My brother lived every day like it was a gift. And it was.
Dear Friend, Tomorrow would be my brother Bogdanâs birthday. Diagnosed with brain tumors at age 12, my family was told he wouldnât live past 20. He lived into his 60s. And more than that, he truly lived. He embraced every day as a gift, squeezed the joy out of small moments, and treated life like a sacred celebration. Jesus says in John 10:10, âI came that you may have life, and have it in abundance.â Not survival. Not mediocrity. Abundance.
At Franciscan Media, we want to help people live with that kind of abundanceâto notice Godâs gifts and live their faith with joy. Whether theyâre struggling or celebrating, we hope our content brings a little more life to their day. As St. Clare said, âWe become vessels of divine grace.â I invite you to help us continue filling others with that grace by becoming a monthly supporter. |
Ela Milewska Director, Franciscan Media |
Saint of the Day for June 20: Paulinus of Nola (354 â June 22, 431) Saint Paulinus of Nolaâs Story Here Anyone who is praised in the letters of six or seven saints undoubtedly must be of extraordinary character. Such a person was Paulinus of Nola, correspondent and friend of Saints Augustine, Jerome, Melania, Martin, Gregory and Ambrose. Born near Bordeaux, he was the son of the Roman prefect of Gaul, who had extensive property in both Gaul and Italy. Paulinus became a distinguished lawyer, holding several public offices in the Roman Empire. With his Spanish wife, Therasia, he retired at an early age to a life of cultured leisure. The two were baptized by the saintly bishop of Bordeaux and moved to Therasiaâs estate in Spain. After many childless years, they had a son who died a week after birth. This occasioned their beginning a life of great austerity and charity, giving away most of their Spanish property. Possibly as a result of this great example, Paulinus was rather unexpectedly ordained a priest at Christmas by the bishop of Barcelona. He and his wife then moved to Nola, near Naples. He had a great love for Saint Felix of Nola, and spent much effort in promoting devotion to this saint. Paulinus gave away most of his remaining propertyâto the consternation of his relativesâand continued his work for the poor. Supporting a host of debtors, the homeless and other needy people, he lived a monastic life in another part of his home. By popular demand he was made bishop of Nola and guided that diocese for 21 years. Paulinusâ last years were saddened by the invasion of the Huns. Among his few writings is the earliest extant Christian wedding song. His liturgical feast is celebrated on June 22. Reflection Many of us are tempted to âretireâ early in life, after an initial burst of energy. Devotion to Christ and his work is waiting to be done all around us. Paulinusâ life had scarcely begun when he thought it was over, as he took his ease on that estate in Spain. âMan proposes, but God disposes.â
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We Must Pursue God Thomas Merton said that what it means to be myself is to be my true self. And to borrow language from St. Francis of Assisi, what that means is to be who I am in the eyes of God. And so, what I am before God, that I am, and nothing less and nothing more. Who we are before God is all that matters. But in order to get to that identity, in order to recognize it, we have to pursue God. We canât know who we are before God by just living in our own world. âfrom Franciscan Mediaâs Off the Page
with host Stephen Copeland, featuring Daniel P. Horan, PhD |
Living Authentically Reflect Faustina Kowalska (1905â1938) was not the most popular woman in her community. Some regarded her as lazy; others, delusional. But she knew the only opinion that mattered was Godâs, and she pushed on to fulfill his desire that she spread the message of divine mercy to the world. Pray Saint Faustina,
I am a people pleaser.
Iâm uncomfortable
being the only person
in the room
who has a different view.
Show me
by your example
how to please
the only one who matters,
and become spiritually indifferent
to those who criticize me. Act Share the truth God has put on your soul, even if it results in shocked looks from people you love and respect. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Melanie Rigney. Learn more here! |
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