Love of Neighbor: Ministry & Community

At a recent conference for Catholic young adults in the Diocese of Arlington, Fr. Rich Miserendino listed the striking parallels between Jesus present in the Eucharist and Jesus present in the poor – from the obligation of the Israelites to bring the poor into their own home for Passover (which was one of the prefigurements of the Eucharist) to the simplicity of barley loaves used by Jesus in the multiplication of the loaves.  He reminded the attendees that Jesus wants to be known in the breaking of the Bread and in the face of the poor.  They are not mutually exclusive.  Liturgy and loving service are inseparable in the life of a Catholic despite how they may have come to be associated with different “camps” within the Church (as Fr. Miserendino observed).  St. Francis of Assisi embodied this connection between love of Jesus in the Eucharist and love of Jesus in the poor.

Even before St. Francis’ conversion, he had a magnanimous heart that responded to the great dignity of each person he saw, especially the poor.  The biographer Johannes Jörgensen (1912) recounted on one occasion that “a pang went through [Francis’] heart when … he had sent a beggar away.”  Francis then said to himself, “If this man had come from one of my friends … from Count this or Baron that, he would have got what he asked for.  Now he comes from the King of kings and from the Lord of lords, and I let him go away empty-handed.  I even gave him a repelling word” (pgs. 24-25).  God was working on Francis’ heart from a young age and provides a further model for us as Youth Apostles that young people are capable of deep compassion and loving generosity.

Although he loved the poor, he had a natural fear of leprosy.  Reflecting on how St. Francis' love for neighbor inspires Youth Apostles, Fr. Jack Peterson, YA shares the following:

… let us ponder St. Francis’ love of neighbor. One critical dimension to Francis’ conversion was a surprising attraction that developed for lepers. As a young man, Francis had (quite naturally) a rather strong aversion to lepers. However, as God began to grab hold of Francis’ heart, he soon developed an affinity for spending time with and serving lepers … Consequently, as Francis began to turn from a life focused on the pursuit of fun and games, he developed a heart for service. He began to deeply care for those around him and those in need, especially the poor and the outcast. Francis’ passion went from being focused on self to being focused on his neighbor in need.  Francis’ heart for service gets translated in [Youth Apostles] to our work with young people (Peterson, 2009).

Fr. Jack draws an accurate parallel between the lepers of the Middle Ages and the young people we serve today. Youth Apostles have received a call from God to love and serve young people, who are indeed among the least brothers and sisters, just as the lepers were in Francis’ time.  

Furthermore, St. Francis’ love for his brothers has been a parallel inspiration for our community. Youth Apostles bring together many brothers of different ages and life circumstances. Francis brought together men who were as different as could be. “In time, even the other brothers became frustrated that Francis accepted just about anyone to join the group without training and preparation. Members of the clergy and the nobility were welcomed along with thieves and the unlearned” (Bohrer & Stoutzenberger, 2014, p. 140).  

One particular story that has always inspired me is the story of Francis instructing Brother Rufino to preach in a nearby town even though Rufino was not the most gifted preacher. Brother Rufino initially asked to be excused from the command which resulted in Francis ordering him in this way: “Because you did not obey me at once, I also command you under holy obedience to go to Assisi naked, wearing only your breeches – and to go into some church and preach to the people naked like that” (Ugolino, c. 1390/1958, p. 115)!  The humble Brother Rufino went and did as he was ordered. Upon reflection, Francis realized the harshness of his instruction and, instead of calling for Brother Rufino to come back, Francis took off his clothes in solidarity with the brother whom he loved. He joined his brother in the Church where he was preaching and, after many jeers from the people, Francis preached with such vigor in having contempt for the world and mourning over the stripping and crucifixion of Christ that all the town together wept and mourned over the Passion of Jesus and their own sins. Francis and Rufino went home clothed and rejoicing in what God had accomplished through obedience, community, and humility. Youth Apostles are willing to walk into the most difficult ministries with one another. They desire to be obedient to the appointed and elected superiors. They want to glorify God in humble perfection. 

Simplicity

As St. Francis of Assisi was discerning what rule his new community of brothers would follow, he opened the Sacred Word and to three random passages – sometimes called a “Bible roulette.”  The three passages were the following:

• If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. – Mt 19:21

• And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.” – Lk 9:3

• Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” – Mt: 16:24

The common theme received was to embrace a simplicity that allowed Francis and his brothers (“Friars Minor” meaning “little brothers”) to continuously pursue utter dependence on God for everything.  Although Youth Apostles do not practice the severity of poverty that Francis demonstrated, we take promises of poverty in addition to the other Evangelical Counsels of chastity and obedience.  Our poverty is expressed with a child-like dependence on God, avoiding inordinate attachments, and to opt for simpler taste in style, recreation, dress, belongings, and all facets of life.  Regarding our universal call to be child-like, we as Youth Apostles can come to admire children precisely because of their simplicity. 

Inspiration to the Other Patrons

Historically, St. Francis influenced future saints like Ignatius of Loyola and John Bosco, whose lives and missions were shaped by his example.  St. Francis, from a strictly chronological perspective, was a predecessor of our other two patrons having lived a few hundreds of years earlier. Ignatius’ conversion was in part due to the love of Francis when he read about him during his bedridden days after his leg was shattered. John Bosco loved Francis so much that he became a Third Order Franciscan. Since St. Francis had such a legendary status among the saints, it is likely that Ignatius and John Bosco were at least in part influenced by the life of St. Francis.

Francis’ affection for lepers and Youth Apostles’ affection for young people intersect in how we are inspired by both of our other Patron Saints.  

Regarding the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius which inspires our YA spirituality, love is incomplete according to him, unless it is experienced in our affections.  This is evidenced by how he tells the retreatants of his spiritual exercises to feel horror for their sins during reflections on Hell and sinfulness, to feel gratitude at being called on mission by the Most High King, to feel sorrow with Christ in sorrow during His agony, and to feel joy with Christ in joy at His resurrection.  Recently, Pope Francis in his fourth encyclical stated the following:

“... the theology underlying the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola is based on “affection” ( affectus). The structure of the Exercises assumes a firm and heartfelt desire to “rearrange” one’s life, a desire that in turn provides the strength and the wherewithal to achieve that goal. The rules and the compositions of place that Ignatius furnishes are in the service of something much more important, namely, the mystery of the human heart.” (Francis, 2024, #24)

  St. Francis of Assisi, who inspired St. Ignatius, exemplifies this “deep feeling” for others, but it is beyond bodily emotion – it is a spiritual affection, delighting in our souls and experiencing gratitude in our hearts for the gift of another person.  The warmth of a Youth Apostle draws its affection from a tender heart.

Francis’ love for lepers is also echoed in St. John Bosco’s love for the rejected children of Turin, Italy.  John Bosco not only saw the material poverty of these young people as St. Francis would undoubtedly have had a heart to serve them for this reason alone, but also because these young people were spiritually malnourished and lacking loving adults in their lives.  In John Bosco’s tender presence to these young people, and in having a devotion to Francis, how often did he reflect on examples from the life of the great Saint who went before him?  When John Bosco played games and performed acrobats for the children, did he take inspiration from the joie de vivre (enjoyment of life) of Francis singing French songs in the Italian countryside.

When St. Ignatius of Loyola was healing from his battle wound, he read about the lives of the Saints, including St. Francis of Assisi.  Youth Apostles often reflect on St. Ignatius’ three manners of humility in which we (1) come to avoid all mortal sins, (2) advance to not committing any venial sins and having a holy indifference to poverty vs. riches, illness vs. health, etc., and (3) arriving at a unitive imitation of Christ in preferring poverty to riches, illness to health if it brings greater glory to God.  I believe this 3rd manner of humility was undoubtedly inspired by the life of St. Francis.  In particular, there is a famous account of Francis in dialogue with Brother Leo during which he describes perfect joy.  Far from stating that perfect joy is in the success of the community in converting many to the faith, or great people joining the Franciscans, or being well-regarded by all in the Church, Francis describes perfect joy as  the following:

I am returning from Perugia and I am coming here at night in the dark. It is winter time and wet and muddy and so cold that icicles form at the edges of my habit and keep striking my legs, and blood flows from such wounds. And I come to the gate, all covered with mud and cold and ice, and after I have knocked and called for a long time, a friar comes and asks: “Who are you?” I answer: “Brother Francis.”  And he says: “Go away. This is not a decent time to be going about. You can’t come in.’ … I tell you that if I kept patience and was not upset – that is true joy and true virtue and the salvation of my soul (Ugolino, 1390/1958, pgs. 319-320).

St. Francis provides a challenging reflection for all of us on where our joy resides and how to live out St. Ignatius’ 3rd manner of humility.  Is our joy in the esteem of those around us and success with our efforts (even good works), or is it in union with Christ (even in His Passion)?

More can be said as to how Francis’ reliance on the intercession of Mary would have shaped John Bosco’s devotion to Mary, Help of Christians, or how Francis’ missionary spirit would have inspired Ignatius to preach.  As Youth Apostles, we look to his example by drawing inspiration from his love for Christ, Mary, and his tireless commitment to spreading the Gospel.

References

Jörgensen, J. (1912). Saint Francis of Assisi.
Peterson, J. (2009). Director’s Corner.  Youth Apostles.
Bohrer, J. & Stoutzenberger, J. (2014). Looking to St. Francis.
Francis (2024). Dilexit Nos.
Ugolino (c. 1390/1958). Flowers for Francis (Fioretti). Translated by Raphael Brown.