il francescanesimo, (Milan: Societa Editrice Vita e Pensiero, 1932); Agostino Gemelli, The Message of Saint Francis, trans. Paul J. Oligny (Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1964). 2 / Introduction Others, such as Kajetan Esser and Engelbert Grau, begin at the level of doctrine. By examining the various spiritual themes found in Francis, they attempt to discover the content of his faith.4 But until now no study has been specially devoted to the person of Christ. Even the work done by scholars such as Sigismund Verhey, and more recently Willibrord-Christian van Dijk, does not go into this particular aspect.5 The former attempts to discover the theology of the human person according to Francis of Assisi; the latter the general content of his Christian faith. Since these works deal with Francis' faith as a whole, they devote only a few pages to a consideration of the person of Christ. The best study by far is that of Octavian Schmucki, "The Place of Christ in the Prayer of Francis of Assisi."6 But as is clear from the title, the author limits himself to an analysis of the Poverello's prayers. On the doctrinal level, then, we are still without a detailed study of the person of Christ in the religious vision of Francis. I. Purpose of Our Study Situated on the doctrinal level, our study, as its title indicates, proposes to examine the person of Christ in the thought of Francis of Assisi. It is not a matter of discovering how Francis loved Christ and endeavored to imitate the life of the God-Man in its every detail. Rather, it is a matter of investigating how he represented the person of Christ, that is, His relationship with the other two persons of the Trinity, His relationship with us, and His place in salvation history. This Christological vision of Francis will allow us to understand the inner workings of his spirituality and the originality of his plan of life with respect to the general movement of the age toward the vita apostolica. In fact, we believe that the fundamental inspiration behind every religious 4Kajetan Esser, Repair My House, trans. Michael D. Meilach, (Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1963). Kajetan Esser and Engelbert Grau, Love's Reply, trans. Ignatius Brady, (Chicago: Franciscan...