| The Franciscan way of life stems from Catholic | | | | Christ provides an example for humanity of what |
| teaching and revolves around the spirituality | | | | they are intended to be. Nature of Man Each |
| demonstrated in the life of St. Francis and later, | | | | human is a uniquely created being gifted in a |
| St. Clare and others. Franciscans hold particular | | | | particular way. Each human life has purpose and |
| views regarding the nature of God and Christ, the | | | | meaning lived out through relationships. Mankind's |
| nature of man, and the way man relates to God. | | | | nature is a reflection of the nature of God. All |
| The body of beliefs which shape the human | | | | humans can make the choice to participate in the |
| understanding of God is known as Franciscan | | | | perfection of Christ to the fullest extent of their |
| theology. These beliefs result in Franciscan | | | | nature or they can choose not to participate. |
| spirituality, which describes the way people relate | | | | Every human has the freedom to choose, but |
| to God. The Nature of God God exists | | | | God provides the ability for people to do good |
| independently without relying on any other being | | | | and gives people the opportunity to cooperate. |
| or force to sustain him. His creative spirit is | | | | Nature of Salvation The salvation of humans is a |
| evidenced through creation and its development | | | | result of the action of God. God chooses to offer |
| over time. Creation relies upon the will and love of | | | | justification to mankind based on his love and the |
| God for existence. God exists in Trinity, enabling | | | | mercy of his nature, not based on anything |
| him to understand and cooperate in relationship | | | | humans do. Still, each human must work on his |
| with humans. While God does not need humans, | | | | salvation as he cooperates with God. The |
| he chooses to enter relationships with them and | | | | mystery of Christ's death on the cross was an |
| to demonstrate his love, mercy, and forgiveness | | | | act of self-sacrificial love. While God could have |
| independently of human worth. God's nature | | | | simply willed salvation, he chose instead to |
| knows no limits and cannot be restricted by the | | | | demonstrate his love and to attract humans to |
| boundaries of space and time. The Nature of | | | | himself through the death of Christ on the cross. |
| Christ Franciscans place primary importance on | | | | We at the Franciscan Renewal Center invite you |
| the celebration of the Incarnation at Christmas. In | | | | to check our website and visit our campus. We |
| the Incarnation, Christ demonstrated God's love | | | | offer several hundred programs each year and |
| for humanity by taking on human form. The | | | | provide a full service conference center as well as |
| decision of Jesus Christ to become human was | | | | retreats, counseling, spiritual direction and desert |
| not a result of mankind's sin; rather, Christ freely | | | | walking trails. Our campus is truly unique, peaceful |
| chose to become human because of God's love | | | | and renewing. The Franciscan Renewal Center, or |
| for humanity. Franciscan theology teaches that | | | | locally called The Casa, is home to four |
| Christ continues to be present with mankind | | | | Franciscans, 35 staff and over 500 volunteers. |
| today through the Eucharist which provides both | | | | Our campus is located at 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, |
| physical and spiritual nourishment. In Christ, | | | | Scottsdale, Arizona. 480-948-7460. |
| humans see the perfect mirror image of God. | | | | |