"Authentic Franciscan spirituality may be defined as the cultivation of
the Franciscan virtues: humility instead of self-centered ambition,
poverty as a means of achieving freedom of spirit, joyful confidence in
God which prevents our losing heart amid the difficulties of life, and finally the desire to serve as true apostles and witnesses as an
expression of our love of the Lord."
(Cardinal F. Antonelli, OFM)
Franciscan spirituality is
- Christocentric, for it sees in the person of Jesus Christ the human face of God, a light who reveals the world to itself as existing from and for God, stamped with God's beauty and goodness.
- Self-emptying, coming among us as a servant, pouring Himself out for us, Christ has revealed the depth of the love of God for all. It is this love that we seek to enter more fully through our consecration.
- Humble acceptance is a distinct expression of ourselves in the Franciscan spiritual tradition emphasizing other persons, and indeed all created things, as unique gifts of God, and sharing their gifts freely in a spirit of joyful thanks for the service of all.