The Franciscan spirit is one of action, of doing. It is by this spirit, infused into the order by Saint Francis, that guides the Franciscans of today and the future.
Click here for some Franciscan prayers Click here for the Angelus & Regina Caeli Prayers
18 April 2024, New Mexico, Steven Zimmerman – Down in El Paso, there are two Franciscan seminaries: Roger Bacon Seminary and St. Anthony’s Seminary.
St Francis and San Elizario are my two favorite saints.
St. Francis of Assisi was born Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone. He was born in 1181, one of seven children born to Peitro di Bernardone. His dad was a rich cloth merchant, and his mom, Pica, was from France. His dad was in France on business when St. Francis was born, and his mom had him baptized as Giovanni Di Bernardone. When his father returned to Assisi, he started calling him Francesco in honor of his commercial success in France.
Francis, as the son of a wealthy father, lived a high-spirited life, which is typical of a wealthy young man. He joined the military and fought as a soldier for Assisi. While going off to war in 1204, Francis had a vision that directed him back to Assisi, where he lost his taste for worldly life. He took a pilgrimage to Rome and, while there, begged with the beggars at St. Peter’s. This experience moved him to live a life of poverty. He returned home, began preaching on the streets, and soon developed a huge following. His Order was endorsed by Pope Innocent III in 1210.
St. Francis, a revered figure in religious history, was an Italian Catholic Friar and Preacher, although he never sought ordination into the Catholic Priesthood. His legacy is marked by the founding of the Franciscan Order, the Order of Poor Clares, a Cloistered Order for women, and the Third Order of Brothers and Sisters of Penance, a Lay Order. These orders, established by St. Francis, continue to shape the religious landscape to this day, a testament to his enduring influence.
In 1219, he went to Egypt to convert the Sultan. Around this time, the Franciscan Order had grown to such an extent that it needed to be organized. He returned to Italy to organize the Order. Once the Pope endorsed his organization, he withdrew more and more from external affairs. In 1223, St. Francis arranged for the first Christmas Manger scene, which is used today. Until then, it was not used during Christmas celebrations.
It was in 1224 that St. Francis received the Stigmata, making him the first person recorded to bear the wounds of Christ’s Passion. He died in 1226, at the age of 45, while preaching Psalm 141;
1 I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you.
Psalm 141
2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.
5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me —that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
6 Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
7 They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”
8 But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge —do not give me over to death.
9 Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me. 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.
On July 16, 1228, just two years after he died, Pope Gregory IX pronounced him a Saint. It is customary for Catholics to hold ceremonies blessing animals on their Feast Day, October 4th to this day. He is also well known for his love of the Eucharist, his extreme sorrow during the Stations of the Cross, his Stigmata, and the creation of the Christmas Creche or Nativity Scene.
St. Francis’s life teaches us many things. He was born into a very wealthy family and walked away from it all to embrace God through poverty. He denounced this world for that of God’s world, emptying himself to be filled with God. He founded the Franciscan Order, the Order of Poor Clares, and the Third Order of Brothers and Sisters of Penance, a Lay Order. All these Orders are in existence today. He was also the first recorded person to receive the Stigmata and for the creation of the Nativity scene, which is still used at Christmas by most Catholics and Christians. He died at the age of 45 while preaching. He was never ordained a priest, but he founded three very vibrant orders to this day, showing his profound union with God. Those fruits are still very vibrant to this day. He is among the most venerated Saints in the Catholic Church more than eight centuries later.
St. Anthony’s Seminary is a beautiful campus, an undiscovered jewel that most don’t know about.
St. Anthony Seminary in El Paso is the house of theological studies for the Franciscan Province of Sts. Peter and Paul of Michoacán, México. Franciscans are preparing to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the arrival of the Franciscan movement in Mexico in 2024.
These photos are from the grounds, chapel, and part of the housing area. Click any photo to see the full image.
I’ve never visited Roger Bacon Seminary. Each time I passed, the doors were locked, and there seemed to be no public access. Since first discovering the Seminary in 2010, I’ve longed to see its inside. The gallery below is the only photos I have of Roger Bacon.
All photos copyright 2020-2024 by Steven E Zimmerman. These photos are not for commercial use.
