Roger Bacon High School - Troubadour Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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St. Francis Of Assisi 1 1 82- 1 982 EIGHTH CENTENARY In 1182 hundreds of boys were born in Assisi, Italy. One of them, Francis, is still influencing the Christian and non-Christian world 800 years after his birth. Many Christians consider Francis to be an extremely dedi- cated follower of Jesus; Francis encourages them to follow Christ more generously. Non-Christians often view Francis as one of Christianity's best representa- tives. Roger Bacon is a Franciscan school, not simply be- cause it is named for a 13th century Franciscan scientist and theologian, not simply because there are pictures of Francis in the lobby and chapel, nor because its diplo- mas and stationery bear the Franciscan coat of arms, nor because 14 of its faculty members wear the Francis- can habit. Roger Bacon is a Franciscan school because its graduates, parents, faculty, friends, and students be- lieve that Francis of Assisiis approach to life still makes sense today. Francis used to say, What you are before God, that you are and no more. We can rightly add, and no less. If we are truthful about ourselves before God, we are likely to be more honest about ourselves and others. Living in this threefold truth about God, himself, and othersi made Francis in- credibly free in a time when many people felt that freedom came from gaining more wealth, power, or status than ones neighbors. Popes and beggars, rich merchants and children all felt at ease in Fran- ! h Icisis presenca because he was so close to God that t he saw all creation as coming from God.