What Saint Francis Said to the Brothers He Sent to Preach in Morocco

By Brother Matthieu of Versoix, O.F.M.Cap.

In 1219, Saint Francis of Assisi sent six brothers to preach to the Moors of Spain and then to Morocco. Before their departure, he said to them:

“My beloved children, the Lord has commanded me to send you to Spain to preach the holy faith to the Moors and to contend with the followers of Muhammad; therefore go with joy, preparing your souls for the heavenly crown. The Divine Majesty will deign to grant it to you if you carry out His holy will as He inspires you.

My dear children, take great care to preserve peace carefully among yourselves, and to be brothers not only by your habit, but above all in heart and in spirit. Flee above all envy, which was the beginning of our damnation. Be patient in suffering, joyful in persecution, humble before God and before men; in this way you will obtain victory over your visible and invisible enemies.

Remember at all times to imitate the Lord as much as possible, striving to follow Him according to your three vows. Follow Him in obedience, by submitting yourselves to your superior as He Himself submitted to His parents on earth; follow Him in poverty, by living poor as He did; for He willed to be born, to live, and to die poor, to preach poverty at all times, so as to teach us to put it into practice.

Follow Him in chastity, by remaining pure not only in body, but also in spirit; for Our Lord loved chastity so greatly that He willed to be born of a virgin, to have as the first fruits of His coming into the world, immediately after His birth, the innocents, who were virgins; and then, as witnesses of His death on the cross, two virgins: His most holy Mother and Saint John the Evangelist.

Place all your cares in God; He will help you and direct your steps. Take with you the Rule and your breviary; be faithful in reciting the Divine Office in the most perfect manner; and above all things never forget the Passion of Jesus Christ. It is this which will make you find all difficulties sweet, all sufferings gentle, whether on the long road you must travel to reach Spain, or during your stay among the Moors, enemies of their Creator.

Know well that in sending you so far from me, I have no motive but the glory of God and the salvation of souls; without this I would never consent to be separated from you. God knows the sorrow I feel in my heart in seeing you depart, although your prompt obedience fills me with consolation.

May the blessing of God the Father, the charity of God the Son, and the grace of the Holy Spirit descend upon you as once upon the Apostles; may they accompany you on your journey, strengthen and uphold you in tribulations, so that you may courageously resist your enemies, boldly engage them, and come forth victorious from the struggle.” ¹