Product Description
LENT WITH SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI AND HIS TESTAMENT: Jesus, Francis, and You for Spiritual Growth during Lent by Madeline Pecora Nugent, CfP, In time to celebrate the 800th anniversary Jubilee year of Saint Francis death, proclaimed by Pope Leo on January 10, 2026.
Madeline Pecora Nugent, author of a Franciscan trilogy Francesco, Chiara, and Antonio (Pauline Books and Media, available as individual books or in a set from the CFP Holy Angels Gift Shop), takes the reader through Lent by exploring the depths of Saint Francis’ Testament. Dictated by Saint Francis shortly before his death in 1226, the Testament is what Francis considered to be a summary of his life’s high points and his most important teachings. Through it, he hoped to preserve the original intent of his Order after his death.
Nugent couples the Testament with passages from the Gospels and the teachings of Christ, bringing out similarities that challenge the reader to deeper spiritual growth. Bulk discounts available. Available for pre-order. The booklet is being printed and will be shipped in time for Lent.
First Three Reflections:
Ash Wednesday
The Lord gave to me, Brother Francis, thus to begin to do penance (TSF)
“In the beginning was the Word . . .” (John 1:1)
Everything but God has a beginning. The Apostle John is careful to assert, at the very beginning of his Gospel, that the Word was in the beginning, and that God the Father made all things through that Word Whom we know as Christ. After Christ’s death and resurrection, John wrote his Gospel to encapsulate Christ’s life even though he could not capture it completely. “There are many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.” (John 20:30-31).
Saint Francis wrote his Testament when he realized that his death was imminent. In it, he briefly summarized the high points of his conversion and the joys and trials that followed. Skipping over a great deal of his spiritual journey, he focused on what he considered essential for his brothers.
If you knew that your death was would occur in the weeks or months ahead, what would you want your loved ones to remember about your life? If you can’t think of much, or if you wish you had better memories to record for them, Lent is the perfect time to begin to create those memories. Who do you need to contact? Who do you need to forgive? Who needs to hear that you forgive them? What charities should you donate to now before someone else uses your money in their own way? Have you made a will?
Lent is a time to think not only about the past and present but about our spiritual future. How are you leaving this world a little better? Take some time in prayer to ask God about that.
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
for when I was in sin it seemed to me very bitter to see lepers (TSF)
“. . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve . . .(Matthew 20:28)
Those who know the story of Francis kissing the leper tend to glamorize the encounter. Likely it was revolting. Francis used to throw alms to lepers, following Christ’s injunction to give to the poor, but he never would approach them. In fact, he would hold his nose against the putrid smell of their decaying flesh. Can you imagine yourself walking up to a homeless person whose body odor is overpowering? After pressing a wad of bills into the outstretched hand, you embrace the odiferous clothed body and kiss the grimy cheek on the right, and then the one on the left as Italians do.
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta wrote, “Today it is fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk with them.”
The Son of Man came “to serve.” What is “service”? It is it enough to give money to the poor? Or might the Holy Spirit be asking you to actually go and serve them?
Are the lepers you encounter only the disheveled and shabby poor? Might they also be those with different life styles, values, political parties, and religions? Might they live in nursing homes and not only on street corners? Might your lepers be a rebellious child or an in-law who’s more like an outlaw?
How about asking God how you can minister to the lepers this Lent?
Friday after Ash Wednesday
and the Lord Himself led me amongst them and I showed mercy to them. (TSF)
As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” (Luke 17: 12-13)
Francis didn’t have one close up encounter with a leper and move on. He allowed that encounter to change his life. After that first encounter, he created others. Visiting leper colonies, he brought money and provisions, washed the lepers’ sores, and ate with them. Since he was a tailor, he likely made the lepers garments and patched ones they were using. In other words, Francis came to know the lepers as he brothers and sisters, human being deserving of dignity and love.
Francis was following Christ’s example. Jesus touched and healed lepers and forgave their sins. Like Jesus, Francis not only felt pity for the needy. He ministered to them. No doubt he also listened to them.
Henri Nouwen called listening a form of “spiritual hospitality”:
Listening is more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond. Listening is paying full attention to others and welcoming them into our very being. Those who are listened to begin to feel accepted and understood. Tensions lessen, confidence increases, problems become less formidable, and solutions begin to appear. Listening is a priceless gift. Everyone deserves presence. Can you be present to someone by listening? Who might that be?
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