Dear John, When January rolls around, I often try to meditate on the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Today I am reminded of the moment when . . . Francis bore the wounds of Christ. In September 1224, while praying on Mount La Verna, Francis received the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ. And though physical pain and sickness could rattle even a saint’s foundation, he found this affliction a blessing because it brought him closer to Jesus. In the Life of St. Francis, Bonaventure wrote: “Francis was overwhelmed and his whole body was flooded with a mixture of joy and sorrow. He rejoiced because of the gracious way Christ looked upon him, but the fact that he was fastened to a cross pierced his soul with a sword of compassionate sorrow.” While an event like this might seem like a horror story to those of us in this century, Francis saw his affliction as a way to mirror his Savior. In smaller measures, we at Franciscan Media try to reflect the Gospel. It’s that simple—and it’s that challenging. Will you consider sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, Mary, and the saints through Franciscan Media? To do so, click here to donate.
Peace and all good!
Christopher Heffron
Editorial Director |
Saint of the Day for January 24:
Francis de Sales (August 21, 1567 – December 28, 1622) Listen to Saint Francis de Sales’ Story Here Francis was destined by his father to be a lawyer so that the young man could eventually take his elder’s place as a senator from the province of Savoy in France. For this reason Francis was sent to Padua to study law. After receiving his doctorate, he returned home and, in due time, told his parents he wished to enter the priesthood. His father strongly opposed Francis in this, and only after much patient persuasiveness on the part of the gentle Francis did his father finally consent. Francis was ordained and elected provost of the Diocese of Geneva, then a center for the Calvinists. Francis set out to convert them, especially in the district of Chablais. By preaching and distributing the little pamphlets he wrote to explain true Catholic doctrine, he had remarkable success. At 35, he became bishop of Geneva. While administering his diocese he continued to preach, hear confessions, and catechize the children. His gentle character was a great asset in winning souls. He practiced his own axiom, “A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.” Besides his two well-known books, the Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God, he wrote many pamphlets and carried on a vast correspondence. For his writings, he has been named patron of the Catholic Press. His writings, filled with his characteristic gentle spirit, are addressed to lay people. He wants to make them understand that they too are called to be saints. As he wrote in The Introduction to the Devout Life: “It is an error, or rather a heresy, to say devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a prince, or a married woman…. It has happened that many have lost perfection in the desert who had preserved it in the world.” In spite of his busy and comparatively short life, he had time to collaborate with another saint, Jane Frances de Chantal, in the work of establishing the Sisters of the Visitation. These women were to practice the virtues exemplified in Mary’s visit to Elizabeth: humility, piety, and mutual charity. They at first engaged to a limited degree in works of mercy for the poor and the sick. Today, while some communities conduct schools, others live a strictly contemplative life. Reflection Francis de Sales took seriously the words of Christ, “Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart.” As he said himself, it took him 20 years to conquer his quick temper, but no one ever suspected he had such a problem, so overflowing with good nature and kindness was his usual manner of acting. His perennial meekness and sunny disposition won for him the title of “Gentleman Saint.” Saint Francis de Sales is the Patron Saint of: Authors
Deafness
Journalists
Writers
|
The Word Dwells in Creation The life of Francis shows us that right relationship in creation is not easy. He heard the words spoken by the crucified Christ—“go rebuild my house”—and took them literally. He began to rebuild the church of San Damiano stone by stone. But as he reflected on these words, he came to understand a deeper meaning of them in his life. His devotion to Mary led him to realize that the “house of God” is, first, the human person. The Word dwells in human flesh, not in stone buildings. As the Word dwells in the human person, so too the same Word dwells in creation. The Word who is made flesh in the person of Jesus is the same Word through whom all things are made. Fish, water, trees, birds, air, wind, fire—all are created through the Word of God. What Francis heard, “go, rebuild my house” became much larger for him; it became the entire oikos. “Go, rebuild my oikos; as you see, it is all being destroyed.” The Incarnation of God opened up the eyes of Francis to the inner truth of creation as the very place where God is revealed—or concealed when humans fail to see God humbly present in the magnificent diversity of creation. —from the book Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth
by Keith Douglass Warner, OFM, Ilia Delio, OSF, and Pamela Wood |
Build a more personal relationship with God inspired by the spirit of Francis! Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis |
I Am Not in Control Reflect Cooperation is the awareness that I am not in control of my life. God has a plan for each and every one of us. Living in accordance with that plan means to cooperate with God—to be where he needs you to be at this very moment. Pray God of heaven and earth,
I recognize that my life isn’t mine.
You have given me all things, even life itself.
My life from you is a beautiful gift.
I pray for openness of mind,
especially in the midst of a challenge
and when you call me to things
upon which I struggle to surrender.
Your will be done, Lord, not mine.
I surrender to you.
Amen. Act Use a piece of paper to write a letter to God. Be authentic with the good, the bad, and the ugly. What do you feel in your heart that God is calling you to right now? Ask God to take control and cooperate with where ever that may lead. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Natalie Ryan. Learn more here! |
St. Francis told us to “begin again,” but first we need to rebuild the ruins in and around us. |
|
