Via Vitae - Celebrating the 800th Anniversary of the Rule of St. Francis
On November 29, the entire Franciscan family celebrates the 800th anniversary of the confirmation of the Rule of St. Francis. The primitive Rule of the new brotherhood led by Francis of Assisi was approved orally by Pope Innocent III in 1209. But as the movement spread and began playing a more prominent role in the life of the Church, it was important that the fraternity receive written confirmation of its way of life.
This was granted to "Brother Francis and the other brothers of the Order of Lesser Brothers (Friars Minor)" by Pope Honorius III in the Papall bull, "Solet annuere," 29 November 1223.
Fr. Cesare Vaiani, OFM, has written an informative article on the significance of this historic occasion: https://www.ofm.org/en/29th-november-2023-800-years-of-the-regula-bullata.html
Ceremony in St. John Lateran Basilica at 3 p.m., November 29, Rome time.
Dominic Monti, OFM
Professor of Franciscan Research in the Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University
Dominic V. Monti, OFM, is a Franciscan Friar of Holy Name Province (USA) and currently professor of Franciscan Research in the Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University. He devoted the greater part of his ministry to teaching the History of Christianity, in particular the history of the Franciscan movement. He has contributed two volumes to the Works of St. Bonaventure series and is author of Francis & His Brothers, a popular history of the Friars Minor.