All are welcome to join us for 'Sunday with Saint Francis of Assisi.' Each Sunday, we read and pray with one of the 'Little Flowers of Saint Francis', the beautiful series of legends and stories that reflect upon the life and times of the Poor Man from Assisi. This week, Saint Francis learns a lesson of humility through God's all-powerful voice and through the humble witness of Brother Bernard, his friend and first follower. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
The Little Flowers of Saint Francis:
III. An Angel of God Visits the First Friars
In the beginning, in the earliest days of the fellowship, when there were few brothers, and when their convents were not numerous, Saint Francis walked to the Cathedral of Saint James in Compostella, Spain. A small number of brothers, including Brother Bernard, traveled with him. As they walked along the pilgrim road, they encountered a poor man who was sick. With compassion, Francis said to Bernard: "My little son, I would like you to remain behind and to care for this sick man. Bernard dropped to his knees and accepted the saint's blessing with obedience.
The rest of company of pilgrims arrived in Compostella and went to the cathedral. Saint Francis prayed there throughout the night, where it was revealed to him that his followers would increase in numbers throughout the world and that the fellowship would take possession of many houses to accommodate many new friars.
Afterwards, Saint Francis began to journey home along the same road. He found Brother Bernard and the sick man, who was now healed and healthy. Francis joyfully granted permission for Bernard to travel to Compostella during the next year. And so, Saint Francis returned to the Spoleto Valley and retreated to a hermitage. Brother Masseo and Brother Elias went with him, but took care not to distract the saint from his prayer because they knew that God revealed many things to him in prayer.
It happened one day that a fair youth dressed as a pilgrim knocked anxiously on the door of the hermitage. Brother Masseo went to the door and said: "My little son, where are you from and why do you knock so loudly? It is not the custom here!" The youth replied: "How should I knock?" Brother Masseo said: "Knock three times with a brief pause between each knock. Then wait for a brother to answer with the Lord's Prayer." The youth anxiously responded: "I knocked loudly because I travel with great haste! I have traveled a long way to speak with Brother Francis!" When he learned that Francis was not there, but away praying in the woods, the youth said: "Please ask Brother Elias to speak with me. I know that he is very learned and wise. And I must ask a question."
Brother Elias was annoyed by the young man's manner, so he did not want to speak with him. Brother Masseo did not know what to do next. He could not say that Brother Elias was not there because that would be a lie. And if he said that Brother Elias was annoyed and would not come, he feared betraying a bad example to the young man. At this point, while Brother Masseo was discerning what to do, the youth knocked again and again. Brother Masseo said: "You have not observed the lesson in knocking." The youth replied: "I know that Brother Elias does not want to speak with me. Please find Brother Francis and plead with him to tell Brother Elias to answer my question."
Brother Masseo found Francis with his eyes and hands raised in prayer toward the heavens. He disturbed his prayer, gave him the message from the young man, and told him about this difficult situation. Without altering his prayerful position, Francis responded: "Tell Brother Elias to speak with this young man under obedience." Upon receiving his obedience, Brother Elias went to the door with much annoyance and said curtly: "What do you want?" The youth said: "Brother, be not disturbed. Anger troubles the soul. It prevents the soul from perceiving the truth." Once again, Brother Elias said: "What do you want?" The youth replied: "Is it lawful for followers of the Holy Gospel to eat whatever is place before them as Christ told his disciples?" But Brother Elias only laughed and said: "I know the answer, but I will not answer you. Go away." Brother Elias slammed the door in anger and left.
Afterwards, Brother Elias began to think about this question. He doubted himself and could not resolve his doubts. Elias knew well that he was vicar of the order and had written a constitution for it that went beyond the Gospel and beyond the Rule of Saint Francis. His constitution prohibited the brothers from eating meat. And he knew that the youth's question was aimed at him. So instead of answering the question, he responded in anger. Brother Elias understood now that the youth was an Angel of God. Elias rushed back to the door, but the angelic youth had departed. Elias also understood that he was not worthy to speak with an angel.
God had revealed all of this to Saint Francis in prayer. He approached Brother Elias and said angrily: "Badly done! You are guilty of pride! You have driven away a holy angel who was sent here to teach us. I fear that your pride will lead you to end your days outside of this fellowship of holy men." Eventually, this prediction proved true. Elias died outside of the order.
At the same hour that the angel departed the hermitage, he appeared in the same form to Brother Bernard, who was returning from his pilgrimage to Compostella. The angel saluted the brother beside a river and said: "Hello, good brother! May the Lord give you peace!" Bernard marveled at the sight and joyful countenance of the youth. He asked him: "Where are you from?" The angelic youth replied: "I have just come from the hermitage of Brother Francis. I went there to speak with him, but I could not because he was contemplating divine matters. I did not wish to disturb him. I spoke instead to Brother Masseo and Brother Elias. Brother Masseo taught me how to knock humbly on a door like your other brothers. However, Brother Elias refused to answer a question. He repented and wished to see me, but he could not." After these words, the angel said: "Why do you not continue your journey?" Bernard responded: "I fear the danger of the river's rushing waters." The angel replied: "Do not be afraid! Come! Let us cross together!"
In the twinkling of an eye, the angel took the brother's hand and brought him safely across the river. Brother Bernard now knew for sure that the young man was an angel. With loud voice and great joy, Brother Bernard exclaimed: "Blessed Angel of God, what is your name?" The angel replied: "Why do you ask my name which is clearly Miraculous?" And then, the angel disappeared. Brother Bernard was greatly consoled. He noted the day and the hour, hastened back to the hermitage, and told his story to the brothers. All knew that at that same day and at that same hour, that same angel had appeared to all of them!
Today's Prayers
For our families & friends, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our parish communities, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our Pope-Emeritus, Benedict XVI, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our departed brothers & sisters in faith, we pray: Hail Mary...
For the Catholic Church throughout the world, we pray: Hail Mary...
For peace & justice throughout the whole world, we pray: Hail Mary...
Our Father...
Almighty God and Father,
you summarized the whole law
as love of you and love of neighbor.
By keeping this great commandment of love,
help us achieve salvation and eternal life.
as love of you and love of neighbor.
By keeping this great commandment of love,
help us achieve salvation and eternal life.
We make this prayer through Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Amen.
Saint Francis, pray for us!
Saint Clare, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us!
Holy Men & Women of Assisi, pray for us!
Liturgy of the Hours
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time;
Sunday, Week I of the Psalter.
Today's reading is from 'The Little Flowers of Saint Francis.'
Today's prayer is adapted from the Liturgy of the Hours.
If you would like to learn more about the Assisi Project and opportunities for faith formation, prayer, pilgrimage, retreat, and spiritual direction in the Franciscan spiritual tradition, please contact Cliff Garvey at assisiproject@ymail.com. Pax et bonum! May the Lord give you peace!
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NEW!
ASSISI PROJECT WEEKEND RETREAT
CHRISTMAS WITH SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
December 13-December 15, 2013
The Assisi Project is an adult faith formation and retreat ministry that is dedicated to helping adults live the gospel in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. Each month, we gather for Mass, a community supper, and a period of prayerful discussion and faith sharing. Although we are not affiliated with any Franciscan community, the Assisi Project looks to Saint Francis and Saint Clare for inspiration and intercession. Working and praying together, we strive to live more simply, to pray more deeply, and to strengthen our fellowship with Christ Jesus and with one another.
Each year, we sponsor a pilgrimage, a weekend retreat, and various days of prayer and reflection. This year, we are planning a weekend retreat at the Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in Andover, Massachusetts from Friday evening, December 13th through Sunday afternoon, December 15th. Scheduled to coincide with the Third Sunday of Advent (or Gaudete Sunday), our retreat is entitled "Christmas with Saint Francis of Assisi" and will focus on preparing retreatants to participate more fully in the joy of our Savior's incarnation at Christmas.
The cost is $250 per person which includes two overnight accommodations; three meals on Saturday; two meals on Sunday; coffee, tea, and snacks throughout the weekend; and a guided retreat experience on beautiful lakefront campus. If you would like to join us for this unique and very special weekend of prayer and fellowship, please contact Cliff Garvey at assisiproject@ymail.com. Space is limited! Please join us! May the Lord give you peace!
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NEW!
PILGRIMAGE 2014
SAINTS & SHRINES OF ITALY
July 7-July 17, 2014
All are welcome to join the Assisi Project and Collette Vacations for Pilgrimage 2014: Saints & Shrines of Italy from July 7, 2014 through July 17, 2014. During this eleven day pilgrimage, we will visit some of Christendom's best-loved and holiest sites where we will literally walk in the footsteps of the saints.
Along with a professional tour manager and local guides, we will spend four nights in the 'Eternal City' of Rome and we will tour Vatican City (including Saint Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums). In addition, we will visit the Catacombs and Rome's three other major basilicas: Saint John Lateran, Saint Mary Major, and Saint Paul Outside the Walls. There also will be free time to explore Rome and Vatican City at your own pace.
After Rome, our pilgrimage will take us to Montecassino, the sixth century monastery founded by Saint Benedict, which houses his relics and those of his sister, Saint Scholastica. Our travels will also take us to Pompeii, where we will visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary, one of the world's most famous Christian shrines; and to Monte San Angelo, where we will visit the ancient Grotto of Saint Michael the Archangel. Next, we will travel to San Giovanni Rotondo, where we will venerate the relics of Saint Padre Pio and see the confessional where the saint spent countless hours directing pilgrims on their journey toward God.
After San Giovanni Rotondo, our pilgrimage will lead us to the Adriatic Coast and Loretto, where we will visit the Holy House of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Tradition holds that the house was carried by angels from Nazareth to Loretto. We will visit the beautiful shrine of Our Lady of Loretto, where more than fifty popes have made pilgrimages of prayer. Next, we will travel to Assisi, where we will walk in the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. While in Assisi, we will pray at their tombs and in the basilicas built in their honor, view their relics, and bask in the Umbrian sunshine as the saints did more than eight centuries ago. We will also visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, which houses the Porziuncola, the little chapel which is considered the home church of the worldwide Franciscan community. For those who are interested, there's also an optional full-day excursion to Florence (available at an additional cost).
Space is limited! Book now and save $250. Until December 9, 2013, the cost of this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage opportunity is $3,669 (Triple); $3,699 (Double); and $4,099 (Single). These prices include: all air and ground transportation (from Boston's Logan Airport only); ten night hotel accommodations; fifteen meals (nine breakfasts and six dinners), and all air taxes, fees, surcharges, and hotel transfers. These prices do not include recommended travel insurance ($230 per person). For more information, please contact Cliff Garvey at assisiproject@ymail.com or click here. Please join us on pilgrimage! May the Lord give you peace!
