Third Sunday of Advent

Today's Readings

The Franciscan Spirit of Cardinal Stritch University
Originally written for AFCU Reflection Series, October 2022
Adapted for Advent 2022

In 1937, the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi founded St. Clare College on the southside of Milwaukee, WI. Originally, it was a center of education and formation for sisters in the congregation. In 1946, to recognize his support of the school, the college was renamed for Samuel Cardinal Stritch. As the university transitioned to lay leadership, the sisters discerned four Franciscan values to guide its mission: creating a caring community, making peace, showing compassion, and reverencing all of creation. These four values are both the inspiration and the reflection of the Franciscan spirit of the university, which animates our mission and actualizes our ministry.

At the conclusion of A Mirror of the Perfection, St. Francis is depicted on his final journey from the Assisi to the Portziuncola. Halfway along the road, St. Francis asked his companions to turn him towards Assisi, so that he could offer the community a final blessing. In a sonorous prayer, the saint describes the transformation of the city from an “abode of wicked and evil men” into the home of those who “exude the fragrance of a holy life, of truest doctrine, of a good reputation, and of evangelical perfection to the whole Christian people.”[1]  Pilgrims to Assisi often report their encounter with this Spirit of Peace that seems to still embrace the verdant valleys and patchwork plains of Umbria, from its venerable mountain paths to cobblestone village streets.

As St. Francis became an alter Christus (“another Christ”) to his companions and followers, perhaps it could be said that Franciscan institutions are called to become an alter Asisium (“another Assisi”).[2] Beyond mission integration and ministry engagement, it is through the daily encounter with this Franciscan Spirit, present in the values and actions of our community, that allows the university to realize its vision "to transform individuals to 'approve the better things'[3] as they discover their purpose in life."[4]

Advent is a time of renewal, as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the great mystery of the Incarnation. In this season of holy expectation, our Franciscan spirit also calls us to recommit ourselves to the way of the Lord Jesus. Following the example of St. Francis, let us embrace the grace of conversion that transforms both our individual lives and our communities into places of dialogue and encounter with our God who is “making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

Gino G. Grivetti
Director of University Ministry, Cardinal Stritch University

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[1] A Mirror of the Perfection (The Sabatier Edition), in Francis of Assisi: Early Documents [FA:ED], Vol. III: The Prophet (New York: New City Press, 2001), no. 124, pg. 371-2.

[2] Cf. Sister Eunice Hanousek, OSF, A New Assisi: The First Hundred Years of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, (Milwaukee, WI: Bruce, 1948).

[3] The motto of Cardinal Stritch University: Ut probetis potiora (Philippians 1:10).

[4] Cf. the Vision Statement of Cardinal Stritch University: https://www.stritch.edu/about/our-story/stritch-mission