Welcome Everyone With Kindness And Holy Affection

St. Francis made three murderous robbers welcome with kindness and holy affection, and he consoled them by telling them many inspiring stories, and gave them back assurance that they would win God's mercy. Moreover he promised them that he would obtain mercy and grace for them from the Lord Jesus. He also taught them how the infinite greatness of divine mercy surpasses all our sins, even if they are boundless, and how, according to the Gospels and St. Paul the Apostle, Christ came into this world in order to redeem sinners.

As a result of these wholesome instructions, the three robbers renounced the world and the devil and his works, and St. Francis received them into the Order, and they remained faithful to him in mind and deed. And they began to do great penance.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Little Flowers of St. Francis - 26

We Are To Act Rather Than Teach

St. Francis said, 'The friars under obedience are much edified when their Ministers and preachers gladly devote their time to prayer, and apply themselves to humble and undistinguished tasks. Unless they do this they cannot admonish other friars without embarrassment, injustice, and self-condemnation; for if we follow Christ's example, we must act rather than teach, and our acting and teaching must go together.'

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 73

Virtue And Vice

Where the is Love and Wisdom,
there is neither Fear nor Ignorance.
Where there is Patience and Humility,
there is neither Anger nor Annoyance.
Where there is Poverty and Joy,
there is neither Cupidity nor Avarice.
Where there is Peace and Contemplation,
there is neither Care nor Restlessness.
Where there is Fear of God to guard the dwelling,
there no enemy can enter.
Where there is Mercy and Prudence,
there is neither Excess nor Harshness.

Saint Francis of Assisi
THE ADMONITIONS
Admonition XXVII