Sunday, November 10, 2013

BROTHER MASSEO GIVES A TEST IN HUMILITY

Each week, 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, Brother Masseo, one of the saint's first followers (who is buried near him in the crypt at the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi) tests his friend's humility by asking why the world wishes to follow him, a little poor man. Saint Francis, pray for us! Saint Clare, pray for us! All holy men and women of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us!

The Little Flowers of Saint Francis:
IX. Brother Masseo Gives a Test in Humility

Saint Francis was staying at the small convent near the Porziuncola with Brother Masseo, who was a man of much holiness and prayer. He always spoke with praise and thanksgiving about God. And for these reasons, Saint Francis loved him very much. One day, as Saint Francis returned from praying in the forest near the convent, he met Brother Masseo and exchanged a greeting of the Lord's peace. Brother Masseo wished to measure the saint's growth in humility. So he asked humorously: "Why after you? Why after you?" Francis replied: "What do you mean?" And Brother Masseo answered: "Why does the world wish to follow after you? Why do people wish to see you and hear you and obey you? You are not a handsome man! You are not a noble man! And you are not a man of great learning! Again, why after you?"

Hearing these words, Saint Francis was filled with spiritual joy. He raised his face toward heaven. He prayed earnestly with his mind and spirit lifted up toward God. After a long while, he returned to himself, knelt on the ground, gave God praise and thanks, and turned to Brother Masseo. With great spiritual fervor, Francis said: "Why after me? Why after me? Why does the world wish to follow me? I can say only that the Most High God looks upon all things good and evil. With those holy eyes, he sees no greater sinner than me! He sees no more weaker person than me! He sees no more vile creature than me! And so, in order to accomplish his great works, he chose me as his instrument! He chose me to confound the beauty and grandeur and strength and wisdom of the world! He chose me so that all may know that all goodness comes from Himself, not from some creature of the world. He chose me so that all may know that none may glory in themselves, but must give glory to Him who is all glory and honor for ever and ever!"

At this most fervent and heartfelt reply, Brother Masseo was struck with awe at the power of the Most High God; and he knew with certainty that Saint Francis was well-grounded in a humility born and nurtured by the Lord God. 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,
defend us against every distress,
so that freed in body and soul,
we may devote ourselves to your service
with true freedom and joy.
We make this prayer through Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Amen.

Saint Francis, pray for us!
Saint Clare, pray for us!
Our Lady of 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.

Liturgy of the Hours
This Week: Week IV of the Psalter

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!