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HUMILITY IS EVERYTHING

FRANCISCAN VIRTUES
HUMILITY

By Brother Patrick

In the Letter to the Faithful (1221), Saint Francis writes: “Do not be wise and prudent according to the world. Instead, be simple, humble, and pure. Never desire to be above others. Be servants and subjects to every creature under heaven for God’s own sake. The Holy Spirit will rest upon you when you do and persevere in these things. And the Holy Spirit will dwell within you. We will be children of God when we do his work. We will become spouses, siblings, and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are his spouses when our souls are united by the Holy Spirit to our Lord. We are his siblings when we do the will of our Father in heaven. We are his mothers when we carry him in our hearts and bodies with love and a pure and sincere conscience. And we give birth to him in the world through good works that shine before others.”

According to Saint Francis, each of us is called and each of us is capable of being the Lord’s spouse, sibling, parent, and true friend in a troubled world. Some of us are young. Some are old. Some of us have means. Some struggle to make ends meet. Some of us are called to speak up. Some are called to pray in silence. Some of us are celebrated for our good works. Some are unsung and soon forgotten. All of us are called to holiness. All of us are called to do some small thing to make the world a better place.

We live in an age of depraved politics, barbaric violence, boundless corruption, and a climate crisis that leaves the world on fire. Ann Scholz, a Sister of Notre Dame and human rights advocate for more than five decades says bluntly: “The gospel compels us to act.” But what can we do? Where do we begin? How do we begin? Jesus leads the way. He says: “I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you cared for me. I was imprisoned and you visited me (Matthew 25:35-36).”

Still, so much suffering. Still, so many questions. What is my good to do? What is your good to do? What is our good to do together? Will we respect life? Will we respect human dignity? Will we respect each other? Will we give to the poor? Will we care for the sick? Will we welcome the stranger? Will we stand against bigotry and hatred? Will we stand against dishonesty and corruption? Will we love God? Will we love our neighbor? Will we be instruments of peace? Will we care for our common home?

Most importantly, will we accept that we are all small, that we are all poor, that we are all just dust? Will we accept that all we have, all that we are now, and all that we might become is God’s gift? The answers are rooted in faith, hope, and love. The answers are rooted in service and servanthood. The answers are rooted in littleness. The answers are rooted in humility.

Saint Augustine (354-430) says: “Do you plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? [If so], lay the first foundation in humility.” Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) says: “True humility consists in being ready for what the Lord wants you to do and in being happy to do it.” To be a disciple is to be poor. To be a disciple is to be small. To be a disciple is to be giving. To be a disciple is to be humble. Pope Francis (1936-2025) says: “Brothers and sisters, humility is everything. It is what saves us from the Evil One. It is what saves us from becoming his accomplices. It is the source of peace in our world. Where there is no humility, there is war; there is discord; there is division…Humility is the way. It is the path to salvation (5-22-24).”

We end at the beginning. We turn again to Saint Francis for advice. From across the ages, he beckons us: “Do not be wise and prudent according to the world. Instead, be simple, humble, and pure. Never desire to be above others. Be servants and subjects to every creature under heaven for God’s own sake. The Holy Spirit will rest upon you when you do and persevere in these things. And the Holy Spirit will dwell within you. We will be children of God when we do his work. We will become spouses, siblings, and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are his spouses when our souls are united by the Holy Spirit to our Lord. We are his siblings when we do the will of our Father in heaven. We are his mothers when we carry him in our hearts and bodies with love and a pure and sincere conscience. And we give birth to him in the world through good works that shine before others.”

Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Pope Francis, pray for us!

Art by Wirestock Creators – Shutterstock – 2300976455

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THE ASSISI PROJECT
A FELLOWSHIP OF FRANCISCANS IN SPIRIT
INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY

Members of the Assisi Project, ranging in age from 18 to 102, pray each and every day for all who ask for our prayers. If you would like our fellowship to pray for you or your special intention, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. In communion with Pope Leo XIV and in solidarity with people of faith and goodwill everywhere, we also pray for peace, truth, and justice. In addition, we pray for all migrants and refugees; for the courage to speak truth to power; and for the poor, the persecuted, and the unjustly imprisoned. Please join us in prayer by clicking the link below! Thank you for your prayers! May God bless you! May the Risen Lord give you peace!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brother Patrick Garvey is co-founder and spiritual director of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary, and the Catholic University of America. He is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as an Associate Minister in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts. On October 3, 2023, the Feast of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother Patrick was consecrated as a diocesan hermit by Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston. For more information about the Assisi Project and our ministries with adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com.

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ABOUT US

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. We are also dedicated to promoting a devotion to Pope Francis (1936-2025) as a patron of peace, mercy, and fraternity in our sick and suffering world.

The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. Please support our ministry via Pay Pal (see link below) or mail a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. May the Lord give you peace!

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