Letter to the Rulers of the People
By: Saint Francis of Assisi

By: Saint Francis of Assisi

The Poverello, as we learn from his early biographer, Thomas of Celano, did not hesitate to address himself directly to the rulers of the world. The First Life, 43, narrates an incident in which Emperor Otto IV passed the friars' hovel at Rivo Torto, near Assisi, on his way to Rome to be crowned by the Pope. Francis sent a friar to call out repeatedly that his glory would last only a short while. The Second Life, 200, expressed his wish that emperors would enact laws that on Christmas Day more than the usual amount of hay be given to the birds, the oxen, and the asses. He would have no fear, then, to write such a letter as this to remind rulers of their responsibility before God.

Letter to the Rulers of the Peoples

To all mayors and consuls, magistrates and rulers throughout the world, and to everyone who may receive these letters: Brother Francis, your little and despicable servant in the Lord God, sends his wishes of health and peace to all of you.

Pause and reflect, for the day of death is approaching. 1 beg you, therefore, with all possible respect, not to forget the Lord or turn away from His commandments by reason of the cares and preoccupations of this world, for all those who are oblivious of Him and turn away from His commands are cursed and will be totally forgotten by Him. And when the day of death does come, everything which they think they have will be taken from them. And the wiser and more powerful they may have been in this world, so much greater will be the punishments they will endure in hell.

Therefore, I firmly advise you, my lords, to put aside all care and preoccupation and receive with joy the most holy Body and the most holy Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in holy remembrance of Him.

And you should manifest such honor to the Lord among the people entrusted to you that every evening an announcement be made by a town crier or some other signal that praise and thanks may be given by all people to the all-powerful Lord God. And if you do not do this, know that you must render an account before the Lord your God, Jesus Christ, on the day of judgment.

Let those who keep this writing with them and observe it know that they will be blessed by the Lord God.

Lesson:

Why not write your own letter:

Letter writing forces us to clarify our thinking and to take a stand. Francis took a definite stand in his Letter to the Rulers. Select a current public official -- international, national, or local - and write a letter to him. Select someone you really feel strongly about, e.g. an outspoken senator, a school board member, news commentator, or foreign diplomat. Admonish him, support him, encourage him, remind him of his duties of office - whatever you want to say to him.
What kind of responsibility did Francis feel for society? What kind of attitude did he project? How does yours compare'? Does this letter say anything about our relation to the United Farm Workers, Right to Life, multinational corporations, political involvement?

Send off your letter -- you might be surprised at the results.
TOR RESOURCE MANUAL pages 70-79