As we prayed today, “Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, today we rejoice in the holy men and women of every time and place. May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and Holy Spirit, one God, for ever […]
What is Perfect Joy?
Raise your hand if you would like to have Perfect Joy. (raising mine…) Life gives us opportunities for Perfect Joy almost daily, however these opportunities, or conditions, may not be what we think. Do we recognize them as gifts…opportunities for Perfect Joy? The following is an excerpt from The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi: Once when walking […]
Ongoing Conversion
Why is the SFO called ‘Secular’?
The early lay followers of St. Francis were probably known as the Order of Penance. That title expressed a conversion of life on the part of its members. Like Francis of Assisi, the members of the Order of Penance tried to carry the spirit of the gospel into their daily lives in the midst of […]
St. Francis and the Sultan
In 1219, St. Francis went to Egypt in an attempt to convert the Sultan. This podcast explores some aspects of this encounter and how the meeting of St. Francis and the Sultan can serve as a model of peace and brotherhood. Listen here: When St. Francis crossed enemy lines to meet the Sultan Malek el-Kamil during […]