The Holy Life: From Writings by Saint Francis of Assisi (vegetarian), Part 2 of 2

“The brothers shall appropriate nothing to themselves, neither a house nor place nor anything. And as pilgrims and strangers in this world, serving the Lord in poverty and humility, let them go confidently in quest of alms, nor ought they to be ashamed, because the Lord made Himself poor for us in this world. This, my dearest brothers, is the height of the most sublime poverty which has made you heirs and kings of the kingdom of Heaven: poor in goods but exalted in virtue. Let that be your portion, for it leads to the land of the living; a cleaving to it unreservedly, my best-beloved brothers, for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, never desire to possess anything else under Heaven.”

“And wheresoever the brothers are and may find themselves, let them mutually show among themselves that they are of one household. And let one make known his needs with confidence to the other, for if a mother nourishes and loves her carnal son, how much more earnestly ought one to love and nourish his spiritual brother! And if any of them should fall into illness, the other brothers must serve him as they would wish to be served themselves.”

“I also warn and exhort the brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ that they beware of all pride, vainglory, envy, covetousness, the cares, and solicitudes of this world, of detraction and murmuring. Let not those who are ignorant of letters care to learn letters, but let them consider that, beyond all, they should desire to possess the spirit of the Lord and His holy operation, to pray always to Him with a pure heart, and to have humility, patience in persecution and in infirmity and to love those who persecute, reprove, and accuse us, because the Lord has said: ‘Love your enemies and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you.’ ‘Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.’ ‘But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved.’”

LAST WISH WHICH ST. FRANCIS WROTE TO ST. CLARE. “I, little brother Francis, wish to follow the life and poverty of Jesus Christ our Most High Lord and of His Most Holy Mother and to persevere therein until the end. And I beseech you all, my ladies, and counsel you, to live always in this most holy life and poverty. And watch yourselves well that you in no wise depart from it through the teaching or advice of any one.”