They're necessary, so use words

The power of his words,

and the witness given to this by a physician

¹⁰⁷Although the evangelist Francis

preached to the simple,

in simple, concrete terms,

since he knew that virtue

is more necessary than words,

still, when he was among spiritual people

with greater abilities

he gave birth to life-giving and profound words.

With very few words he would suggest

what was inexpressible,

and, weaving movement with fiery gestures,

he carried away all his hearers toward the things of heaven.

He did not use the keys of distinctions,

For he did not preach about things he had not himself discovered.

Christ, true Power and Wisdom [(1 Cor 2:1-2, 4-5)],

made his voice a voice of power [(Ps 68:34)].

     A physician, a learned and eloquent man, once said:  'I remember the sermons of other preachers word for word, only what the saint, Francis, says eludes me.  Even if I memorize some of his words, they don’t seem to me like those that originally poured from his lips [(Wis 4:11)].'

     Thomas of Celano, The remembrance of the desire of a soul (The second life of Saint Francis) (1247) I.73.  Francis of Assisi:  early documents, vol. 2, The founder, ed. Armstrong, Hellmann, & Short (New York:  New City Press, 2000), 318.

³⁶Francis, Christ’s bravest soldier,

went around the cities and villages [(Mt 9:35)],

proclaiming the kingdom of God

and preaching peace [(Mt 9:35; Acts 10:36)]

and penance for the remission of sins [(Mk 1:4)],

not in the persuasive words of human wisdom

but in the learning and power of the Spirit [(1 Cor 2:4)].

     He acted confidently [(Acts 9:28)] in all matters because of the apostolic authority granted him.  He did not use fawning or seductive flattery.  He did not smooth over but cut out the faults of others.  He did not encourage but struck at the life of sin with a sharp blow, because he first convinced himself by action, and then convinced others by words.  Not fearing anyone’s rebuke, he spoke the truth boldly, so that even well-educated men, distinguished by fame and dignity, were amazed at his words and were shaken by a healthy fear in his presence.

     Thomas of Celano, Life of Saint Francis (1229) I.15.  Francis of Assisi:  early documents, vol. 1, The saint, ed. Armstrong, Hellmann, & Short (New York:  New City Press, 1999), 214-215.
     Cf. Pope Leo XIV on 24 June 2025 to the Order of Malta:

Your Order has as its purpose the tuition fidei and the obsequium pauperum. Two aspects of a single charism: the faith that is propagated and protected in loving dedication to the poor, the marginalized, all those who are in need of support, and the help of others. Do not limit yourselves to meeting the needs of the poor, but announce to them God’s love with the word and witness. If this were lacking, the Order would lose its religious nature and would be reduced to being a philanthropic organization.

Il vostro Ordine ha come finalità la tuitio fidei e l’obsequium pauperum. Due aspetti di un unico carisma: la fede che viene propagata e tutelata nella dedizione amorosa ai poveri, agli emarginati, a tutti coloro che hanno bisogno del sostegno, dell’aiuto altrui. Non limitarsi a soccorrere le necessità dei poveri, ma annunciare loro l’amore di Dio con la parola e la testimonianza. Se venisse a mancare questo, l’Ordine perderebbe il proprio carattere religioso e si ridurrebbe a essere un’organizzazione a scopo filantropico.