A Letter to Brother Anthony of Paduaa
In his Chronicle of the Twenty-Four Generals, Arnold of Arrant states that Anthony of Lisbon was an Augustinian religious who became a follower of Francis of Assisi after learning of the martyrdom of Brother Berard and his companions. After his entrance into the Fraternity, the Brothers asked him to accept the responsibility of teaching them. “He did not presume to teach,” the Chronicle maintains, “no matter how urgent the brothers’ request without first obtaining the permission of the blessed Francis.”b The date of this letter, granting Anthony permission, is some time after the papal seal was placed on the Rule, that is, after November 29, 1223.
1Brother Francis sends greetings to Brother Anthony,my Bishop.c
2I am pleased that you teach sacred theology to the brothers providing that, as is contained in the Rule, you “do not extinguish the Spirit of prayer and devotion” during study of this kind.d
- Although born in Lisbon, Portugal, Anthony is commonly identified by the place of his death and burial, Padua, Italy. He was canonized on May 30, 1232.
- Cf. Arnold of Sarrant, "Chronica XXIV Generalium Ordinis Minorum," Analecta Franciscana sive Chronica aliaque varia Documenta ad Historiam Fratrum Minorum spectantia III 132 (Quaracchi, Ad Aquas Clara: 1897).
- Episcopus, bishop, literally means inspector or supervisor, a term Francis transfers in this instance to theologians, who minister spirit and life (cf. Test 13). It suggests the concept that preachers and theologians when receiving episcopal approval share in their office of preaching and teaching.
- The incorporation of this phrase found in the LR V into the teaching and implied study of theology places those ministries within the framework of prayer and devotion. Thus Francis describes the environment of Franciscan theology and study.