Monthly Spiritual Message, February 2026
By Fr Joe McKay OFM
In his Testament, Francis looks back on his journey and provides a vision for the future of the Order. No longer the formal leader, he does not attempt to legislate; instead, he shares his deepest hopes for the friars’ shared life. Written in 1226—the final year of his life—the text highlights the spiritual pillars of his Rule and way of life.
Francis emphasises that his conversion was sparked by a radical shift in perspective: recognising the face of the Crucified Christ in lepers, whom he had previously feared. In embracing them, he realised that one must enter into suffering, rather than avoid it, to truly encounter God’s mercy. By responding to the brokenness of the world, we enter the life of the Incarnate Word, who humbled himself for a suffering humanity.
Franciscan spirituality is centered on the Cross, the Eucharist, and the Word of God. The mere sight of a cross moved Francis to adoration, reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice as the mould for his own life. In the Eucharist, he recognised a “poor and humble” God continually present among His people. This profound devotion led him to respect even a “sinful” Church, for it remained the vessel of the Sacrament. Compared to the Later Rule, the Testament places even greater emphasis on the Real Presence. Francis venerated the written and proclaimed Word as the source of “Spirit and Life,” insisting that both the Scriptures and the Holy Sacrament be housed in places of beauty that inspire faith. He desired a life focused entirely on the “form of the Holy Gospel”—the simple words he first presented to the Pope.
To safeguard this simplicity, Francis specified a humble dress of habit and cord, exhorting the friars to seek accommodation only in poor dwellings. He cautioned against seeking privileges from the Roman Curia, desiring that the friars remain “pilgrims and strangers,” never becoming settled or comfortable.
Francis also viewed manual labour as essential. While the Rule (Chapter 5) describes work as a “grace,” the Testamentframes it as a mandate. Through work, friars offer service and become co-creators with God, seeking sustenance rather than profit. Notably, while the Rule focuses on begging, the Testament prioritises labour, suggesting that friars should only rely on “the table of the Lord” (begging) when their work does not provide enough food.
Peace was to be the hallmark of the friars’ existence—their greeting and their mission. In a violent world, Francis urged them to remain peaceful in word and action. He viewed communal prayer, obedience, and loyalty to the Church as non-negotiable. He believed that through prayer, the fraternity becomes a gift where brothers become “Christ for one another.” For Francis, obedience was a form of poverty: a surrender of personal desire for the common good.
Legally, the Testament was not a binding document. In 1230, Pope Gregory IX’s Bull Quo elongati declared it non-binding, relaxing the strict vision of poverty and treating work as a choice rather than a command. In response, movements like the Spirituals, the Observants, and later the Capuchins, used the Testament as a template for reform. Today, it serves as a spiritual commentary, reminding the Order of its founder’s original fire.
For Secular Franciscans, the Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance serves a similar purpose: a spiritual reflection to be read alongside the Secular Franciscan Rule and Constitutions. The message of the Testament is reflected in the Rules and Constitutions of the Order of Secular Franciscans. They place emphasis on the transforming power of the Real Presence and view “penance” as a permanent state of being—a life lived in response to God’s love, undertaking acts of social justice and mercy (GC Art. 13). Similarly, they view work as a means of sanctifying the world (Rule Art. 16) and call members to live the “spirit and life” of the Gospel (Rule Art. 4).
“Francis’s Testament was a final act of witness. As Secular Franciscans, we are challenged to promote peace even through our ‘last will’ (GC Art. 23.3). This is our opportunity to bear witness to what truly matters. Have you clearly shared your spiritual hopes for your family? Does your family know your wishes for your future care and funeral arrangements that reflects your Franciscan journey? Have you told them about the centrality of the Gospel in your life and the gifts of God through the Church?
Consider writing your own spiritual testament—not just as a legal document, but as a final act of love that guides your family and friends in the ways of peace and faith long after you are gone.
Further reading
Francis of Assisi. The Testament. https://ofm.org/en/testament.html
General Ministers of the Franciscan Family. Francis of Assisi: A seed for eternal Life. The spiritual legacy of a Christian Man. https://centenarifrancescani.org
Liturgy. Opening of the 800th Anniversary of the Transitus of St Francis. https://centenarifrancescani.org
Fr Joseph McKay OFM
National Spiritual Assistant
