Franciscan rule bears resemblance to Benedictine rule in a lot of ways. They both require those under their rule to reject worldly possessions and physical comforts. Benedictine brothers held all ther property in common, no brother was to own anything. Even the appearance of ownership was strictly regulated under Benedictine rule. From The Rule of St. Francis of Assisi, it seems like those regulations were relaxed a bit. Brothers were given their own clothing and were responsible for their repair.
The general tone of The Rule of St. Francis of Assisi was one of humility. Francis writes that “I warn and exhort them (the brothers) lest they despise or judge men whom they shall see clad in soft garments and in colors, using delicate food and drink; but each one shall the rather judge and despise himself.” Francis wanted to return a spirit of humility to a monastic life that had been corrupted by money and prestige. Francis takes several opportunities to point out that money was to be collected and distributed to the poor and sick instead of used to enrich the monastery.
The Canticle to Brother Sun further illuminates Franciscan thought. At a time when Catharism and related heresies were prevalent, The Canticle to Brother Sun reaffirms the goodness of the material world by addressing specific elements and properties of the material world to fellow brothers and sisters, created by and offering worship to God. Whereas Catharism holds the material world to be a sinful creation of a deity in competition with God, The Canticle to Brother Sun celebrates the material world as the conduit through which God's blessing and provision comes to mankind.
-Tim O'Donnell
The general tone of The Rule of St. Francis of Assisi was one of humility. Francis writes that “I warn and exhort them (the brothers) lest they despise or judge men whom they shall see clad in soft garments and in colors, using delicate food and drink; but each one shall the rather judge and despise himself.” Francis wanted to return a spirit of humility to a monastic life that had been corrupted by money and prestige. Francis takes several opportunities to point out that money was to be collected and distributed to the poor and sick instead of used to enrich the monastery.
The Canticle to Brother Sun further illuminates Franciscan thought. At a time when Catharism and related heresies were prevalent, The Canticle to Brother Sun reaffirms the goodness of the material world by addressing specific elements and properties of the material world to fellow brothers and sisters, created by and offering worship to God. Whereas Catharism holds the material world to be a sinful creation of a deity in competition with God, The Canticle to Brother Sun celebrates the material world as the conduit through which God's blessing and provision comes to mankind.
-Tim O'Donnell