Once again Pope Francis takes the name of a phrase from St. Francis of Assisi to title an encyclical. In this case “All Brothers” is inspired by the title of the saint's writings.
“Let us all, brothers, consider the Good Shepherd who to save His sheep bore the suffering of the Cross” (Admonitions, 6, 1: FF155).
POPE FRANCIS
May 14, 2020
“St. Francis of Assisi used to say, “All brothers and sisters.” Thus, men and women of every religious confession, we unite ourselves today in prayer and penance to ask for the grace of healing from this pandemic.”
THE RELEVANCE OF ST. FRANCIS' MESSAGE
In the midst of the pandemic, the pope sends a message about fraternity and social friendship that he will sign precisely before St. Francis' tomb.
JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ CARBALLO, OFM
Secretary, Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life
“The Church and the world needs more Francises, and those Francises can and should be all of us, as believers of Christ, especially all Catholics. The encyclical is addressed to the whole world and will have a global impact, but it is first of all for Catholics and even more so for Franciscans.”
BACK TO THE ROOTS OF CHRISTIANITY
Fraternity is not only the identity of the Franciscan vocation; it is the identity of the Christian, explains José Rodríguez Carballo. He says fraternity is a constant service to others and that it leads to the roots of Christianity.
JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ CARBALLO, OFM
Secretary, Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life
“I always say that the rule of St. Francis could end with the first sentence of the first chapter, when he says that the rule of the brothers minor is to observe and live the Gospel. With this, all is said. I believe that the pope will return to Assisi and sign the encyclical letter there, reminding us to return to the Gospel, as Francis did.'
TO WAKE UP AND RESPOND
For the former superior of the Order of Franciscans Minor, the pope's invitation to live in fraternity during the current difficulties is the key to building a post-pandemic society. It's an issue that includes overcoming the virus of indifference in the face of social inequalities..
JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ CARBALLO, OFM
Secretary, Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life
“Once again, we have been able to see, and I hope that we are not blind to that reality that we are all equal. In the face of the virus, there have been neither rich nor poor, neither educated nor ignorant. The virus makes us all equal. But I hope that we react positively, and if it has made us equal in a negative way, that we now work for universal brotherhood.”
Society, ecology, economy, spirituality and social justice are some issues that the pope will probably address in his new encyclical, whose focus will undoubtedly be human dignity.
This could be summed up by returning to the essentials, to what is truly important for a better society.
Daniel Díaz Vizzi
Translation: Christian Campos
