OUR MISSION
Hospitality • Justice • Contemplation
Inspired by the charism (spiritual gifts) of St. Francis and St. Clare, the mission of St. Francis Springs Prayer Center is to nurture and nourish the contemplative dimension of our life which leads us to experience God’s love and inspires us to promote justice and peace. We seek to offer a comfortable, peaceful environment where all can experience the beauty of nature, the sanctity of silence, and the joy of Franciscan hospitality.
Our Values
Hospitality
Hospitality is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that everyone who walks through our doors should be treated with kindness, respect, and compassion. We strive to create a welcoming and peaceful environment where guests can feel at home and be nurtured in their spiritual journey. Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to serving others and to living out “grace upon grace.”
Justice
As a Franciscan ministry, we are committed to the work of justice and peace in the world. This means that we promote the value and dignity of every person and work to alleviate the suffering of those who are marginalized and oppressed. We believe that justice is essential to a life of faith and that we are called to be peacemakers as we seek to create a more just and equitable world.
Contemplation
At the core of our mission is the belief that through contemplative prayer and reflection, we encounter the love of God in a healing and transformative way. We believe that the practices of silence, quieting our minds and being open to God’s presence are essential for spiritual growth and transformation. Our hope is that this inner transformation will lead people to work for social transformation.
“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”
-St. Francis of Assisi
The Life of St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi, (Giovanni di Pietro Bernardone), was born in 1182 in Assisi, Italy, to a wealthy merchant family. Given his great social standing, respect, and intelligence, Francis aspired to become a knight. In 1205 Francis left Assisi to go fight for Pope Innocent III. After being sidelined by illness, Francis saw that his life had been without real purpose and meaning, and decided to give away everything he owned and live his life in poverty and complete devotion to God.
The joy he discovered in doing so was contagious. His mission began to unfold in a radical encounter where he heard God tell him, “Go rebuild my Church, which is falling into ruin.” Francis devoted himself to a life of poverty within a community of “lesser brothers” or “fratres minores.” Francis spent the rest of his days as a traveling preacher and beggar. Witnessing his radical Christlike love led to the founding of the religious order of the Franciscans or the Order of Friars Minor and has inspired the lives of people from all walks of life for centuries. He is one of the most venerated figures in Christianity. His feast day is October 4th.
The Life of St. Clare of Assisi
Saint Clare of Assisi, (Chiara Offreduccio), was born to a noble family in 1193 in Assisi, Italy. Before her birth, her mother received a sign that her daughter would be a bright light of God in the world. From a young age, Clare drew near to God and was devoted to prayer and caring for the poor.
When she was 18, Clare left her life of nobility against her family’s wishes to join Francis and his followers. Clare and Francis formed a deep, spiritual friendship rooted in their mutual love of God and living their lives in complete service and devotion to God. Clare committed the rest of her life to one of poverty and contemplation. Many young noblewomen left all they had to join Clare, who became the abbess of the monastery at San Damiano. It is here that the Order of Poor Clares was born, which today serves in more than 70 countries. Her feast day is August 11.
The Tau: Symbol of Franciscanism
The Tau is a T-shaped cross derived from the Greek letter "Tau" (τ) and the Hebrew letter "Tav" (ת). In ancient Hebrew, "Tav" was the last letter of the alphabet and was sometimes written as a cross (× or †). It appears in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Ezekiel (9:4), where God commands His people to mark a Tav on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of divine protection.
St. Francis was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Fourth Lateran Council (1215), where Pope Innocent III spoke about the importance of the Tau as a symbol of Christian faith. From here, St. Francis was inspired to use the Tau because its simplicity reflected the core values of Franciscan life: humility, poverty, and service. He saw the Tau as a visual expression of the Way of the Cross, which involves embracing the suffering, brokenness, and vulnerability of humanity while striving to live in union with Christ.
For the Franciscans, the Tau represents:
A life of simplicity: St. Francis and his followers chose to live humbly and embrace poverty, and the Tau—a simple, unadorned cross—captures that spirit of detachment from worldly possessions.
Solidarity with the marginalized: The Tau is a symbol of healing and protection, especially for the weak, the suffering, and the poor. St. Francis often used the Tau to bless people, especially the sick, reflecting his deep care for the outcasts of society.
Conversion and renewal: The Tau is a constant reminder of the need for ongoing conversion and a return to God. Just as it symbolized the faithful in Ezekiel’s vision, for the Franciscans, it marks those who live a life of repentance and renewal, committed to the teachings of Christ.
The cross of daily life: For St. Francis, the Tau represented the cross that each person must carry in daily life, accepting the trials and challenges with grace, compassion, and faith. It calls Franciscans to embrace the suffering of the world in imitation of Christ.