An introduction to religious and spiritual experience

St Francis of Assisi (1182–1226)
The Italian founder of the Franciscans was a man who found holiness 
after enjoying life to the full as a young man. After being on the losing 
side in a fight between Assisi and Perugia, Francis was taken prisoner and 
then became ill. He was changed by a conversion experience and renounced 

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Religious and Spiritual Experience
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wealth for a life closely modelled on that of Jesus. He abandoned 
ordinary clothes and donned a dark robe bound with a rope and took to 
a life of poverty, charity and preaching the Gospel. As he attracted follow-
ers, Francis formulated rules for them to live by which eventually led him 
set up the Order of the Franciscans and with St Clare (1194–1253), the 
Poor Clares for women. Francis lived a life of utter simplicity and poverty, 
in tune with nature, apparently even preaching to the birds. There are 
many extraordinary events associated with St Francis, the most signifi-
cant being the stigmata. After a period of retreat and fasting, contemplat-
ing Christ’s passion, Francis had a vision of a crucified seraph. It was well 
attested that his hands thereafter showed nail imprints and his side the 
marks of a wound.
The order, in three versions, survives as the Friars Minor, usually 
just referred to as the Franciscans; the Poor Clares and the Tertiaries, 
the Third Order or Society of St Francis, who live in the world but follow 
the rule.
Outside the Walls: The Beguines
In the Middle Ages, originating in the Netherlands and spreading through-
out the continent were communities of lay women, who devoted them-
selves to the care of others. They were of mystical inclination and not 
bound by vows. These independent women were not looked upon with 
favour by the established churches as their frugal way of life was indeed 
a reproach to some clergy.
Of varied background, some women had means, some not but they 
were not obliged to renounce any property. They would initially live in 
the Beguinage and after training would leave and live alone in the town. 
There they would teach or care for the sick and poor. Such centres sprang 
up all over Europe as the movement spread and men formed parallel 
communities of Beghards. The mother of the Belgian mystic Jan van 
Ruuysbroek (John of Ruysbroeck) ended her days in the Beguinage in 
Brussels. Today there is an American Beguine community following this 
pattern of life.