This lesson unit will focus on the Franciscan family that Francis and Clare founded at the beginning of the thirteenth century. An intimate and deep friendship bound them to each other. Both worked toward the same goal, the reign of God. They held their greatest desire in common: to live the Gospel radically and to impart it to others as life-giving power. Their way of life attracted others. Men and women of all social classes wanted to join them in living the Gospel as they did. Within barely ten years, three powerful branches grew from a small seed: the fraternity of the Friars Minor in 1210, the community of the Sisters Minor in 1212 and, almost simultaneously, a lay community which developed into the Order of Penance.
Neither Francis nor Clare alone, but Francis and Clare together, founded a movement to create enthusiasm among women and men and call them to discipleship, a movement that still exists today. The special nature of their charism lies in the mutual dependence upon each other as brothers and sisters in the one Franciscan family. The Franciscan family can experience its fullness only when all the siblings, men and women, are together. Accordingly, their unity in the midst of a multiplicity of vocations and their loving care for each other should be self-evident. It is only logical that the various Franciscan orders and communities should co-operate with one another.
CCFMC, Lesson Unit 3 A
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