For over 750 years these have been kept here at the church of St. Francis (XIII cent.), at Cortona (near Florence).
This is the second largest church in the world dedicated to St. Francis, after his Basilica in Assisi (both were designed and constructed by Friar Elias, follower and companion of St. Francis, his Vicar and subsequently Minister General of the Order). With its gothic nave and trussed roof, this style became the model for Franciscan churches. Friar Elias himself carried these relics here from Assisi.
I seriously think that St. Francis himself, Saint Clare, and Br. Elias would be weeping in heaven if they could see what has happened to the Franciscan Order today.
ReplyDeleteBy and large, the Friars Minor have become so liberal and corrupted by dissent and hatred for Catholic tradition that they have declined from nealy 29,000 friars right before the disaster of Vatican II, to barely 14,000 today....and less than 10,000 priests!!!
The Order, as you well know from your wonderful documentary of religious Orders in Rome and other parts of Italy, has been wiped out for the most part in France, Germany, Austria, Ireland, G.Britian ald elswwhere.
With less than 10,000 priests, and a loss of 300+ every year, it will not be long before the Franciscans are gone from nearly everywhere.
With regards to Poor Clares, 2 liberal Poor Clare convents in the USA closed this Summer . oNE WAS FAMOUS FOR RAISING MINIATURE HORSES. But not will known for keeping Catholic tradtion, or prayer.
This is really awesome. I found your post very interesting
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous. Which "Franciscan Order" are you referring to?? Is it the Capuchins? Conventuals? Friars of the Leonine Union (otherwise known as OFMs)? And these are just the 3 branches of the First Order!! Rather than complain pray for the hundreds of thousands of Franciscans (First, Second, Third Orders and Secular Franciscans) around the world that they may understand in their hearts that the hermeneutic of continuity is part and parcel of the Franciscan charism. Pax et Bonum!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous @ 6:36 AM: what about the Franciscans of the Immaculate? They certainly are not dying, they're flourishing, both men and women! And the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word in Alabama, founded by Mother Angelica? They are thriving too-ditto the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration. How about the Franciscans of the Renewal? Not all Francsican Orders are shrinking!
ReplyDeleteDitto to what Fr. Benedict said!
Barb in NY
go francisicans
ReplyDelete