Why do Secular Franciscans wear the TAU?
St. Bonaventure said, "This TAU symbol had all the veneration and all the devotion of the saint: he spoke of it often in order to recommend it, and he traced it on himself before beginning each of his actions."
Thomas of Celano, another Franciscan historian and biographer of Francis, writes, "Francis preferred the Tau above all other symbols: he utilized it as his only signature for his letters, and he painted the image of it on the walls of all the places in which he stayed."
In the famous blessing of Brother Leo, Francis wrote on parchment,
"May the Lord bless you and keep you!
May the Lord show His face to you and be merciful to you!
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace!
God bless you Brother Leo!"
Francis sketched a head (of Brother Leo) and then drew the TAU over this portrait.
Due, no doubt, in large part to Francis' own affection for and devotion to the TAU, it has been a well-recognized and accepted Franciscan symbol among Franciscans of various denominations and of all orders within those denominations for centuries. It remains so today. The TAU carries with it all of the symbolism of the Cross of Christ as well as Francis' ideal of life and dream for himself and his followers.
The TAU is the designated as the distinctive sign of the Secular Franciscan Order of the United States.
Secular Franciscans, do you wear your TAU every day?
(Information from the FUN Manual)
Diane F. Menditto, OFS
Chair, National Formation Commission
Minister, Our Lady of the Angels Region
We are all part of a history and a story. We are part of a “tribe.” We are part of the story of our families, of our religion, of the time in which we live. As Franciscans we are also part of the Franciscan story. There are traditions, stories, devotions, prayers and sayings involved with all of these groups. Knowing about them helps us to be part of the family. Every so often, Formation Friday will highlight one of these important parts of our story.
St. Bonaventure said, "This TAU symbol had all the veneration and all the devotion of the saint: he spoke of it often in order to recommend it, and he traced it on himself before beginning each of his actions."
Thomas of Celano, another Franciscan historian and biographer of Francis, writes, "Francis preferred the Tau above all other symbols: he utilized it as his only signature for his letters, and he painted the image of it on the walls of all the places in which he stayed."
In the famous blessing of Brother Leo, Francis wrote on parchment,
"May the Lord bless you and keep you!
May the Lord show His face to you and be merciful to you!
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace!
God bless you Brother Leo!"
Francis sketched a head (of Brother Leo) and then drew the TAU over this portrait.
Due, no doubt, in large part to Francis' own affection for and devotion to the TAU, it has been a well-recognized and accepted Franciscan symbol among Franciscans of various denominations and of all orders within those denominations for centuries. It remains so today. The TAU carries with it all of the symbolism of the Cross of Christ as well as Francis' ideal of life and dream for himself and his followers.
The TAU is the designated as the distinctive sign of the Secular Franciscan Order of the United States.
Secular Franciscans, do you wear your TAU every day?
What do you think about when you put on your TAU?
(Information from the FUN Manual)Diane F. Menditto, OFS
Chair, National Formation Commission
Minister, Our Lady of the Angels Region
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