October 4, 2010
Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, religious
Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:10-12
He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:27-29
Piety
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Study
Once you have been to Assisi, it is hard not to recall the visit when the feast of St. Francis comes around on the liturgical calendar. For me, the visit came on Good Friday, 2008. After an early morning train ride from Firenza, we connected with a bus that took us to the top of the hill and proceeded to work our way down.
Through narrow stone paths and ancient roads and alleys used by generations, past churches, shops and cafes. The first big stop came at the Cathedral of St. Claire, Francis’ sister. Inside is the actual cross of San Damiano. It was while gazing upon this that Francis heard the Lord command him to rebuild the church. At this stage in his life, he took the Lord literally and embarked on the task of physically rebuilding the church in his village.
Later, Francis realized that the Lord wanted him to rebuild the church spiritually. Then he founded the order known to us now as Franciscans. At the bottom of the hill in Assisi sits the massive structure erected to honor the hometown saint.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lighthousekeeper/5049494994/
The Upper Basilica is the modern portion rebuilt after a terrible earthquake in the 1990s. The Lower Basilica leads pilgrims to the stairs descending to the crypt church where Francis lies at the papal altar. In 1934 four of his most faithful brothers were entombed in the corners of the wall around the altar: Rufino, Angelo, Masseo and Leone now make up a perpetual group reunion.
Not only was a pilgrimage to this holy ground an important mystical experience in my life, but upon leaving the crypt church that afternoon, around 3 p.m., the skies darkened and the rains and winds began reminding us of the mystery we marked that Good Friday.
Action
A modern member of the Order of Friars Minor will be speaking in Washington, DC later this month. To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Franciscan Missionary Service, Rev. Richard Rohr, OFM, will be the keynote speaker at the anniversary dinner. Fr. Rohr founded the Center for Action and Contemplation and is an author and speaker internationally known for his powerful and inspirational messages.
http://www.franciscanmissionservice.org/20th_anniversarymain.aspx
Consider attending this special celebration that carries on the work of the saint whom we remember today. If you can not be there, consider sending your prayers and financial support to the Franciscan Missionary Service which are helping to rebuild the church in modern society like Francis did in his day.
Go and do likewise.
Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, religious
Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:10-12
He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:27-29
Piety
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Study
Once you have been to Assisi, it is hard not to recall the visit when the feast of St. Francis comes around on the liturgical calendar. For me, the visit came on Good Friday, 2008. After an early morning train ride from Firenza, we connected with a bus that took us to the top of the hill and proceeded to work our way down.
Through narrow stone paths and ancient roads and alleys used by generations, past churches, shops and cafes. The first big stop came at the Cathedral of St. Claire, Francis’ sister. Inside is the actual cross of San Damiano. It was while gazing upon this that Francis heard the Lord command him to rebuild the church. At this stage in his life, he took the Lord literally and embarked on the task of physically rebuilding the church in his village.
Later, Francis realized that the Lord wanted him to rebuild the church spiritually. Then he founded the order known to us now as Franciscans. At the bottom of the hill in Assisi sits the massive structure erected to honor the hometown saint.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lighthousekeeper/5049494994/
The Upper Basilica is the modern portion rebuilt after a terrible earthquake in the 1990s. The Lower Basilica leads pilgrims to the stairs descending to the crypt church where Francis lies at the papal altar. In 1934 four of his most faithful brothers were entombed in the corners of the wall around the altar: Rufino, Angelo, Masseo and Leone now make up a perpetual group reunion.
Not only was a pilgrimage to this holy ground an important mystical experience in my life, but upon leaving the crypt church that afternoon, around 3 p.m., the skies darkened and the rains and winds began reminding us of the mystery we marked that Good Friday.
Action
A modern member of the Order of Friars Minor will be speaking in Washington, DC later this month. To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Franciscan Missionary Service, Rev. Richard Rohr, OFM, will be the keynote speaker at the anniversary dinner. Fr. Rohr founded the Center for Action and Contemplation and is an author and speaker internationally known for his powerful and inspirational messages.
http://www.franciscanmissionservice.org/20th_anniversarymain.aspx
Consider attending this special celebration that carries on the work of the saint whom we remember today. If you can not be there, consider sending your prayers and financial support to the Franciscan Missionary Service which are helping to rebuild the church in modern society like Francis did in his day.
Go and do likewise.
