"Grant me the treasure of sublime poverty: permit the distinctive sign of our order to be that it does not possess anything of its own beneath the sun, for the glory of your name, and that it have no other patrimony than begging"
- Francis of Assisi
About this Quote
This quote by Francis of Assisi speaks with the concept of poverty as a spiritual treasure. He is requesting for consent to have the members of his order reside in poverty, without any ownerships of their own. He is asking for this authorization in order to glorify God's name. He is recommending that the distinguishing feature of his order need to be that they have no material possessions which their only patrimony ought to be begging.
This quote speaks with the idea of hardship as a spiritual practice. Francis of Assisi was a strong advocate of poverty and believed that it was a way to draw closer to God. He believed that by residing in hardship, one could be devoid of the distractions of material ownerships and have the ability to focus on spiritual matters. He likewise believed that by living in poverty, one might be an example of humility and charity to others.
This quote also speaks with the idea of hardship as a kind of service. By living in hardship, Francis of Assisi believed that his order might be of service to others. By begging, they could offer those in requirement and be an example of charity and empathy.
Overall, this quote by Francis of Assisi speaks to the idea of hardship as a spiritual treasure and a form of service. He thought that by residing in poverty, his order might glorify God's name and be of service to others.
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