Padre Pio has words of wisdom in today's Minute Meditations! 🙌
Hello John, The Saint of the Day message today is powerful! Even though Casimir lived in Poland in the 1400s, his response to oppression gives me hope when I read about the political conflicts in this country and beyond. Today's Minute Meditations is also perfectly timed for our Lenten journey. Hi, I am Patty Crawford, director of marketing at Franciscan Media. As I continue to journey through Lent, I am reminded of the example set forth by Padre Pio and his words of incredible faith in today's reflection (below). I challenge you to read these powerful messages and contribute as you are able. Ensure these messages reach more people through your Lenten gift. Donate now to Franciscan Media. Your partnership and prayers provide hope! |
Patty Crawford
Director of Marketing |
Saint of the Day for March 4: Saint Casimir (1458 – 1483)
Saint Casimir’s Story Casimir, born of kings and in line to be a king himself, was filled with exceptional values and learning by a great teacher, John Dlugosz. Even his critics could not say that his conscientious objection indicated softness. As a teenager, Casimir lived a highly disciplined, even severe life, sleeping on the ground, spending a great part of the night in prayer and dedicating himself to lifelong celibacy. When nobles in Hungary became dissatisfied with their king, they prevailed upon Casimir’s father, the king of Poland, to send his son to take over the country. Casimir obeyed his father, as many young men over the centuries have obeyed their governments. The army he was supposed to lead was clearly outnumbered by the “enemy”; some of his troops were deserting because they were not paid. At the advice of his officers, Casimir decided to return home. His father was irked at the failure of his plans, and confined his 15-year-old son for three months. The lad made up his mind never again to become involved in the wars of his day, and no amount of persuasion could change his mind. He returned to prayer and study, maintaining his decision to remain celibate even under pressure to marry the emperor’s daughter. He reigned briefly as king of Poland during his father’s absence. He died of lung trouble at 25 while visiting Lithuania, of which he was also Grand Duke. He was buried in Vilnius, Lithuania. Reflection For many years, Poland and Lithuania faded into the gray prison on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Despite repression, the Poles and Lithuanians remained firm in the faith which has become synonymous with their name. Their youthful patron reminds us: Peace is not won by war; sometimes a comfortable peace is not even won by virtue, but Christ’s peace can penetrate every government repression of religion. Saint Casimir is the Patron Saint of: Lithuania
Poland
Russia |
In need of a Franciscan lift to your prayer life? Explore the legacy of Francis and Clare! Using the Canticle of the Creatures—St. Francis's love song to creation—as a framework, Murray Bodo, OFM, and Susan Saint Sing guide readers on a journey of prayer and healing through the spirituality of Saints Francis and Clare in this powerful new book! |
Dying to Self Padre Pio’s letter to Raffaelina Cerase, 1914: Baptism is said to be a copy of the death of Jesus. St. Paul says we are baptized “into his death” [Romans 6:3], in imitation of the death of our Redeemer. What the cross was to Jesus, then, baptism is for us. Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross to die in his flesh. We are baptized to die to sin, to die to ourselves. On the cross Jesus Christ had all his senses put to death, so we through baptism should carry the death of Jesus in all our senses. This is precisely what St. Paul says in his second letter to the faithful in Corinth: “[We are] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies” [2 Corinthians 4:10]. —from the book Padre Pio’s Spiritual Direction for Every Day by Gianluigi Pasquale and Marsha Daigle-Williamson, Ph.D |
Find Rest Reflect Lent is not a marathon. It is not a competition to see who can hold out the longest on their Lenten sacrifice. It is not a race of who can do the most Lenten devotionals. We can rest in Lent. We can find Christ in the stillness of that rest. Try to not let this Lent be a checklist of what you must do, but rather a season of stillness when you make your own journey to the foot of the cross. Pray God of rest,
You know what true stillness is, and you beckon our hearts to it.
May we know rest this Lenten season,
May we know that Christ lives with us in the stillness.
With every breath, beckon us to come and rest.
Amen. Act Take an evening this week and simply allow yourself to be still. Whether that is in your room, on a walk, or on a drive, sit and let that stillness live and breathe in you. Allow it to ground you as you prepare to journey to the cross to encounter the promise of the Resurrection story. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Vanessa Zuleta Goldberg, OFM. Learn more here! |
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