All are welcome to join us in reading and praying with 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. In this post, we read about how Saint Francis prayed and fasted for forty days and forty nights at the Lake of Perugia; and about how he protected himself against the sin of pride. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us!
The Little Flowers of Saint Francis:
VI. Lent at the Lake of Perugia
As a true servant of the Lord, Saint Francis was almost like another Christ, given to the world for the salvation of souls. In so many ways, God willed that the saint's actions should be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus, his son. We see God's will at work in Saint Francis through the example of his first twelve companions, the miraculous mystery of his sacred stigmata, and the story of his long fast during Lent at the Lake of Perugia.
It happened this way: Saint Francis traveled to a friend's house, which was located near the Lake of Perugia. At this house, God inspired him to spend the Lenten season on a small island in the lake. Saint Francis prayed that his friend would take him in secrecy to the uninhabited island on Ash Wednesday. Out of great love for the saint, this friend and follower, unknown to history, carried him to the island. When they arrived, Francis begged his friend not to return until Holy Thursday and to keep his secret. So pledged, the man departed the island. Francis was now alone with God. He brought only two small loaves of bread. And since there was no shelter on the island, he retreated into a deep thicket, formed for himself a little hut, and devoted himself to the contemplation of heavenly things.
Francis remained alone with God on the island for the forty days and forty nights of Lent. He ate and drank nothing, except for one-half of one of the small loaves. Upon his return to the island on Holy Thursday, the friend confirmed this truth by finding both loaves of bread: one entire loaf and one-half of another. Saint Francis admitted to his friend that he fasted out of humble reverence for the blessed Christ, who fasted for forty days and forty nights without food of any kind. However, Francis ate one-half of one one loaf of bread to keep himself from the poison of pride which is so common among those who claim to follow Christ.
Afterwards, on this small island where Saint Francis fasted and prayed, God granted many miracles. People began to inhabit the island, to build houses, and to create a community of faith that included a house for the friars. This humble dwelling was called the "House of the Island." Even now, all who live on this sacred island are strong in their faith. They have great reverence for Saint Francis and for the deep thicket where he fasted and prayed as his savior once fasted and prayed for forty days and forty nights. Amen!
Our Daily 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,
open our hearts to your grace.
Let it go before us and be with us,
so that we may make every effort to do your will.
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!
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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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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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!
