SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
On October 4th, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. In addition to being revered as founder of three religious orders, Saint Francis is venerated as patron of the environment, the Republic of Italy, the City of San Francisco, and the worldwide Franciscan family. We celebrate today's feast with a reading from the "Letter of Saint Francis to the Faithful" which was written in 1215. On this happy day, this reading will be read throughout the world as part of the Office of Readings. Saint Francis, pray for us! Saint Clare, pray for us! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us!
The Way of Purity, Poverty, and Humility
by Saint Francis of Assisi
by Saint Francis of Assisi
The Word of the Father, so exalted, holy, and glorious, comes to us from heaven. In this way, the Father announced to us through the Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary that the Word would, in her womb, take on the authentic flesh of both our humanity and our weakness. Though rich beyond measure, the Father's willingly chose poverty along with his Blessed Mother. Shortly before his passion, he celebrated the Passover with his disciples. He then prayed to the Father in these words: "Father, if it is possible, then let this cup pass from me." But he placed his own will at the disposal of the Father's will. And the Father's will was that his blessed and glorious son, born for us and given to us, should offer himself and his blood as a sacrifice on the altar of the cross. This sacrifice was not for the Father, through whom all things were made, but for our sins. He left an example for us to follow him; and he desires that we should be saved through him and receive with him with pure hearts and chaste bodies.
How happy and blessed are we who love the Lord and do as the Lord commands in the gospel: "You should love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and your neighbor as yourself." So, let us love God and adore him with pure hearts and minds. God himself seeks this above all things. He says: "The true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth." All who adore him should adore him in the spirit of truth. And let us pour forth and prayer and praise to him day and night by saying: "Our Father in heaven" because "we should always pray and not lose heart."
Therefore, in a spirit of prayer and penance, let us love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us be charitable and humble. Let us generously give alms. Such acts of faith cleanse the soul of our sins. We will lose everything when we pass from this life. But we will be repaid for our charity and almsgiving! We will be given a great reward by the Lord in heaven!
We should not be wise and prudent according to worldly standards. Instead, we should be simple, humble, and pure. We should never desire to be more powerful than others. Rather, we should be servants and subjects, for the Lord's sake, to every kind of human authority. The Holy Spirit will rest upon all who do these things and endure them for the Lord's sake! The Holy Spirit will dwell in us! We will be children of our Heavenly Father, whose works we accomplish! And we will become spouses and siblings and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ! 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 departed brothers & sisters, we pray: Hail Mary...
For the Catholic Church throughout the world, we pray: Hail Mary...
For peace & justice throughout the world, we pray: Hail Mary...
Our Father...
Almighty God and Father,
you made Saint Francis of Assisi
Christ-like in his poverty and humility.
Help us to walk in his ways
so that with joy and love,
we may follow Christ your Son,
and so be united always with you.
We make this prayer through Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Amen.
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!
