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Friday, December 7, 2012

The Poverello ("little poor man") - St. Francis


"It would be considered a theft on our part if we didn't give to someone in greater need than we are!"

"I should be accounted a thief by the great Almsgiver were I to withhold that which I wear from him who has greater need of it than I!"
- St. Francis of Assisi

The Poverello (little poor man) always looked dishevelled. This was because, though he had no money (refused to have it for the love of God!) he did have the clothes on his back. Nearly every day some poor person - so poor they didn't have clothes! - would come and beg from him and so he would give him his clothes or, at least, tear off part of his clothes so that the poor person might have something. He was so generous, never turned anyone away, that everyone knew they could get at least something from him! This kept St. Francis always in rags but also drew him closer to poor Jesus - He who became poor for love of us, giving us His all. Thanks be to God!
Kathleen Ann Lewis shared these quotes . . .

"It would be considered a theft on our part if we didn't give to someone in greater need than we are!" 

"I should be accounted a thief by the great Almsgiver were I to withhold that which I wear from him who has greater need of it than I!" 
St. Francis of Assisi     

The Poverello (little poor man) always looked disheveled.  This was because, though he had no money (refused to have it for the love of God!) he did have the clothes on his back.  Nearly every day some poor person - so poor they didn't have clothes! - would come and beg from him and so he would give him his clothes or, at least, tear off part of his clothes so that the poor person might have something.  He was so generous, never turned anyone away, that everyone knew they could get at least something from him!  This kept St. Francis always in rags but also drew him closer to poor Jesus - He who became poor for love of us, giving us His all.  Thanks be to God!
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