A centenary in the Franciscan centenaries
The year 2025 will mark the eighth centenary of the birth of Isabella of France (1225-2025), a princess belonging to one of the most influential families of royal blood in the history of Christianity, the Capetian family, who consciously and with determination chose the path of “the highest humility” , following the example of the Virgin Mary. Thanks to the most recent studies, Isabella emerges as an eloquent and significant figure in mediaeval Franciscan female history and holiness. A woman of piety and intense charity, she clothed herself with the pearls of honesty, wisdom in interpreting, moderation in power, and foresight in abundance. A younger sister of Louis IX, a Franciscan tertiary saint, she remained in the shadow of her brother's sanctity for almost three centuries after his death, even though she had already enjoyed a widespread reputation for holiness during her lifetime: it was not until 1521 that Leo X counted her among the saints, with the title of blessed.
The eighth anniversary of her birth enriches the various memories of the Franciscan centenaries we are celebrating because the rediscovery of the pages of her life and faith, little known until a few decades ago, colour the Franciscan heritage of the first centuries with new shades. It is in fact rendered precious by the reception of Franciscan ideals by this woman, of royal origin, who, without "leaving the world" to belong to the Second Order as Agnes of Prague did, and differing from the penitential model of Elizabeth of Hungary, knew how to “devoutly burn in Christ”, giving life to an unprecedented reality, that of the Order of the Sorores minores inclusae. Inserting herself fully within the first steps of female Franciscanism, Isabella of France brings to light a vision and a free, conscious, dynamic and reasoned reception of Franciscanism; a desire to follow Christ and make herself an instrument of his grace while remaining “with modesty” in her own state of life, that of royalty, embracing the values of Francis of Assisi; an ability to enter into dialogue with the world of the male Franciscan Order and the papal curia to the point of obtaining the approval of a new Rule that encompasses an understanding of Franciscan mendicant spirituality, which then spread throughout Europe through the monasteries that embraced it.
Read the full text of the Letter: Français - Italiano - English - Español