Today's Saint of the Day founded the first community of Franciscan women other than Poor Clares to receive papal approval. ⛪
Hello John,
Reading today’s newsletter reminds me that nothing is impossible with God. God breaks through using unexpected people and situations to reveal the truth. In this case, a dogma of the Catholic faith: the Immaculate Conception of Mary. God often uses people we consider little, forgotten, or marginalized to humble and remind us that all people can be instruments of love. As we go about our busy day, let us be God’s instruments and offer a prayer or a helping hand for someone who needs a little support. Will you prayerfully consider supporting the friars to share this newsletter with more people? Donate today at https://www.franciscanmedia.org/newsletter. |
Saint of the Day for June 4: Blessed Angelina of Marsciano Blessed Angeline of Marsciano’s Story Blessed Angeline founded the first community of Franciscan women other than Poor Clares to receive papal approval. Angeline was born to the Duke of Marsciano near Orvieto. She was 12 when her mother died. Three years later, the young woman made a vow of perpetual chastity. That same year, however, she yielded to her father’s decision that she marry the Duke of Civitella. Her husband agreed to respect her previous vow. When he died two years later, Angeline joined the Secular Franciscans and with several other women dedicated herself to caring for the sick, the poor, widows and orphans. When many other young women were attracted to Angeline’s community, some people accused her of condemning the married vocation. Legend has it that when she came before the King of Naples to answer these charges, she had burning coals hidden in the folds of her cloak. When she proclaimed her innocence and showed the king that these coals had not harmed her, he dropped the case. Angeline and her companions later went to Foligno, where her community of Third Order sisters received papal approval in 1397. She soon established 15 similar communities of women in other Italian cities. Angeline died on July 14, 1435, and was beatified in 1825. Her liturgical feast is celebrated on July 13. Reflection Priests, sisters and brothers cannot be signs of God’s love for the human family if they belittle the vocation of marriage. Angeline respected marriage, but felt called to another way of living out the gospel. Her choice was life-giving in its own way.
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A Franciscan classic by one of today's top spiritual teachers, Ilia Delio! The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective. |
Heirs to the Tradition While St. Francis and St. Clare provided the building blocks for their movement, it was the women and men who followed them—Anthony of Padua, Bernard of Quintavalle, Agnes of Assisi, to name but a few—who put their vision into motion. It is our job to keep that work going as heirs to the tradition. And though we may never have the skills to enrapture man or beast with our mastery of Scripture, perhaps the best thing we can do is to pray for St. Anthony of Padua to help us find the right words. —from St. Anthony Messenger‘s “Anthony Is a Saint Second to Nobody”
by Christopher Heffron |
Follow St. Francis and St. Clare and be transformed by the humility of God in this Franciscan Classic by Ilia Delio! The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective. |
The Wisdom of Age Reflect Our elders have important wisdom to offer us, but many are suffering as well. Let us pray for the elderly people we know, that we may receive their gifts and alleviate their burdens. Pray O God Eternal,
may my ears listen to the wisdom of my elders,
and may my arms uphold them
in their times of grief or pain.
I recognize the holiness of a long life
and pray a blessing of peace
and a community of love
for all those older than myself.
Amen. Act Reach out to an older person today through a visit or phone call, and ask thoughtful questions about all they have learned in this life. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Shannon K. Evans. Learn more here! |
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