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, Saint Francis preaches peace to the people of Siena, but Brother Masseo is troubled by the saint's behavior. Ultimately, both learn a lesson in divine grace. 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:
X. Saint Francis Reads the Heart of Brother Masseo
Saint Francis and Brother Masseo were walking together along the road. At one point, Brother Masseo went on ahead but waited for Saint Francis at a three-way fork in the road. One way led to Florence. One way went to Siena. And one way went to Arezzo. Brother Masseo said: "Brother Francis, which way should we walk?" Francis answered: "By whichever way that God wills us to go." Brother Masseo replied: "How will we know God's will?" And Francis said: "I will show you the sign. Under holy obedience, I command you to stand in the fork in the road and to turn around and around as a child at play. Do not stop until you are told."
Brother Masseo began to turn around and around, again and again and again. He repeated this so many times that he became dizzy. Masseo fell several times to the ground. But since Saint Francis did not tell him to stop, he rose and turned faithfully and rapidly. Suddenly, Saint Francis said: "Stop! Do not move!" Brother Masseo stopped. Saint Francis asked: "My brother, In which direction do you face?" Masseo replied: "Towards Siena." So Saint Francis said: "God wills that we walk to Siena."
As they walked along the road, Brother Masseo wondered about why Saint Francis commanded him to act as a little child. However, Masseo did not ask any questions. Upon their arrival in Siena, the people welcomed them with warmth and devotion. They carried Saint Francis and Brother Masseo to the bishop's house. As they were being carried, they learned that the people of Siena were battling with each other. Two citizens had been killed violently. In response, Saint Francis preached the Lord's gospel with great devotion and holiness. As a result of his preaching, the people were united in peace and concord. Because of this, the bishop welcomed him into his house with great gratitude and honor.
At sunrise on the next day, Saint Francis awakened and departed with his companion. Because he was embarrassed by the bishop's attentions and compliments, they left without offering a word of thanks to the bishop or to the people. As they walked along the road, Brother Masseo wondered about why Saint Francis behaved in this way. First, he commanded his brother to behave like a child. And next, he left the bishop without expressing appropriate gratitude. Brother Masseo believed that Francis had behaved poorly in both situations.
But suddenly, Brother Masseo reproached himself for questioning the saint's behavior. He said to himself: "You are too proud. You must not question the God's mysterious ways. Yesterday, Brother Francis accomplished a holy work as if God's own angel had done it. You must not cast stones. Rather, you must give praise and obey. Brother Francis preached by divine inspiration. He brought peace to the people. He prevented more violence and death before other souls could be dragged by the devil to the fires of hell. You are so foolish to murmur against God's will."
All of what Brother Masseo said to himself was revealed by God to Saint Francis. They walked together in silence for a long while. But Saint Francis stopped and said to his companion: "Brother Masseo, hold fast to your second thoughts because they are God's gifts into your heart. But your first questions and murmurings were proud and vain and inspired by the devil's darkness." At these words, Brother Masseo saw clearly that the saint knew the secrets of his heart and that he was inspired by God in all that he did and said. 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,
give us grace to serve you always with joy,
because our full and lasting happiness is to make our lives
a constant service to you: the author of all good things.
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 I 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!
