Issue 1 · 25 October 2025
Once Again on the Path of Francis
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Issue 1 • October 25, 2025 • English Edition
Cover Story
Once Again
on the Path
of Francis
a journey renewed…
— PAGE 4 —
A holy year in the history of the Church
800
th
1226 – 2026
800th Anniversary of the Death
of St Francis of Assisi
Commemorative Issue
The Father Who Comes
Franciscan spirituality for today
The Life Journey of
Francis
A blessed life, a message for all
Greccio: The First Crib
A lesson in simplicity
Franciscanism & the
Church
The Popes and St Thomas
10
13
17
20
Cover Story
Once Again
on the Path
of Francis
a journey renewed…
— PAGE 4 —
A holy year in the history of the Church
800
th
1226 – 2026
800th Anniversary of the Death
of St Francis of Assisi
Commemorative Issue
The Father Who Comes
Franciscan spirituality for today
The Life Journey of
Francis
A blessed life, a message for all
Greccio: The First Crib
A lesson in simplicity
Franciscanism & the
Church
The Popes and St Thomas
10
13
17
20
D
From the Editor
Peace and All Good Be with You!
"Pax et Bonum" — the greeting Francis loved to give
ear 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
The dove of peace
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 redemp-
tion (Ezek 9:4).
VOICE OF POVERELLO
Issue 1 • October 25, 2025
Editorial
Faith • Peace • Fraternity
2
800th Anniversary • 1226 – 2026
From the Editor
Peace and All Good Be with You!
"Pax et Bonum" — the greeting Francis loved to give
ear 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
The dove of peace
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 redemp-
tion (Ezek 9:4).
VOICE OF POVERELLO
Issue 1 • October 25, 2025
Editorial
Faith • Peace • Fraternity
2
800th Anniversary • 1226 – 2026
In This Issue…
The journey that awaits you inside
04
Cover Story
Once Again on the Path of Francis
08
Special Feature
The 800th Anniversary: 1226 – 2026
10
The Father Who Comes
Franciscan spirituality's message for today
13
The Life Journey of
Francis
A blessed life, a message for the world
17
Greccio: The First
Nativity Crib
A spiritual lesson in simplicity
20
Franciscanism and the
Church
The Popes and the Church of St Thomas
23
Fraternity with All
Creation
The Franciscan message for our
environment
26
Spiritual Words for Life
Prayer • Meditation • Daily Guidance
A hillside chapel near Assisi — a home of
simplicity
Also Inside
29 — Franciscan Saints:
Clare & Anthony
✦
30 — Children's Corner:
Quiz
✦
31 — The Transitus
Service & Next Issue
✦
"Where there is love
and wisdom, there is
neither fear nor
ignorance."
— St Francis of Assisi,
Admonition 27
VOICE OF POVERELLO
Issue 1 • October 25, 2025
In This Issue
Faith • Peace • Fraternity
3
800th Anniversary • 1226 – 2026
The journey that awaits you inside
04
Cover Story
Once Again on the Path of Francis
08
Special Feature
The 800th Anniversary: 1226 – 2026
10
The Father Who Comes
Franciscan spirituality's message for today
13
The Life Journey of
Francis
A blessed life, a message for the world
17
Greccio: The First
Nativity Crib
A spiritual lesson in simplicity
20
Franciscanism and the
Church
The Popes and the Church of St Thomas
23
Fraternity with All
Creation
The Franciscan message for our
environment
26
Spiritual Words for Life
Prayer • Meditation • Daily Guidance
A hillside chapel near Assisi — a home of
simplicity
Also Inside
29 — Franciscan Saints:
Clare & Anthony
✦
30 — Children's Corner:
Quiz
✦
31 — The Transitus
Service & Next Issue
✦
"Where there is love
and wisdom, there is
neither fear nor
ignorance."
— St Francis of Assisi,
Admonition 27
VOICE OF POVERELLO
Issue 1 • October 25, 2025
In This Issue
Faith • Peace • Fraternity
3
800th Anniversary • 1226 – 2026
"Francis, go and repair my house, which is falling into ruin."
— The voice from the San Damiano Cross
E
Cover Story
Once Again on the
Path of Francis…
Come, let us journey with the Church in the light of the Gospel…
Feature • The Editorial Team
ight hundred years ago, in the hills of
Umbria in Italy, a young man took off his
father's costly clothes and laid them at the feet of
the Bishop of Assisi. "Until now I have called
Pietro di Bernardone my father," he said. "From
now on I will say only, 'Our Father, who art in
heaven.'" The townspeople were astonished; some
laughed. But in that moment a new chapter in the
history of the Church began.
That young man was Francis. Today, on the 800th
anniversary of his death, we invite you to set out
once more on the path he walked — a journey
made not with the feet but with the heart. Every
place is a lesson, and every lesson is an invitation
for our own lives.
VOICE OF POVERELLO
Faith • Peace • Fraternity
4
800th Anniversary • 1226 – 2026
— The voice from the San Damiano Cross
E
Cover Story
Once Again on the
Path of Francis…
Come, let us journey with the Church in the light of the Gospel…
Feature • The Editorial Team
ight hundred years ago, in the hills of
Umbria in Italy, a young man took off his
father's costly clothes and laid them at the feet of
the Bishop of Assisi. "Until now I have called
Pietro di Bernardone my father," he said. "From
now on I will say only, 'Our Father, who art in
heaven.'" The townspeople were astonished; some
laughed. But in that moment a new chapter in the
history of the Church began.
That young man was Francis. Today, on the 800th
anniversary of his death, we invite you to set out
once more on the path he walked — a journey
made not with the feet but with the heart. Every
place is a lesson, and every lesson is an invitation
for our own lives.
VOICE OF POVERELLO
Faith • Peace • Fraternity
4
800th Anniversary • 1226 – 2026
First Stop: Assisi — City of Dreams
Francis was born in Assisi in 1181 or 1182.
His father, Pietro di Bernardone, was a pros-
perous cloth merchant; his mother, Pica, was
gentle and devout. At baptism he was named
Giovanni, but his father, who loved France,
began calling him "Francesco" — "the little
Frenchman." The name stuck.
As a young man Francis was the life of every
party: songs, music, friends and fine clothes
were his world. He dreamed of glory and
longed to become a knight. In 1202 he fought
in the battle of Collestrada against neighbour-
ing Perugia, was captured, and spent about a
year as a prisoner.
"Lord, what do you want me to do?"
— the prayer of the young Francis
When he rose from a long illness, he was no
longer the same. The pleasures of the world
tasted of nothing. Setting out once more for
war, he heard a voice in a dream at Spoleto:
"Is it better to serve the master or the ser-
vant?" He turned back to Assisi — not as a
knight, but as a seeker.
San Damiano — in this ruined chapel the crucifix spoke
◆ Second Stop: San Damiano
Below Assisi, among the olive trees, stood a
small, crumbling church — San Damiano. As
Francis knelt in prayer before its Byzantine-
style crucifix, he heard a voice: "Francis, go
and repair my house, which, as you see, is
falling into ruin."
At first he took the words literally. He carried
stones and rebuilt the walls. In time he under-
stood that God was asking not only for a
building of stone but for a Church of living
stones — one that must return to the simplic-
ity of the Gospel.
◆ Third Stop: Embracing the Leper
One day, riding his horse, Francis met a leper
on the road. His first instinct was to turn
away in disgust, but in a moment his heart
changed. He dismounted, gave the man a
coin and kissed his hand. Years later he wrote
in his Testament: "When I was in sin, it
seemed very bitter to me to see lepers. And
the Lord himself led me among them, and I
showed mercy to them. And when I left
them, what had seemed bitter to me was
turned into sweetness of soul and body."
For Us Today
What is "falling into ruin" in our families and
parishes? The call to repair still echoes.
VOICE OF POVERELLO
Issue 1 • October 25, 2025
Cover Story
Faith • Peace • Fraternity
5
800th Anniversary • 1226 – 2026
Francis was born in Assisi in 1181 or 1182.
His father, Pietro di Bernardone, was a pros-
perous cloth merchant; his mother, Pica, was
gentle and devout. At baptism he was named
Giovanni, but his father, who loved France,
began calling him "Francesco" — "the little
Frenchman." The name stuck.
As a young man Francis was the life of every
party: songs, music, friends and fine clothes
were his world. He dreamed of glory and
longed to become a knight. In 1202 he fought
in the battle of Collestrada against neighbour-
ing Perugia, was captured, and spent about a
year as a prisoner.
"Lord, what do you want me to do?"
— the prayer of the young Francis
When he rose from a long illness, he was no
longer the same. The pleasures of the world
tasted of nothing. Setting out once more for
war, he heard a voice in a dream at Spoleto:
"Is it better to serve the master or the ser-
vant?" He turned back to Assisi — not as a
knight, but as a seeker.
San Damiano — in this ruined chapel the crucifix spoke
◆ Second Stop: San Damiano
Below Assisi, among the olive trees, stood a
small, crumbling church — San Damiano. As
Francis knelt in prayer before its Byzantine-
style crucifix, he heard a voice: "Francis, go
and repair my house, which, as you see, is
falling into ruin."
At first he took the words literally. He carried
stones and rebuilt the walls. In time he under-
stood that God was asking not only for a
building of stone but for a Church of living
stones — one that must return to the simplic-
ity of the Gospel.
◆ Third Stop: Embracing the Leper
One day, riding his horse, Francis met a leper
on the road. His first instinct was to turn
away in disgust, but in a moment his heart
changed. He dismounted, gave the man a
coin and kissed his hand. Years later he wrote
in his Testament: "When I was in sin, it
seemed very bitter to me to see lepers. And
the Lord himself led me among them, and I
showed mercy to them. And when I left
them, what had seemed bitter to me was
turned into sweetness of soul and body."
For Us Today
What is "falling into ruin" in our families and
parishes? The call to repair still echoes.
VOICE OF POVERELLO
Issue 1 • October 25, 2025
Cover Story
Faith • Peace • Fraternity
5
800th Anniversary • 1226 – 2026
Faith • Peace • Franciscan Love
“All creatures are our
brothers and sisters.”
— St Francis of Assisi
In This Issue…
The Father Who
Comes
Franciscan spirituality's message for
today
10
The Life Journey of
Francis
A blessed life, a message for the world
13
Greccio: The First
Nativity Crib
A spiritual lesson in simplicity
17
Franciscanism and the
Church
The Popes and the Church of St
Thomas
20
Fraternity with All
Creation
The Franciscan message for our
environment
23
Spiritual Words for
Life
Prayer • Meditation • Daily
Guidance
26
Also: 800th Anniversary Feature (8) • Canticle of the Creatures
(24) • Franciscan Saints (29) • Children's Corner (30)
“Where there is love and wisdom,
there is neither fear nor ignorance.”
— St Francis of Assisi, Admonition 27
Faith • Peace • Franciscan Love
Issue 1
October 25, 2025
English Edition
“All creatures are our
brothers and sisters.”
— St Francis of Assisi
In This Issue…
The Father Who
Comes
Franciscan spirituality's message for
today
10
The Life Journey of
Francis
A blessed life, a message for the world
13
Greccio: The First
Nativity Crib
A spiritual lesson in simplicity
17
Franciscanism and the
Church
The Popes and the Church of St
Thomas
20
Fraternity with All
Creation
The Franciscan message for our
environment
23
Spiritual Words for
Life
Prayer • Meditation • Daily
Guidance
26
Also: 800th Anniversary Feature (8) • Canticle of the Creatures
(24) • Franciscan Saints (29) • Children's Corner (30)
“Where there is love and wisdom,
there is neither fear nor ignorance.”
— St Francis of Assisi, Admonition 27
Faith • Peace • Franciscan Love
Issue 1
October 25, 2025
English Edition