Erik Erickson's psychosocial theory of human development in the life of Saint Francis of Assisi

• Main Author: Bautista, Gervic C.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2007
• Subjects: Erik H. Erikson, (Erik Homburger), 1902-1994; Francis, of Assisi, Saint, 1182-1226; Psychology; Religion
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6989
• Institution: De La Salle University

A saint is an exemplar in translating into action the tenets of the Christian faith. In the Catholic educational atmosphere, the patron saint of a learning institution provides the ideals for its vision-mission statement, curriculum and policies that govern the conduct of its personnel and students. Lourdes School, Quezon City reveres Saint Francis of Assisi as its model in the practice of Christian values which are embedded in the Gospels. However, the conventional knowledge of the Assisi Holy Man depicted him as mostly spiritual and insulated from human affairs. Francis can be a deeply pertinent icon of moral and interpersonal wellness in the present times by a holistic appraisal of his life. This research analyzed his persona utilizing the principles of Erik Erikson in the Psychosocial Theory of human development. Using the historical method’s documentary analysis and interview, the study presented the psychosocial life stages that Francis could have undergone and the important insights about him as a person. There are indications from the primary life accounts of Francis that portrayed him as having experienced the levels of Eriksonian maturational process. The limited but notable details of his childhood showed Pica, his mother as the source of his trustful bearing and gentleness in later years. As an adolescent. Francis was confronted with role experimentation and identification. His early and middle adulthood projected him as loyal to the social institutions of feudal Europe. The interviewees on Franciscanism considered joyfulness, minority, fraternalism, tenacity and humility as the principal attributes of the Poverello that are applicable in the home and workplace context. Recommendations from the study will function as pointers in the formulation of a holistic employees’ formation program for Lourdes School. Strengthening the teachers’ parental traits, responsible camaraderie, servant-leadership and accountability for one’s actions in the family and professional community are the proposed features of the Lourdesian personnels’ professional and spiritual development program which is yet to be completed.