Recently, I had the opportunity to go on Pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy. It had been my interest to travel there to get to know more about Saint Francis who gave up privileges as a son of a wealthy merchant to live the Gospel with obedience, poverty , and chastity. St. Francis was the founder of the Franciscan order. He lived an adult life dedicated to imitating Jesus in his service to the marginalized, the oppressed, and the forgotten. The Franciscan habit consists of a simple brown hooded robe, similar to the one worn by Saint Francis himself, and a corded rope cincture, or corded rope belt, worn around the waist.
The rope worn as a belt around the waist symbolizes being girded with Christ and is tied in the three characteristic Franciscan knots that signify the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience taken upon becoming a member of the community. Each knot has five coils to remind us of the five wounds of Christ.
I am currently reading a biography on St. Francis, the Reluctant Saint, written by Donald Spoto (2002). I look forward to posting here again after reading the biography to share what I learned. I made a video regarding my pilgrimage to Assisi. You can access it below. Peace.
Comments