François d'Assise , né sous le nom de Giovanni di Pietro Bernardone à Assise en 1181 ou 1182 et mort le 3 octobre 1226, est un religieux catholique italien, diacre et fondateur de l'ordre des frères mineurs caractérisé par une sequela Christi dans la prière, la joie, la pauvreté, l'évangélisation et l'amour de la Création divine. Il est canonisé dès 1228 par le pape Grégoire IX et commémoré le 4 octobre dans le calendrier liturgique catholique.
Saint François d'Assise est considéré comme le précurseur du dialogue interreligieux. C'est la raison pour laquelle sa ville natale a été choisie par Jean-Paul II comme siège de la journée mondiale de prière en 1986. Cette journée a été suivie d'autres journées de prière connues sous le nom de rencontres d'Assise. Le pape actuel de l'Église de Rome a pris le nom de François en signe de pauvreté, d'espérance et soumission à Dieu.
“Wherever you go, preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.”
What They Don't Always Teach You at a Christian College (1995) by Keith Anderson, p. 185.
Disputed, Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.
Variante: Do all you can to preach the gospel and if necessary use words!
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel, and, if necessary, use words.”
The Boomerang Mandate : Returning the Ministry to the People of God (1999) by Jim L. Wilson and Tom Stringfellow, p. 70.
Disputed, Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.
“Share the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words”
The Basics of Life (1998) by Andy Chrisman, Kirk Sullivan, Mark Harris and Marty Magehee.
Disputed, Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.
“Later Admonition and Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance,” Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, Volume 1, p. 48.
“St. Francis reportedly said, "Preach Jesus, and if necessary use words."”
The Strong Family (1991) by Chuck Swindoll, p.9 (Insight For Living)
Disputed, Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.
Letter to all the Faithful
Orthodox Order of Friars Minor http://www.apostle1.com/oofm-rule-of-life.htm/, Rule XII
Disputed, Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.
“Preach the gospel always and if necessary, use words.”
Cease Fire, the War Is Over! (2005) by Eric Bumpus and Tim Moranville, p. 88
Disputed, Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.
“Witness for Christ each day, and if necessary use words.”
Conspiracy of Kindness : A Refreshing New Approach to Sharing the Love of Jesus With Others (1993) by Steve Sjogren, p. 120.
Disputed, Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.
“Earlier Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance,” Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, Volume 1, p. 43.
“Preach often, and if necessary, use words”
This Is Your Time : Make Every Moment Count (2000) by Michael Whitaker Smith and Gary Lee Thomas, p. 93.
Disputed, Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.
Widely known as The Serenity Prayer this has often been attributed to St. Francis, but earliest known forms of it appeared in the early 20th century, and it is generally credited to Reinhold Niebuhr.
Misattributed
Francis of Assisi, Rule of 1221, Rule 11 http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/wosf/wosf06.htm/ - That the Brothers ought not to speak or detract, but ought to love one another.
Disputed, Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.
“Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.”
Canticle of the Sun
