April 23, 2024

Hello John,

We are thrilled to announce two special events in May dedicated to celebrating Mary and the rosary.

First, we invite you to further your spiritual and prayer journey by joining us throughout the month of May for Praying the Rosary. By participating, you will receive an email every morning, with a video to guide you. Click here to learn more: Praying the Rosary.

Second, we invite you to join us for a LIVE event happening on our Facebook page May 1st, featuring the artist and authors behind Universal Mother: A Journal for Finding Yourself in Mary. The authors will be discussing the book and the connection with Mother Mary, just in time for Mother's Day!

We hope you can join us for both of these special events!

With profound gratitude,

Tara Hemelgarn
Marketing Manager

Saint of the Day for April 23: George

(c. 280 – April 23, 303)

Saint George’s Story

Saint George is the object of a vast amount of imagination. There is every reason to believe that he was a real martyr who suffered at Lydda in Palestine, probably before the time of Constantine. The Church adheres to his memory, but not to the legends surrounding his life. That he was willing to pay the supreme price to follow Christ is what the Church believes. And it is enough.

The story of George’s slaying the dragon, rescuing the king’s daughter, and converting Libya is a 12th-century Italian fable. George was a favorite patron saint of crusaders, as well as of Eastern soldiers in earlier times. He is a patron saint of England, Portugal, Germany, Aragon, Catalonia, Genoa, Milan and Bologna.

Reflection

Human nature seems to crave more than cold historical data. Americans have Washington and Lincoln, but we somehow need Paul Bunyan, too. The life of Saint Francis of Assisi is inspiring enough, but for centuries the Italians have found his spirit in the legends of the Fioretti, too. Santa Claus is the popular extension of the spirit of Saint Nicholas. The legends about Saint George are part of this yearning. Both fact and legend are human ways of illumining the mysterious truth about the One who alone is holy.

Saint George is the Patron Saint of:

Boy Scouts
England
Germany
Portugal
Soldiers

Save the Date for this Live Event,

just in time for Mother's Day!

Author and artist Holly Schapker, along with author and art historian Cecelia Dorger, will be discussing their newly released book: Universal Mother - A Journal for Finding Yourself in Mary, moderated by Maureen O'Brien.

It's happening LIVE on our Facebook page on Wednesday, May 1st, at 12:30 PM Eastern Standard time.

Longing for God

It is our Christian belief that when Christ, the Incarnate Word, came to dwell among us, we entered a whole new era of God’s saving presence in our world. It’s a presence that no longer relies on a visible Temple. Referring to Christ’s birth and quoting from Isaiah, Matthew refers to Jesus’ name as “‘Emmanuel,’ which means ‘God is with us’” (Matthew 1:23). At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, moreover, the risen Jesus tells his disciples: “And behold, I am with you always until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

We also believe that through the Eucharist and other sacraments God’s presence among us is celebrated and nurtured. And our great longing is satisfied. We think of Jesus’ words: “Remain in me as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me” (John 15:4).

—from St. Anthony Messenger‘s “Psalm 42: Longing for You, O God“
by Jack Wintz, OFM

Continue your spiritual and prayerful journey by joining us in

Praying the Rosary for the

Month of May.

Creation Itself as Cathedral

Reflect

Richard Rohr, OFM, writes, “Creation itself—not ritual or spaces constructed by human hands—was Francis’ primary cathedral.” What comes to mind as you consider these words? What aspects of your life do you think of?

Pray

Today, I will view my world through the lens of this word: cathedral.
How extraordinary to see the holiness here,
no matter my landscape.
Summer’s end shines with pink and teal sunlight on wings—
this sudden stained glass dragonfly.

Act

Today, let yourself be even more deeply appreciative of the natural world around you. Breathe in the spirit of St. Francis.

Today's Pause+Pray was written by Maureen O'Brien. Learn more here!

This newsletter is not free to produce! Please consider making a donation to help us in our efforts to share God's love in the spirit of Saint Francis.

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