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The First Franciscan Tertiary
Perhaps the most unsung hero in the Secular Franciscan
Order is Blessed Luchesio Modestini, considered by tradition to be the first Franciscan Tertiary. What follows is a brief
story of his life.
Born at Gagganio, Umbria, Italy, he was forced to leave his birthplace because of his activities
on behalf of the Guelphs and went to Poggibonsi, where he became a merchant and moneylender. More than most merchants, he
was so entirely and soley concerned with material success that he was quite generally reputed to be an avaricious man. His
wife, Buonadonna, was of a similar disposition. Then Luchesio was touched by the grace of God.
Legend has it that
one day the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Luchesio and gave him several admonitions as well as instructing him to practice
works of mercy and to embrace a life of holy poverty. Others have said that Luchesios interests changed from making money
to concern for his fellow man after his children died. Whatever the reason, Luchesio suddenly began to perform his religious
obligations and to take interest in works of mercy, such as nursing the sick and visiting the prisons. His change for the
better was so dramatic that he succeeded in converting his wife as well.
Fearing that by conducting his business he
might relapse into covetousness, he gave up his business entirely. He and his good wife divided everything among the poor
and retained for themselves only a piece of land for their support. This Luchesio tilled himself.
Soon afterwards,
St. Francis of Assisi came to Poggibonsi. The year would have been around 1209, shortly after he had received papal approval
for his Order of Friars Minor. Francis had for some time contemplated the necessity of forming an association for persons
desiring to live the religious life in the world, but Luchesio and his wife Buonadonna were actually, it is said, the first
man and woman to receive from the Seraphic Father the habit and cord of the Third Order, the Order of Penance.
After
Luchesio had put on the gray garment of a Tertiary, he rapidly advanced toward perfect holiness. He practiced penitential
austerities, often fasted on bread and water, slept on the hard floor, and at his work bore God constantly in his heart. His
generosity to the poor knew no bounds, so that one day there was not even a loaf of bread for his own household. When still
another poor man came, he asked his wife to look whether there was not something they could find for him. That vexed her and
she scolded him severely; his mortifications, she said, had well nigh crazed him, he would keep giving so long that they themselves
would have to suffer hunger. Luchesio asked her gently please to look in the pantry, for he trusted in Him who had multiplied
a few loaves for the benefit of thousands. She did so, and the marvel of it! The whole pantry was filled with the best kind
of bread. From that time on, Buonadonna vied with her husband in doing good.
Luchesio attained to great sanctity and
was rewarded by ecstasies and the gift of healing. After fifty years of penance and good works, the time came for him to pass
on to his eternal reward. As he lay dying with no hope of recovery, his wife said to him, "Implore God, who gave us to each
other as companions in life, to permit us also to die together." Luchesio prayed as requested, and Buonadonna fell ill with
a fever and died shortly before her husband, after devoutly receiving the last sacraments.
Luchesio passed away with
holy longing for God on April 28, 1260. Many miracles occurred at his grave, which is in the Franciscan church at Poggibonsi.
Already venerated as a saint by the people, his cultus was confirmed in 1694, and he was formally beatified nearly 100 years
later by Pope Pius VI.
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The
above article is taken from the book entitled A Practical Guide to Secular Franciscan Formation by William Nichter, SFO.
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