The Mary T. and
Frank L. Hoffman
Family Foundation
and All-Creatures.Org

Letters and Responses

Letter from Margaret Marshall About St. Francis - 24 Aug 2008

I am looking for the story of St Francis (true or not) about the young trainee priest who followed him one day in order to hear him preach.

He witnessed St Francis's actions but was disappointed that he didn't hear him preach. I think the quote 'Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words' was used in this in story. I want to use this story in church with the children but I can't remember enough of it. Can you help?

Margaret Marshall

Reply from Frank and Mary Hoffman

Dear Margaret:

Thank you for writing.

From our memory: Legend has it that a disciple of St. Francis wanted to hear him preach in the neighboring town, so Francis invited him to come along. They walked the few miles into town, and the disciple noticed that their presence was attracting a small crowd, but they kept walking until the got to the town square. Francis walked around the square and them began to walk out of town by the same road they entered.

As they began walking back home, his disciple exclaimed, "I thought you were going to preach a sermon"; to which Francis replied, "I did!"

The moral is that Francis was so Godly and lived his life in such a way that everyone knew what he stood for, even if he didn't utter a word, which is the way that each and every one of us should be.

We hope this helps.

In the Love of the Lord,

Frank and Mary

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