Franciscanism and the Church

Francis was a revolutionary — but not a revolutionary against the Church. He was a revolutionary born from within the Church, from her very heart. In his day many movements that preached poverty broke away from the Church. Francis was different: his way was to live the Gospel "in obedience to the holy Roman Church" and her bishops and priests.

In this article we look at the eight-hundred-year relationship between the popes and the Franciscan movement, and at how Franciscan spirituality has blossomed in our Indian Church, rooted in the tradition of St Thomas the Apostle.

"At the feet of holy Church, obedient, living the holy Gospel."

— the spirit of the Rule of St Francis

The Popes and Francis

The Freedom of Obedience

Francis did not ignore the failings of the Church. He saw how wealth and power had clouded her face. But he renewed her not through criticism, but through the witness of his life. In his Testament he wrote that he would honour priests even if they were sinners, because through their hands we receive the Body and Blood of Christ.

1209/10 — Innocent III

Tradition says he dreamed of the Lateran Basilica tottering, held up on the shoulders of a poor little man. He gave oral approval to Francis's way of life.

1223 — Honorius III

Approved the Order's final Rule with a papal bull. Cardinal Ugolino became the Order's protector.

1228 — Gregory IX

Formerly Cardinal Ugolino, a friend of Francis; he canonised him less than two years after his death.

1979 / 1986 — St John Paul II

Named Francis patron of ecology and called the world's religions to the Day of Prayer for Peace at Assisi.

2013 – 2025 — Pope Francis

The first pope to take the name of the saint of Assisi, sharing his spirit with the world through Laudato Si' and Fratelli Tutti.

The Franciscan Family Today

• First Order: Friars Minor (OFM), Conventuals (OFM Conv), Capuchins (OFM Cap)
• Second Order: the Poor Clares (OSC)
• Third Order: Third Order Regular (TOR) and many congregations of Franciscan sisters
• Secular Franciscans: lay people following Francis in family life (OFS)

The Tradition of St Thomas and Franciscan Spirituality

The Church in India traces her roots to St Thomas the Apostle. Our tradition holds that the San Thome Basilica in Mylapore, Chennai, rises over his tomb, and that St Thomas Mount marks the place of his martyrdom. The faith of the apostle who touched the wounds of the risen Christ and cried, "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28), is the faith of our land.

A beautiful link appears here. Thomas believed by touching the wounds of Christ; Francis bore those same wounds in his own body. For both, faith was not a theory but the experience of touching the wounded Christ. Today we are called to touch that same Christ in the wounded of our society — the poor, the sick, migrants and the excluded.

Franciscans on Indian Soil

Franciscan friars and sisters have served in India for centuries. Today, in many states including Tamil Nadu, various Franciscan congregations serve people through schools, hospitals, homes for the elderly, homes for children in need and rural mission centres. In many parishes, Secular Franciscan fraternities are active in prayer and social service.

There is a natural closeness between India's spiritual traditions and Franciscan spirituality. Renunciation, simplicity, non-violence, harmony with nature, the wandering ascetic and devotion that sings God's praises are nothing new to our soil. That is why the voice of the "little poor one" finds such an easy echo in Indian hearts.

"My Lord and my God!"

— St Thomas the Apostle (John 20:28)

An Invitation to Parishes

• Find out whether your parish has a Secular Franciscan fraternity — and join it.
• Visit a nearby Franciscan house, hospital or home for the elderly with your family, and serve.
• 3 July is the feast of St Thomas; 4 October the feast of St Francis. Celebrate both as parish days of "faith and service."