ENCYCLICAL LETTER
FRATELLI TUTTI
OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
ON FRATERNITY AND SOCIAL FRIENDSHIP
1. “FRATELLI TUTTI” With these words, Saint Francis of Assisi addressed his brothers and sisters and proposed to them a way of life marked by the flavour of the Gospel. Of the counsels Francis offered, I would like to select the one in which he calls for a love that transcends the barriers of geography and distance, and declares blessed all those who love their brother “as much when he is far away from him as when he is with him”. In his simple and direct way, Saint Francis expressed the essence of a fraternal openness that allows us to acknowledge, appreciate and love each person, regardless of physical proximity, regardless of where he or she was born or lives.
2. This saint of fraternal love, simplicity and joy, who inspired me to write the Encyclical Laudato Si’, prompts me once more to devote this new Encyclical to fraternity and social friendship. Francis felt himself a brother to the sun, the sea and the wind, yet he knew that he was even closer to those of his own flesh. Wherever he went, he sowed seeds of peace and walked alongside the poor, the abandoned, the infirm and the outcast, the least of his brothers and sisters.
Further reading can be found here.
Fratelli Tutti (3 October 2020) _ FrancisPlease scroll down from the left at the bottom of the page to view the rest of the pages
Here is the link you can print out by clicking here.
Krijn Pansters, “Turning Toward the Common Good, Here and Now: Rules of Fraternal Living in Fratelli Tutti”, in: Franciscan Connections: The Cord – A Spiritual Review 70-4 (2020), 17-19
This is a very helpful article about Fratelli Tutti. A pdf version may be found on the Franciscan Connections Blog. franciscanconnections.com:
https://www.franciscanconnections.com/blog.php?bid=72
Dr Krijn
Excellent article, thank you Sean. The author’s summary catches the essence of the purpose of Fratelli Tutti as far more than a theological piece. Fratelli Tutti is a call to put Jesus’ message into concrete action here and now, from our heads and our hearts through our hands…
“From interior contemplation must come
exterior construction: from within, from the ground up, in
the most sincere and effective way, one must strive towards
integral human development and equal dignity, through the
cultivation of kindness and love, through actions that further
the common good”