Love is not loved

 

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"Love is not loved" is a phrase about the fidelity of God's love, and it is attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, although it does not appear in any of his original biographies (those of the thirteenth century). Which leads us to wonder about the origin of the tradition that embraces this phrase associated with the deed of the Poverello.

By why did tradition associate the Saint of Assisi with this phrase? It had to start in the periphery of the Franciscan orders not before the eighteenth century. Possibly, the influential work of Alfonso Maria de 'Liguori would perhaps establish the definitive outlines of the legendary episode with the phrase "love is not loved" pronounced by Francis.

After all, "love is not loved" shares the same inspiration for Francis's high ideals. The phrase began to be heard on the outskirts of large cities, when the Franciscan orders were just beginning their mission.

Alvarez A., Cristian. «L’amore non è amato (Love is not loved). Franciscanum 163, Vol. LVII (2015). Pp. 441-477.