From his many encounters, and the relationships which emerged from them, we have chosen three, which together form our vision:
Encounter with the Holy Gospel
One day, Francis came to a little chapel, Porziuncola (or Portiuncula), outside the walls of Assisi. The Gospel read on that day told of Jesus sending the disciples out into the world. At the end of the mass, Francis sought explanation from the priest of what he had heard. After hearing that the disciples were to carry neither gold nor silver, wallet or bag, bread or staff on their journey, but only to announce the Kingdom of God, he cried out in both joy and determination: “This is what I want! This is what I seek! This is what I long to do with all my heart!”
Encounter with the Outcast
On another occasion, Francis encountered a leper. Though normally he was nauseated by the sight of lepers, whose illness led them to be marginalised from society, Francis handed the leper a coin and kissed his hand. The man then returned a kiss of peace to Francis, and Francis continued on his journey. This encounter which had a deep impact on his life would become the Franciscan philosophy of life for his followers. In his Testament, he remembers this encounter with the words “and as I left him, that which had seemed bitter to me was changed into sweetness of soul and body.” "
Encounter with the Sultan
In the 13th year of his conversion – during the time of the Crusades – Francis travelled to Syria, where bitter fighting was raging between Muslims and Christians. He was determined to meet the Sultan of the Saracens. Though he encountered deep hostility, he would not allow himself to be discouraged. Finally, he was permitted to see the Sultan, who received him courteously and honourably. In an attempt to put the man of God to the test, the Sultan offered Francis numerous presents. However, Francis politely refused them. The members of the Sultan's court were deeply impressed, both by St. Francis' words and his principles. Such principles are reflected in his counsel to the brothers, namely that, on their travels, they should not “seek to quarrel or condemn others, but remain charitable, peaceful and modest, gentle and humble, and speak with all people with the decorum that is befitting.” "