A Simple, Radical Faith
St. Francis was a radical in his day – was even perceived as a heretic – because he offered a fresh view of the Christian life by living as a beggar, believing in providence, and closely following the teaching of the Gospel. But what was also unusual about him was that he reformed his own religion from within the institutional Church rather than by breaking away from it. Mother Teresa’s life has many similarities to that of Francis.
Her path is also through poverty, simplicity and allowance to the teachings of Christ, and because of this she has been viewed as a progressive in the present fundamentalist framework of the patriarchal Church. Yet she preaches her love and peace on action in a world still lacking in strong female leaders and from one of the largest and poorest and most polluted cities in Asia.
—Mother Teresa,
A Simple Path
The lives of St. Francis and Mother Teresa remind us that true faith often looks like quiet defiance—defiance not through rebellion, but through radical obedience. They didn’t seek to tear institutions down; they sought to live so fully into the teachings of Jesus that even the Church had to pause and take notice. Their paths—marked by poverty, simplicity, and deep compassion—invite us to rethink what strength looks like. For those struggling with mental health or recovery, this is profoundly good news: you don’t need status, wealth, or even perfect clarity to live a life that matters. You need only a willingness to love, to serve, and to follow Jesus in the small, brave choices of each day. Let your life—imperfect and unfolding—become your own simple path of peace.
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics