Here at Alvernia University, there are the five core values. These values are humility, service, collegiality, contemplation, and peacemaking. Now, people may know what the five values are, but they probably do not know exactly what each of them means. Humility, according to Alvernia University, is the truth of our human condition, which means we are dependent of God for everything, even our very life. Humility also acknowledges the dignity of our life, that we are made in God’s image and we are to love all humanity. This is connected to Saint Francis because he knew that he could not be the wealthiest of his time period any more. With humility, Francis began to live with the people who were poor and had no voice in society. Francis began considering…show more content… Service is rooted in the gospel and defines the early Franciscan movement. St. Francis began calling his followers “lesser brothers” because of all the wealth they sacrificed to follow him, and how the things they were doing, were not accepted socially, at the time, a reverse of worldly values, a commitment to serve the poor in society. By doing these things, St. Francis and his followers embraced humiliation, accepted hostility, and demonstrated compassion. The service given by these men was marked by joy, and everyone began to recognize a mirror of Christ and his disciples. Even though these people were poor, they were still treated like family, and were served with compassion and mercy, and focused on self-sacrifice and concern for…show more content… Contemplation is prayer that moves beyond words and formulas to recognize and praise God as a Divine Person who loves the world and all in it, and who desire a loving relationship with all people in the world. In contemplations, we are very close and intimate with God. We can draw deeper into God through the Franciscan Prayer. The final core value, but certainly not least is peacemaking. Franciscans are classified as peace makers. Peace is the place in our hearts where love and justice inhabit. Peacemaking causes us to live in harmony with all creation, as brothers and sisters under God because he came to live among us through Jesus Christ. As Franciscans, we always choose reconciliation over retaliation in personal relationships. Peacemaking wants us to recognize how God designed us to live. Peacemaking also encourages people to create peaceful communities to demonstrate authenticity of human
