Peace and All Good Be with You!

Dear readers, the moment you open the first page of Voice of Poverello is, for us, a moment of prayer. Poverello is an Italian word meaning "the little poor one." It was the affectionate name the people of Assisi gave to Saint Francis. Born the son of a wealthy man, he left everything for Christ and took Lady Poverty as his bride — and eight centuries later, his voice has still not fallen silent.

On the evening of 3 October 1226, lying on the bare ground beside the little chapel of the Portiuncula, Francis welcomed "Sister Death" with a song. As the whole Church marks the 800th anniversary of that death in this season of grace, we give thanks for the opportunity God has given us to let this voice be heard anew.

The theme of this first issue is "Once Again on the Path of Francis." We will take you along the stone streets of Assisi, before the crucifix of San Damiano, into the cave-crib of Greccio, into the silence of Mount La Verna, and finally to the holy ground of the Portiuncula. Yet this is no historical tour; it is an inward journey into our own hearts.

Our world today is wounded by war, division, environmental destruction and loneliness. In such a time we badly need the vision of Francis, who called every creature "brother" and "sister." The man who named the sun his brother, the moon his sister and the earth his mother built bridges between people, not walls.

Your responses will help this magazine grow. As Francis said, "Brothers, let us begin, for up to now we have done little or nothing."

In peace and all good, The Editorial Team

Why This Magazine?

• To share Franciscan spirituality simply and warmly
• To celebrate the 800th anniversary in prayer
• To foster peace, simplicity and care for creation

The Sign of the Tau

A T-shaped cross Francis used as his signature — a sign of conversion and redemption (Ezek 9:4).