St. Francis Compare And Contrast Essay

Both the sixteenth canon from the Canons of the Fourth Lateran Council and the second of St. Francis’ edicts from The Rule of Saint Francis of Assisi mention what the members of their groups ought to wear, respectively being the clergy and the Franciscans. The first document set forth restrictions on the apparel of clergymen, whereas the document states the dress code for Franciscan friars. Pope Innocent III’s Lateran Council and Saint Francis both believed holy men should wear humble clothes that blatantly set them apart from others. The Lateran Council was specific about the dress of clerks being different from the dress of the laity. The sixteenth canon says, “they are not to indulge in red or green cloths, long sleeves or shoes with embroidery or with curved toes, bridles, pectorals and spurs that are gilded or have other unnecessary ornamentation” (Geary 438). The inclusion and
While the Canons of the Fourth Lateran Council tends to mention the appearance and the cost of items, saying, “They are not to wear buckles or belts ornamented with gold or silver, or even rings” (Geary 438), St. Francis and his followers live in poverty. They did this to mimic the lifestyle of Christ. He says those who follow his teachings “shall have one gown with a cowl, and another, if they wish it, without a cowl. And those who are compelled by necessity, may wear shoes” (Geary 457). He also adds that they “may repair them with sack cloth and other remnants, with the benediction of God” (Geary 457). Only having two outfits, perhaps some shoes if they need it, and repairing them with scraps of sack cloth with permission from God illuminates the willful poverty of the Franciscans. And while the Canons of the Fourth Lateran Council doesn’t restrict clergymen to impoverish themselves, it does prohibit ‘unnecessary