JUBILEE YEAR OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

 

Friar Geoffrey EGWUATU, OFM Cap.

As the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, we are invited to contemplate the central mystery of our Christian faith: one God in three Persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, distinct yet perfectly united in love, essence, and communion. Though this mystery may seem beyond human understanding, the life of Saint Francis of Assisi offers a simple yet profound way of entering into it.

Deeply rooted in a Christ-centred spirituality lived within a Trinitarian vision, Francis understood all creation as coming from the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit, and returning to the Father along the same path. Though not a formal theologian, his writings, prayer, and way of life reveal a deeply contemplative understanding of the Trinity as a divine “Circle of Love” into which every person is invited. It is within this spirit that we reflect on the theme: “St. Francis and the Holy Trinity: A Call to Communion, Gratitude, and Stewardship.”

Francis saw the Father as the font and source of all goodness and frequently used the term Altissimo (Most High) to refer to the Father. Jesus Christ, for Francis, is the visible face of the invisible God, revealed through the mystery of the incarnation and the passion. He saw Christ as the way through which humanity enters into the life of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit, for him, is the one who performs the inner work of transforming a person into the likeness of Christ. Because everything good flows from the trinity, Francis taught that we are not owners of our lives, but stewards. Therefore, the Self-giving love shared eternally among the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit becomes the model for our own stewardship, calling us to receive God’s gifts with gratitude and share them generously with others.

In his letter to the faithful, Francis presents his vision of how Christians should participate in the Trinitarian life.  He describes the spiritual life of a Christian as a participation in the life of the Trinity: he writes:

“We are Spouses when the faithful soul is united to Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, we are Brothers when we do the will of His Father who is in heaven, we are Mothers when we carry Christ in our hearts and give birth to Him through holy works.”

 In this way, Francis offers us a remarkable practical approach to living the mystery of the Holy Trinity. The Trinity is no longer an abstract doctrine reserved for theological reflection alone; rather, it becomes a lived reality in the life of every Christian. Francis embodied this reality so profoundly that he became a living icon of Trinitarian life.

In 1224, on Mount La Verna, Francis’ relationship with the Trinity reached a profound climax. While praying to experience the love of the crucified Saviour, he received the Stigmata, the wounds of Christ. These wounds may be understood as the “Seal” of his complete union with God. The Father willed the miracle, the Son shared His marks of redemption, and the Holy Spirit provided the fire of love that made the pain a source of joy.

Another practical dimension of participation in Trinitarian life is found in the way Francis teaches us to pray.  In his Regula non Bullata (Rule of 1221), Francis concludes with a prayer of thanksgiving, which is often called Francis’ Trinitarian Prayer. He writes,

“Almighty, Most Holy, Most High and Supreme God, Holy and Just Father, Lord King of heaven and earth, we give You thanks for Yourself, for through Your holy will and through Your only Son with the Holy Spirit You have created all things spiritual and corporal…”

These words reveal the depth of Francis’ relationship with the Trinity. He did not simply love God because of the blessings he received; he loved God for who God is. To celebrate Trinity Sunday in the spirit of Saint Francis is to say: "Lord, I don't just love You for what You give me; I love You for who You are."

As we celebrate this great Solemnity, the example of Saint Francis challenges us to move beyond a purely intellectual understanding of the Holy Trinity towards active participation in Trinitarian life. Francis understood the Trinity as the "Font of Goodness." Everything in existence flows from the Trinity. Our Christian duty is to ensure that everything we have been given flows back to God through our acts of praise, service, and stewardship.

In conclusion, Francis teaches us the highest form of prayer, which is thanking God for who He is and not solely for what we gain from Him. Let us ask Saint Francis to help us live Trinitarian lives in our busy streets, markets, family, and parishes so that we can become faithful stewards of the Father’s gifts, loving spouses of the Spirit, and fruitful mothers of the Son.