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Our Sunday Visitor July 31, 1983
"The Little Brothers of St. Francis, as they call themselves, represent a new breed of Franciscan Friars who are trying to revive in the 20th Century a way of life that was lived by the little poor man of Assisi almost 800 years ago.
Like other Franciscans they live simply, practice poverty and bring Christ's love to the poor. But, unlike most Franciscans, they are contemplatives who devote themselves to regular monastic prayer and devotion.
This tiny community- at present time there are only two members- is one of perhaps 100 small Franciscan communities that have emerged throughout the world over the past 10 or 15 years.
Although all these communities are different, they have a lot in common. They tend to emphasize contemplative prayer as Francis and his earliest followers did, devoting themselves to being constantly mindful of God.
In an age when many Religious are abandoning the wearing of habits, many of these Franciscans make a point of wearing theirs both in public and in private as a visible sign of their committment to follow Jesus.
They base their way of life on a brief and little known document written by Francis himself as a guide to friars called to contemplative religious life.
According to this document,, known as the "Rule for Hermitages", three or at most four brothers should live and pray together in a manner that is both Franciscan and monastic.
Although the same rule has become the cornerstone of the new Franciscan communities, the communities are not directly affiliated with eachother, and each community has developed its own unique character."
This tiny community- at present time there are only two members- is one of perhaps 100 small Franciscan communities that have emerged throughout the world over the past 10 or 15 years.
Although all these communities are different, they have a lot in common. They tend to emphasize contemplative prayer as Francis and his earliest followers did, devoting themselves to being constantly mindful of God.
In an age when many Religious are abandoning the wearing of habits, many of these Franciscans make a point of wearing theirs both in public and in private as a visible sign of their committment to follow Jesus.
They base their way of life on a brief and little known document written by Francis himself as a guide to friars called to contemplative religious life.
According to this document,, known as the "Rule for Hermitages", three or at most four brothers should live and pray together in a manner that is both Franciscan and monastic.
Although the same rule has become the cornerstone of the new Franciscan communities, the communities are not directly affiliated with eachother, and each community has developed its own unique character."
