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The venerated Saint Francis of Assisi (vegetarian), born in late 1181 or early 1182, was an Italian Catholic friar, deacon, preacher, and the founder of the Franciscan Orders. He is greatly admired for His faith and dedication to God, expressed through His reverence for the environment and all animal-people as brothers and sisters. In 2014, Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) spoke of Saint Francis’ notable influence. Today, we will present excerpts of the ‘Rules for the Friars Minor’ from the book, “The Writings of Saint Francis of Assisi,” where the blessed Saint lays down the directives for His faithful friars to follow. “Let us all, brothers, give heed to what the Lord says: ‘Love your enemies, and do good to them that hate you.’ For our Lord Jesus, whose footsteps we ought to follow, called His betrayer friend and offered Himself willingly to His crucifiers. Let us take much care that we be not the wayside, or the stony or thorny ground, according to what the Lord says in the Gospel: The seed is the word of God. And that which fell by the wayside and was trampled under foot are they that hear the word and do not understand; then the devil comes, and snatches that which has been sown in their hearts and takes the word out of their hearts, lest believing they should be saved. But that sown on good ground are they who, in a good and best heart, hearing the word understand and keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience. ‘Where there are two or three gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.’ ‘Behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.’ ‘The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.’ ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.’ Holy Father, keep them in Thy Name whom Thou have given Me, that they may be one, as we also are. These things I speak in the world that they may have joy filled in themselves.”
