Prior to his conversion, the young son or a rich merchant was sensitive to the miserable lot of the poor and was generous in giving alms; during his penitential itinerary he increased his donations to lepers and others in need.[1]But when he saw himself as one among the poorest, he went from being a provident almsgiver to becoming a beggar himself, since his work of restoring churches was voluntary and free. “He begged for prepared foods from door to door throughout Assisi.” All his sensitivity and pride rebelled at the shame he felt, yet he overcame himself, speaking in the language of the troubadours.[2]
Once
he discovered his form of life while listening to the Gospel of the mission of
the Twelve, his choice to follow Christ in total poverty was final. The group
at Rivo Torto began to obtain what they needed through occasional work and begging.
With an exquisite understanding of his companions, Francis did not at first
impose on them anything too hard, for example, on knights such as Bernard of
Quintavalle and Angelo Tancredi, or on learned noblemen such as Peter of
Cattani and Philip the Tall. He preferred to go along begging from door to
door, until he saw that they were spiritually ready for such an exercise in
minority.[3]
Today
the Franciscan expression “the table of the Lord” can be taken to include alms
spontaneously offered by the benefactors or those who benefit from the services
of the friars or the alms requested when the friars are in need. In the latter
case it will be needed for the friars to make known their needs truthfully and honestly so as not to give the
impression that they are habitual beggars.[4]
[1]Cf.
Thomas of Celano, The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul,
II, in Early Documents, II,244.
[2]Cf.
Thomas of Celano, The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul,
XL, in Early Documents, II,252.
[3] Cf. The Assisi Compilation, 51, in Early
Documents, II, 150-151; Cf. Fonti
Francescane, a cura di E. Caroli, Padua, 2009, p. 910-911.
[4]
Cf. Iriarte, Recourse to “The Table of the Lord”,62.
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