Words perfumed, the new book by Rffaele Ruffo

Franciscanism




In addition to his spirituality, fraternal sensitivity and apostolic dimension emerge in the letters of St. Francis

To get to know and deepen the knowledge of Francis of Assisi the best way is to listen directly to his voice, approaching his texts in a complete way. Everyone knows that he composed the stupendous Canticle of the Creatures. On the Internet and in many magazines, prayers and quotations can be found, many of which are improperly attributed to Francis. Errors that multiply virally. Few, however, know of his correspondence. The Saint of Assisi did not disdain to repeatedly use the instrument of writing. Especially in the last part of his life, the sending of numerous letters was the only possibility to compensate for his difficult health situation, which after 1221 became more and more problematic, to the point of preventing him from moving without serious inconveniences. With the letters, ten in all, Francis continued to be not only on the journey among the people and spiritual guide of his fraternity, but also in personal contact with various brothers and sisters to take care of personally. A little known text is the Letter to the faithful that fra Raffaele Ruffo in Scented words, comment and update. In this writing we find all the themes dear to Francis, we can know the passages of the Gospels preferred by him, such as the spiritual joys that made his heart overflow with amazement and praise, what were the cornerstones of his evangelical choice: poverty, humility, charity , mercy, minority.

Until recently it was thought that the letter had been sent by Francis to make it the founding text for a special group (the Tertiaries), while it had the purpose of a Christian exhortation for all: the text was a sermon that instead of being heard he made people read.

The explanation of the reason for the letter is given by Francis at the beginning of the letter: “Since I am the servant of all, I am obliged to serve all and to administer to all the fragrant words of my Lord”. “Scented words” which for Francis are spirit and life. Words to listen to, welcome, taste and practice. Words that make us adoptive children of the Father and, at the same time, spouses, brothers and mothers of Jesus. Holy words that illuminate our steps on earth and that open the doors of heaven to us. Words that God addresses with affection to all the inhabitants of the world. The proclamation of the word to the whole world constituted a great urgency that was not blocked either by illness or by the choice of poverty and simplicity. All the letters express this universal nature of his apostolic attention: he wanted to reach everyone because his was a passion as big as the world and for this reason he decided to “walk” his words by making them travel through the letters.

In Letter to the faithfulthe Poverello of Assisi plays the role of an authentic teacher of spirituality. A letter in which, from beginning to end, his desire to share with the whole world the grace, the beauty and the joy of having met Jesus and of having placed himself in his school, in attentive listening to his wise words and in faithful imitation of his holy examples. A letter to be read, savored and experienced. A book for all those who want to know Franciscan spirituality directly from the voice of the Saint.

Dear friends, the magazine San Francesco and the site sanfrancesco.org have always been the megaphone of the messages of Francis, the voice of the great Franciscan family you belong to.


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Words perfumed, the new book by Rffaele Ruffo