Our Saint of the Day desired to be a Carmelite nun at an early age. 😇
Hello John,
Embracing Franciscan life surpasses mere habits and symbols; it represents a conscious decision to envelop all creation with care. St. Francis, our serene mentor, understood that prayer was not simply a ceremony but a cadence of life—a mode of existence. May the spirit of St. Francis lead you, and may your existence be a living homage—a reflection of the infinite love that emanates from within you and extends outward. Today, I invite you to join us in living our ministry of the Word by making a donation to Franciscan Media. Your contribution helps us produce high-quality content, fostering spiritual growth, and reaching even more people with the message of God's love and mercy. Donate today! |
Saint of the Day for June 10: Joachima
Saint Joachima’s Story
Born into an aristocratic family in Barcelona, Spain, Joachima was 12 when she expressed a desire to become a Carmelite nun. But her life took an altogether different turn at 16 with her marriage to a young lawyer, Theodore de Mas. Both deeply devout, they became secular Franciscans. During their 17 years of married life they raised eight children. The normalcy of their family life was interrupted when Napoleon invaded Spain. Joachima had to flee with the children; Theodore remained behind and died. Though Joachima re-experienced a desire to enter a religious community, she attended to her duties as a mother. At the same time, the young widow led a life of austerity and chose to wear the habit of the Third Order of St. Francis as her ordinary dress. She spent much time in prayer and visiting the sick. Four years later, with some of her children now married and younger ones under their care, Joachima confessed her desire to a priest to join a religious order. With his encouragement, she established the Carmelite Sisters of Charity. In the midst of the fratricidal wars occurring at the time, Joachima was briefly imprisoned and later exiled to France for several years. Sickness ultimately compelled her to resign as superior of her order. Over the next four years she slowly succumbed to paralysis, which caused her to die by inches. At her death in 1854 at the age of 71, Joachima was known and admired for her high degree of prayer, deep trust in God, and selfless charity. Joachima was beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1940, and canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1959. Her liturgical feast is celebrated on August 28. Reflection Joachima understands loss. She lost the home where her children grew up, her husband, and finally her health. As the power to move and care for her own needs slowly ebbed away, this woman who had all her life cared for others became wholly dependent; she required help with life’s simplest tasks. When our own lives go spinning out of control, when illness and bereavement and financial hardship strike, all we can do is cling to the belief that sustained Joachima: God watches over us always.
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For more than 130 years, St. Anthony Messenger magazine has been helping its readers become more joyful, loving peacemakers by exploring many of the issues that are facing the Church and the world today, through a Franciscan lens. |
Open Your Heart to Grace Jesus is with us now and assures us he will not leave us orphans. “I go and prepare a place for you…that where I am you also may be” (John 14:3). Our human gatherings can be marred by misunderstandings or hurts. But in heaven we will have been purified of anger, envy, selfishness—all that keeps us from loving and being loved. St. Bonaventure urges us to desire heaven, to long to be with God because that opens our hearts wider and helps us keep our final destination in focus. As the psalmist begins, “The Lord is my light and salvation; whom should I fear?” —from St. Anthony Messenger‘s “Psalm 27: Itinerary Flexible, Destination Clear“
by Jeremy Harrington, OFM |
Discover this Franciscan classic by one of today's top spiritual teachers, Ilia Delio! The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective. |
Lord, Disarm Me Reflect Many states have conceal-carry options. I could already cause havoc with attitudes I conceal but carry. Pray Loving God
of heaven and earth,
I can conceal nothing
from you.
You carry me
in your loving arms
so I can venture out
without arms myself.
I beg you to disarm me
of my harsh judgments,
my sense of entitlement,
my short fuse.
Protect me.
Shield me.
Calm me.
Let me be a powerful force
for peace. Act I choose to carry only love today. I will disarm others with a greeting, a nod, or a sign of recognition. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Carol Ann Morrow. Learn more here! |
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