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, read about how Saint Francis blessed Brother Bernard, his 'first-born son' and about how Brother Bernard joyfully passed into 'the blessed life of the angels.' Saint Francis, pray for us! All holy men and women of Assisi, pray for us!
The Little Flowers of Saint Francis:
V. Brother Bernard's Joyful Passing
Brother Bernard was so humble and holy that Saint Francis regarded him with reverence and praised him often. One day, while Saint Francis was praying, God revealed Brother Bernard would soon suffer many combats with demons and temptations. Saint Francis, who loved Bernard like a son, cried many tears, offered many prayers, and entrusted him to Christ's care so that he might be victorious in these upcoming spiritual battles. As Saint Francis prayed, God answered him: "Francis, do not be afraid! All of these demons and temptations are allowed so that Brother Bernard may be crowned with spiritual merit and virtue. Bernard will defeat these enemies because he among those destined for the Kingdom of Heaven!" Francis rejoiced, offered God his humble praise and thanks, and loved him more than ever for the rest of his life.
Indeed, as the hour of his passing approached, Saint Francis was surrounded by his sons who wept with devotion and sorrow. Like Jacob in the scriptures, Francis said: "Where is my first-born son? Come, my son, so that I can bless you before I die." At these words, Brother Bernard approached Brother Elias, vicar of the community, and said: "Brother Elias, go to the saint so that he can bless you." Brother Elias placed himself at the right hand of the saint, whose eyes were blinded by disease. Francis said: "This is not the head of my first-born son, Brother Bernard." Brother Bernard approached the saint's left side. Francis crossed his arms, placed his right hand over Bernard and his left hand over Elias. Saint Francis then said to Brother Bernard: "May God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, bless you with every spiritual and heavenly gift. You are the first-born, chosen to follow Christ in poverty and to offer example for others to follow. You gave your great wealth to the poor out of love for Christ. But more important, you gave your whole life to God as the sweetest of all sacrifices. Therefore, you are blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ and by me, his poorest servant. You are blessed forever: going and coming, waking and sleeping, living and dying. Whoever else blesses you will be blessed back. Whoever curses you will be punished. Be first among your brothers, who should obey you in all things. Let no brother lord himself over you. Be obedient to God!"
After Saint Francis died, the brothers loved and revered Brother Bernard like a good father. And so as the hour of his passing approached, brothers came from around the world. Among these was Brother Giles. He looked at Brother Bernard with great joy and said to him: "Lift up your heart to the Lord!" Brother Bernard then told the brothers to prepare for Brother Giles a lodging suitable for contemplative prayer. And this was done.
As Brother Bernard's last hour of life approached, he said: "Beloved brothers, I will not speak many words. You must remember that the religious life which was mine is still yours. The hour which now comes for me now will come soon for you, too. In my soul, I know that in a thousand lifetimes, I would not have served any master other than our Lord Jesus Christ. For all of the offenses that I have committed, I accuse myself. I beg pardon from you and from my Savior. My brothers, I beg you to continue to love each other." After these words and other brief instructions, Brother Bernard's face grew resplendent and joyful beyond measure. His brothers marveled at the rapture of his holy soul. And thus crowned with glory, Brother Bernard passed from this life to the blessed life of the angels. Amen!
Our 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,
whose love surpasses all that we ask or deserve,
open for us the treasures of your love and mercy.
Forgive the sins that weigh upon our consciences,
and grant us more than we even dare to ask.
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!
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!
