Letter to Brother Leo

With Franciscan Clarean Commentary

The Text

Brother Leo, your Brother Francis sends you greeting and peace.

So I say to you, my son, in whatever way it seems best to you to please the Lord God and to follow His footsteps and poverty, do this with the blessing of the Lord God and with my obedience.

And if it is necessary for you, and you wish, to come to me for counsel, I permit you to come.

And always, whatever way it seems better to you to please the Lord God and to follow His footsteps and poverty, do it with the blessing of the Lord God and with my obedience.

And if you need me and want to come to me for counsel, come.

Your Brother Francis.

Clarean Commentary

Greeting:
Francis calls Leo “my son” — not as a master, but as a tender father. His love is familial, warm, and close. For Clareans today, this models pastoral care: we do not lord it over others but walk with them as kin.

Freedom in God:
Francis repeats himself almost word for word — “whatever way it seems best to you to please the Lord… do it with God’s blessing.” He gives Leo holy permission to seek God in his own way. This is astonishing in a medieval context. For Clareans today, this is our blueprint for pastoral guidance: not control, but liberation. Trust the Spirit at work in the other.

Invitation, Not Domination:
Francis adds: “if you want to come to me for counsel, come.” Notice the gentleness: he does not command Leo to obey blindly but invites him to come freely. For Clareans today, this dismantles authoritarian spiritual direction. We walk alongside; we do not dominate.

The Heart of Francis:
This tiny letter shows Francis at his most human and compassionate. No fiery warnings here — just gentleness, love, and trust. For Clareans today, this is perhaps the clearest picture of how we should guide one another: not with fear, but with freedom and blessing.