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FRANCISCANISM LESSON 1: TIMES OF ST. FRANCIS Feudalism: 1. Mutuality of Generations and Generational A social system where people worked Conflicts and fought for nobles in exchange for...

FRANCISCANISM LESSON 1: TIMES OF ST. FRANCIS Feudalism: 1. Mutuality of Generations and Generational A social system where people worked Conflicts and fought for nobles in exchange for protection and land. Society was Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie: The novel presents a divided into distinct social classes, each metaphor of the long-standing "battle" between with its own subculture. children and grown-ups. Rise in Population: In modern society, this is reflected in conflicts ○ Cities became denser as the between teenagers and parents, visible on population grew rapidly, leading to social media. the development of urban centers. Scholasticism and the University Boomers vs. Snowflakes: Derogatory terms like System: "boomer" (older generation) and "snowflake" ○ Education focused on classical (younger generation) are used to describe each philosophy and supported Christian other. beliefs. ○ Universities emerged with renewed Erik Erikson’s Concept of Mutuality of interest in law, medicine, and the Generations: arts. Rise of the Business Class: Erikson suggested that different generations ○ Merchants gained wealth and impact each other’s development. political influence, marking the Young generations can learn from older beginning of a new class that rivaled generations, and vice versa. the royalty in wealth and power. Age of Chivalry: Example: Parents and teachers lived in a world ○ Knighthood was idealized, with a where resources were not readily available, strong moral code and respect for which taught them to be innovative and women. It was an appealing creative. Today’s youth have adapted to a aspiration for young men of the time. fast-paced, technology-driven environment. Constant Conflict Between Church and Empire: Application in Franciscanism: ○ Kings and popes were in constant conflict, fighting for supremacy and Erikson’s concept can be applied to understand influence. how St. Francis’ time molded his character ○ The Gothic architecture of that time and how his ideals continue to impact faith (high-rise cathedrals and castles) communities today. symbolized the ongoing battle for dominance. 2. The High Middle Ages (St. Francis' Time) 3. Parallels Between St. Francis’ Era and St. Francis lived during the High Middle Ages, Modern Times a period characterized by:  FRANCISCANISM There are many similarities between the time of Erikson’s Perspective: St. Francis and the present day: ○ Erikson believed that instead of focusing on differences, we should recognize how Conflicting Parties: generations influence one another. ○ Older generations were forced to be In St. Francis' time, there was a division between creative due to limited resources, while the temporal power of kings and the spiritual today’s youth adapt to a fast-paced world of power of popes technology and information. In modern society, divisions exist due to political ideologies and loyalties. Competition is found everywhere: politics, TV stations, 5. Timeless Virtues and Generational fandoms, and even fast food choices, leading to Bridging a more divided society. The Importance of Virtues: Sudden Surge in Knowledge: ○ Although technology and society change over time, virtue remains In both eras, there was a rapid increase in constant. knowledge and education. ○ Example: In a video from The Ellen Show, a young woman respectfully In St. Francis’ time, the rise of scholasticism explains the meaning of “clap back” and universities challenged people’s way of to an older man. This shows that even life. with generational gaps, respect In modern times, the advancement of remains vital. technology (e.g., smartphones, apps) poses Timeless Virtues: challenges for older generations trying to ○ Virtues like punctuality are important adapt. across generations. For example, Social and Economic Stratification: delays can annoy both younger and ○ Class struggles existed in both older individuals, emphasizing the eras: enduring value of being on time. In St. Francis’ time, social classes determined one’s way of life, with the wealthy often being indifferent to the struggles of the lower classes. Today, there are still conflicts between the wealthy and the poor, with the middle class striving to belong to the upper class. 4. Generational Differences: “Ganito Kami Noon, Ganito Kami Ngayon” The Debate: ○ The phrase "ganito kami noon, ganito kami ngayon" reflects the endless debate between generations about their differences. FRANCISCANISM Lesson 2: ST. FRANCIS' CAREER entertainment from troubadours DISCERNMENT (poet-musicians). He often became the leader or St. Francis’ Early Life and Family Tripudanti of these parties, a role that Background involved overseeing the festivities. Despite all this revelry, St. Francis St. Francis was born in 1182 in Assisi, struggled with a sense of belonging. He a central Italian city that was allied with was neither fully accepted by the the Pope. nobility nor comfortable among the His father, Pietro Bernadone, was a commoners. This led to a sense of textile merchant, and during that time, emptiness and confusion about his textiles were a profitable business. identity. Pietro was known for being aggressive, industrious, miserly, irascible (easily Struggle for Identity – Erik Erikson’s angered), shrewd, and very practical. Despite these traits, he was also a good Theory provider and ambitious for his son. According to Erik Erikson’s His mother, Pica Bernadone, was the developmental theory, St. Francis was opposite—pious, gentle, experiencing a conflict between identity compassionate (especially toward the and role confusion during this period of poor), and an obedient spouse. She was his life. elegant but simple in her lifestyle. Erikson's theory suggests that during adolescence, individuals struggle to St. Francis’ Social Standing define who they are and their role in Although St. Francis' family was society. Success in forming a clear wealthy, they were not part of the identity strengthens the individual, while nobility. Wealth alone didn’t grant them failure leads to confusion and weakness social status in the feudal system of of character. Medieval Italy, where status was based St. Francis, like many teenagers, was on royal lineage. trying to build his identity and find his Nobles were often not as wealthy as place in the world, but his efforts were merchants, but their birthright gave often misguided, such as his them a higher status. Despite being participation in wild parties as a way to richer than some nobles, St. Francis and gain attention. his family were considered socially inferior because they lacked noble blood. St. Francis’ Teenage Years St. Francis’ teenage years were described as boisterous and spoiled. He was known for leading extravagant parties filled with food, wine, and FRANCISCANISM Career Choice Theories ○ Careers: Accountants, managers, stock analysts, office clerks, data John L. Holland’s Vocational Choice Theory entry specialists. 6. Social Type (Helpers): John L. Holland, an American ○ Traits: Sociable, empathetic, psychologist, proposed that career enjoys helping others, cooperative, choices reflect a person’s personality. friendly. He categorized personalities into six ○ Careers: Teachers, counselors, types, with each type being suited to social workers, nurses, human specific careers: resource officers. 1. Realistic Type (Doers): ○ Traits: Practical, firm, prefers Donald Super’s Self-Concept Theory working with hands, enjoys physical tasks. Donald Super, another American ○ Careers: Factory workers, farmers, psychologist, proposed that career carpenters, electricians, mechanics. choice is a lifelong process. Unlike 2. Investigative Type (Thinkers): Holland’s theory, Super believed that ○ Traits: Analytical, curious, enjoys career decisions are influenced by a solving problems, and working person’s self-concept—how they see with facts and information. themselves throughout their life. ○ Careers: Scientists, Super’s theory emphasizes that people’s mathematicians, researchers, interests, values, and skills change over investigators, engineers. time, and so do their career paths. 3. Artistic Type (Creators): Career choices are also affected by ○ Traits: Imaginative, creative, external factors: prefers working with abstract ideas, 1. Family/Parental Expectations: enjoys expressing themselves ○ In Asian families, children often through art. choose careers based on the needs or ○ Careers: Painters, writers, expectations of their family. For musicians, actors, graphic example, children born into families designers. with a business may feel pressured to 4. Enterprising Type (Persuaders): take over the family business. ○ Traits: Charismatic, good at 2. Economic Status: convincing others, enjoys leading, ○ A college education is expensive, and confident. students must consider their financial ○ Careers: Sales agents, lawyers, situation when choosing a career. politicians, entrepreneurs, Some may opt for more affordable marketing professionals. courses or careers that provide better 5. Conventional Type (Organizers): financial stability. ○ Traits: Organized, detail-oriented, 3. Community and Culture: prefers structured tasks, efficient, ○ The values of the community you practical. grow up in can shape your career choices. For example, students from indigenous or traditional communities FRANCISCANISM might pursue careers that support their culture, such as agriculture or community leadership. LESSON 3: SAN DAMIANO 4. Employment Opportunities: ○ Job availability in certain fields can Erik Erikson’s Stages of Development affect career choices. Students often consider whether they will be able to 1. Overview of Erikson's Theory: find employment after college before ○ Erik Erikson's psychosocial deciding on a course. development theory outlines eight stages that span from infancy to late adulthood. ○ Each stage presents a psychosocial St. Francis' Military Experience and conflict that individuals must resolve to develop a healthy personality and Turning Point acquire basic virtues. During a civil war in Assisi, a conflict 2. Sixth Stage: Intimacy vs. Isolation arose between the Minores ○ Age Range: 20-40 years old (commoners, including merchants) and ○ Core Conflict: This stage is the Majores (nobles). The Majores, characterized by a struggle between based in Perugia, waged war against the intimacy and isolation. Minores in Assisi. Intimacy: The ability to form In 1202, St. Francis joined the fight and deep, meaningful relationships became a soldier in the Battle of with others. Collestrada. During the battle, he was Isolation: The risk of emotional captured and held as a prisoner of war withdrawal and loneliness if the (POW) by the Majores in Perugia. individual fails to establish His family paid a large ransom to connections. secure his release, and after returning to ○ Significance: Successfully navigating Assisi, St. Francis suffered a long illness this stage results in the ability to that marked a turning point in his life. create committed relationships, After his recovery, he was still while failure may lead to feelings of determined to pursue military glory and isolation and loneliness. heroism. He wanted to join Count Walter III in a war supported by the Pope and become a knight. Understanding Depression vs. Loneliness However, during this time in Spoleto, St. Francis experienced a vision where 1. Defining the Terms: God spoke to him and asked, "Who is ○ Loneliness: Often viewed as a better to serve, the servant or the fleeting emotional state. Lord?" This vision changed the course Example: Feeling sad after watching of his life, leading him toward spiritual a tragic movie may lead to temporary transformation. sadness, which dissipates with time. ○ Depression: A deeper, more persistent emotional state. FRANCISCANISM Characteristics: Unlike fleeting ○ Lepers were often equated with evil sadness, depression is marked by: and treated as societal outcasts, Changes in sensory perception stripped of their legal identity. Disruption of sleep 2. The Transformative Encounter: Low energy ○ Initially, St. Francis felt disgust upon Change in appetite seeing a leper. Changes in psychomotor movements ○ However, he overcame this feeling and Inappropriate feelings of guilt chose to embrace the leper, kissing Anhedonia (loss of interest in activities his wounds. once enjoyed) ○ This act symbolized a critical moment Frequent thoughts of death in his spiritual journey, leading him to Anxiety realize that true joy is found beyond ○ Source: Symptoms based on insights material wealth. from Dr. Aaron Kheriaty in his book 3. Realization of Mortality: "The Catholic Guide to Depression." ○ The encounter with the leper reminded St. Francis of his mortality and imperfections. ○ He recognized that worldly pleasures St. Francis' Journey to True Joy were ultimately banal and that he needed something greater than earthly 1. Post-Spoleto Experience: satisfaction—a relationship with God. ○ After the event at Spoleto, St. Francis returned home feeling physically and emotionally broken. ○ He faced a profound crisis of identity Concept of Metanoia and the loss of his desire for recognition. 1. Definition of Metanoia: 2. The Search for Joy: ○ Metanoia: A Greek term ○ St. Francis' previous pursuits of joy meaning "to change one’s through wealth, friends, and parties mind." ultimately provided only temporary ○ It involves two significant turns: satisfaction. 1. Turning away from a ○ These external sources of happiness life of sin and were fleeting and did not fill the void in superficiality. his life. 2. Turning toward a new life with God and purpose. 2. St. Francis' Metanoia: The Leper Experience: A Turning Point ○ This transformation began when he lived among lepers and 1. Context of Leprosy: outcasts, symbolizing his shift ○ During St. Francis' time, leprosy was from materialism to spiritual viewed as a serious disease, and those richness. affected were ostracized from society. ○ He sold his possessions and renounced his former life in FRANCISCANISM front of the Bishop, claiming To find true joy, we must confront these that his true father was now difficulties and embrace the God in Heaven. transformative journey, just as St. Francis did. Following Christ often means making choices that defy worldly expectations, Finding Purpose at San Damiano seeking deeper spiritual truths, and recognizing that true peace comes from 1. Significance of San Damiano: God, not the world. ○ San Damiano was an 11th-century church, abandoned and in ruins by the time of St. Francis. ○ It housed the San Damiano Crucifix, which spoke to him, urging him to "repair my house which, as you see, is all in ruins." 2. Realization of Life’s Purpose: ○ This moment marked the discovery of his vocation and the realization that he had a divine mission to fulfill. ○ It reinforced the idea that true joy and purpose come from serving God and others rather than pursuing self-interest. Key Takeaways: Happiness vs. Joy Happiness is typically temporary and derived from external sources. Joy is eternal and God-given, providing a deep sense of fulfillment. ○ True joy is found in acceptance of one's limitations, imperfections, and a relationship with God. Final Reflection The leper symbolizes the challenges and imperfections in our own lives that we often wish to avoid.