In Ubertino Da Casale's The Tree of the Crucified Life of Jesus written in 1305 is found a passage worthy of Franciscan vocation discernment. Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity offer an exerpt from Book 5, Chapter 4 as a prayer of love this Advent, Christmas season.
I beg you, Lord, let the glowing and honey-sweet force of Your love draw my mind away from all things that are under heaven, that I may die for love of the love of You, who thought it a worthy thing to die for love of the love of me.
(This prayer has been included in past collections of St. Francis' writings. Its authenticity is no longer accepted, however, as it is , it is a proven earlier medieval composition of patristic inspiration.)
Therefore, those sons [daughters] who have been fashioned in the likeness of their father, by the fire of his seraphic vision, must understand that their fashioning has to take place in their soul and be carried out by the glowing crucifixion of Jesus. So they will be living their lives like "little Christs," smaller figures of Jesus, as it were, perceiving themselves in their mortal flesh transformed into Christ.
(Like Francis and Clare, we are called to be "little Christs" in our world. Are you? We invite you to our February Vocation Discernment Retreat. Click here for more information.)
(This prayer has been included in past collections of St. Francis' writings. Its authenticity is no longer accepted, however, as it is , it is a proven earlier medieval composition of patristic inspiration.)
Therefore, those sons [daughters] who have been fashioned in the likeness of their father, by the fire of his seraphic vision, must understand that their fashioning has to take place in their soul and be carried out by the glowing crucifixion of Jesus. So they will be living their lives like "little Christs," smaller figures of Jesus, as it were, perceiving themselves in their mortal flesh transformed into Christ.
(Like Francis and Clare, we are called to be "little Christs" in our world. Are you? We invite you to our February Vocation Discernment Retreat. Click here for more information.)
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