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, … Continue reading
The Transitus
The Transitus is a Franciscan devotion to ritually remember the passing of Saint Francis from this life into God. This ritual takes place each year, with Franciscans around the world on the evening of October 3rd. (Feast Day is October … Continue reading
Feast of St. Francis
Next week, on October 4th, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Francis. Francis astounded and inspired the Church eight centuries ago by living the gospel literally. Literally not in a narrow fundamentalist sense, but by actually attempting to follow … Continue reading
The Stigmata of St. Francis
The Chapel of the Stigmata is perched on the edge of the same sheer precipice where St. Francis stood two years before his death and where he was swept up into the mystery of God’s overwhelming love for him and … Continue reading
Happy feast of St. Clare
Last year, throughout the world in 2012, the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Poor Clares was celebrated. The simple life of St. Clare, who lived in a small place outside Assisi’s medieval walls, still speaks to us. Why? … Continue reading