Franciscan Commitment to Peacemaking and

Non-Violence 

     Rocca Maggiore is a fortress that dominates the town of Assisi.  Built between the 14th and 16th century, it was destroyed in a war for dominance by the Merchants of Assisi in 1188 rebelling against nobility rule and feudalism.  Later rebuilt, visitors today have a magnificent view over the Umbrian Plain and the many historical sites of Assisi.

     Francis and his brother and father worked for the destruction of Rocca Maggiore..  Francis was 16 years old at the time and he was filled with dreams of knighthood, fame and glory.  While this fortress may remind us of Francis' youthful dreams, it now stands as a symbol of his lifetime work as a peacemaker.  True, he and other Assisians stormed the castle in order to overthrow foreign rulers and keep them out, but he later broke down walls and brought people in.  Thus, Francis' true gift lay in his ability to be an ambassador for reconciliation and peace during his entire life.

Once Francis greeted a man he had known in his youth.  When asked how things were going, the man began to curse his lord who had taken all his goods away from him. Francis said to him: "Brother, forgive your lord out of love for God, so that you may free your soul."  The man said to Francis: "I cannot forgive him unless he first gives back what he had taken."  Then Blessed Francis took his mantle off and give it to him saying:  "Behold, I give you this mantle and I beg you to forgive your lord out of love for God." Softened and moved by Francis' kindness, the man took the gift and forgave the wrongs that had been done to him. (Celano, Second Life 89)

Reflection:

     Recognizing the violence in my own heart, yet trusting in the goodness and mercy of God, I desire to open myself, as Francis did, to practice the nonviolence of Jesus who taught us in the Sermon on the Mount.

"How blest are the poor in spirit: the reign of God is    

   theirs..

Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled.

Blest are the lowly; they shall inherit the land.

Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness;

   they shall have their fill.

Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall

   be theirs.

Blest are the single-hearted for they shall

   see God.

Blest too are the peacemakers; they shall

   be called children of God.

Blest are those persecuted for holiness'

   sake; the reign of God is theirs.

Blest are you when they insult you

   and  persecute you and utter every kind

   of slander against you because of me.

Be glad and rejoice; for your reward is great

   in heaven;  they persecuted the prophets           in the very same way. Mt: Chap 5:1-13)    

I can carry out in my life the love and example    of Jesus...   

* by striving for peace within myself and              seeking to be a peacemaker in my daily life.

* by accepting suffering rather than inflicting it.

* by persevering in nonviolence of tongue and

    heart.                            .

* by living simply so that I do not deprive      

   others of a means to live.

* by working nonviolently to abolish war and

   and the cause for war from my own heart

   and from the face of the earth.

"Sisters of St. Francis, Mission Statement, 1998."