Franciscans have a long-established custom of referring to “Sister Death.” Yet Francis did not speak of Sister Death in the Canticle. Writing in his Umbrian vernacular, he was quite intentional in naming this sister he was soon to meet: “Laudato si, mi Signore, per sora nostra Morte corporale.” He speaks of Sister Bodily Death.
A proclamation that is received anew in your hearing this morning. Not so much about a church in Rome, but about the Church, our Church, your Church, and the proclamation and witness to the Kingdom of God to this very day.
As a young mom, I often felt overwhelmed with the myriads of daily tasks … everyday responsibilities that seemed to squelch my ability to connect my deepening faith with real life. I felt alone and detached from any understanding of what the priest meant about being Eucharist in the world!
The first time I heard about Father Louis Vitale, OFM, was when he joined the protests at Fort Benning’s infamous School of the Americas.
We contemplate our experience within God’s loving gaze, which shines over every moment of every day. In the warmth of that loving gaze, God takes a long, loving look at us.
Living humbly is being in right relationship with God, from whom comes all good, knowing our dependence on God’s mercy.
What do St. Francis of Assisi and Viktor Frankl, famous psychologist and survivor of four World War II concentration camps, have in common? They both realized that suffering could provide purpose and meaning in our lives. As Francis said in the Canticle and Frankl said in his book Man’s Search for Meaning, when we approach suffering with a meaningful response, we affirm our humanity and our capacity for spiritual growth.
Accessibility Committee members will share experiences and guidance as professed seculars on the benefits of accommodating their and others’ OFS journeys.
Let us integrate our hearts into the heart of Jesus; praying always, until our heart becomes Godlike.
Last May, JPIC animators from around the US gathered at Holy Cross Retreat Center near Las Cruces, NM, to pray, to learn, to build, and to renew connections and commitment. Fr. Ignatius Harding, OFM, (who prefers to be called Br. Iggy) served as our spiritual assistant.