Feast of St. Francis 10/4

Franciscan Education

The Seven Tenets of Franciscan Education

Around the year 1224, St. Francis of Assisi gave permission to a young and learned Brother, St. Anthony of Padua, to teach theology to the Brothers "as long as such study did not extinguish the spirit of prayer and devotion."  In the century that followed, a "Franciscan School" of scholars developed a Christ-centered theology and philosophy based on the life and teachings of St. Francis.  The outstanding Franciscan scholars of that period are St. Bonaventure and Blessed John Duns Scotus.  They followed the intentions of St. Francis that learning be placed at the service of living as Christ did; in other words, the quest for knowledge was not to be an end in itself, but a quest to live more authentically within oneself and morally within the world community.

Franciscan Education is based on love of the human person and on reverence for his or her God-given dignity.  It sees each person as a gift from God and, therefore, as a beloved brother or sister.  Knowledge can only be in the service of love.  Franciscan Education embodies the following values:

  • 1.  Franciscan Education is Incarnational

    Because God became human in Jesus of Nazareth, our tradition affirms that the Creator is found in creation, the divine in the human, the spiritual in the material, the abstract in the concrete, the theoretical in the practical, and the exalted in the humble.

  • 2.   Franciscan Education is Personal

    Because God is personal and we are made in the divine image, our tradition affirms the dignity of the human person and values each individual as a unique gift of priceless worth.

  • 3.   Franciscan Education is Communal

    Because God is a communion of love who draws us into divine fellowship and to a like communion with one another, our tradition promotes common worship; fosters welcoming, inclusive communities of brothers and sisters; and seeks to understand and sustain the profound interdependence of all creation.

  • 4.   Franciscan Education is Transformative 

    Because God has endowed us with the capability of self-transcendence and with an inexhaustible capacity for truth, goodness, beauty and love, our tradition is devoted to on-going, life-long intellectual, moral and spiritual conversion.

  • 5. Franciscan Education Engages the Heart 

    Because God is the source of all compassion and the fulfillment of all our desires, our tradition cultivates habits of the heart as much as dispositions of the mind, interpersonal skills as well as intellectual abilities, compassion for one's neighbor as well as passion for one's field of study.

  • 6. Franciscan Education Develops Servant-Leaders 

    Because God the Most High became "most low" in the poverty and humility of Jesus of Nazareth, our tradition seeks to instill in our students a perception of their life's work as service in solidarity with their brothers and sisters, especially the least among us.

  • 7.   Franciscan Education Pursues Wisdom

    Because God calls us to live rich, full lives in communion with our brother and sisters, our tradition seeks to discern what constitutes human happiness and what is of real and enduring value, and to apply this knowledge to the practice of making a good living and living a good life.

 

FRANCISCAN VALUES

 
SEPTEMBER - RIGHT RELATIONSHIP     
Living in harmony and respect for all of God's creation through learning
about our gifts/challenges in a context of mutual connection
(Trustworthiness, respect, caring, empathy)
 
OCTOBER - COVENANT WITH EARTH 
Demonstrating a commitment to maintaining and protecting the precious
gift of our planet (Respect, honesty, simplicity)
 
NOVEMBER - PEACEMAKING                      
Assisting others to resist conflict by our example; uniting with others to
promote peace.  (Courage, humility, caring, connection, empathy)
 
DECEMBER - PERFECT JOY                             
Permits one's flourishing by allowing God's love to flow into all aspects of
our heart, our mind, and our actions. (Spontaneity, joy, caring, inclusiveness)
 
JANUARY - JUSTICE                                         
Upholds the human dignity of all by protecting the unprotected,
promoting cooperation and following the commandments.  (Courage, integrity, honesty, advocacy)
 
FEBRUARY - FORGIVENESS                         
To acknowledge our uniqueness as we are open to being free of anger, grudges, and hostilities toward others.  (Honesty, flexibility, caring, openness)     
 
MARCH - SIMPLICITY                                             
Living with an awareness of God as the center of our life, being
appreciative of what God has given to us (earth, basic needs, talents); finding joy in what we have right now (humility, joy, contentment)
 
APRIL - CONVERSION                                      
A turning toward God:  being open to transition (faith, trust, hope).
 
MAY -  INCLUSION                                              
Loving others as Jesus did; embracing others as they are; celebrating difference.  Inclusion because it enhances our lives as well. (Courage, acceptance, caring)
 
JUNE - PRAYER                                                     
Dialogue/conversations with God that provides comfort, understanding, and direction (Presence, thoughtfulness, contemplation).