THE TREASURE OF HOLY POVERTY

This week, we renew our prayer and reading from the 'Little Flowers of Saint Francis.' In this chapter, Saint Francis and Brother Masseo (who have gone forth into the world in order to preach in imitation of the apostles) discuss the 'treasure' of most holy poverty and together are taught a great lesson through the intercession of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Saint Francis, pray for us! Saint Clare, pray for us! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us!

The Little Flowers of Saint Francis
Chapter XII: The Treasure of Holy Poverty

Saint Francis, that wonderful servant and follower of Christ, wanted to conform himself more perfectly to Christ in all things. Like Christ, who had sent his disciples to preach in pairs to all cities and places, Francis chose twelve companions and sent them to preach in pairs. In order to offer them an example of obedience, Francis was the first to go forth into the world. Having assigned the others to other places, he chose Brother Masseo as his companion and left for France.

One day, when they arrived in a certain town, they were very hungry. According to the rule, they begged for bread out of love for God. Saint Francis begged on one street. Brother Masseo begged on another street. Because Saint Francis was a man of small stature and seemed like a vile beggar by those who did not know him, he received only a few crumbs and mouthfuls of stale bread. By contrast, Brother Masseo was tall and handsome. He received many good pieces of bread, including an entire loaf. When they had begged enough, the brothers walked to a fountain outside of the town which was near a large flat stone. They placed their alms upon the stone and began to eat.

When Francis saw that Masseo's pieces were larger and better, he said joyfully: "Brother Masseo, we are not worthy of this great treasure!" After he had repeated these words several times, Brother Masseo replied: "Because we are so poor, how can this be called treasure? We lack the basic necessities! We do not have cloth or knives or plates or even a pot. We do not have a table or a house or even servants to wait upon us." Upon hearing these words, Francis said: "Nothing we have is provided by human industry. Everything we have is provided by God's grace. This indeed is a great treasure. We are blessed with this bread which was given to us. We are blessed by this rock which serves well as our table. And we are blessed with clean water from this fountain. We must love God and give thanks to God for our holy poverty which is so noble that even He subjected himself to it."

After these words, Francis and Masseo made their prayer, ate their bread, drank some cool water, and departed for France. Along the way, they came upon a church, entered it, and began to pray. As he prayed, Francis received a great consolation which inflamed his heart and spirit with a burning love for holy poverty. This movement of spirit was so profound that it appeared as if he was breathing in and out flames of divine love. In this state, Francis said three times: "Brother Masseo, yield yourself to me." After the third time, Francis lifted Masseo into the air by the power of his breath. After doing this, Francis explained to Masseo that he had never felt in his life such sweetness of soul and such consolation from the Holy Spirit.

At this point, Saint Francis said: "My brother, let us pray to Saint Peter and Saint Paul that they might teach us to embrace the immeasurable treasure of holy poverty because it is so divine that we can hardly understand it. Let us pray that we might accept that all earthly things are temporary and that only through poverty can we unite ourselves to the eternal God. Indeed, it is the virtue of holy poverty that allows mortals like us to converse with angels in heaven. It is the virtue of holy poverty that accompanied Christ to his cross, was with Christ when he was buried, and was exalted with Christ when he was raise up. It is the virtue of holy poverty that guards our charity and humility. And it is the virtue of holy poverty that facilitates the flight to heaven for all who love it! Let us pray to Christ's holy apostles that they will beg these things for us through God's grace and mercy. Let us pray that we might become true lovers, observers, and humble disciples of this most precious, most lovable, and most holy poverty!"

In this spirit, Saint Francis and Brother Masseo traveled to Rome in order to pray to Christ's apostles. They entered the Basilica of Saint Peter. Francis went to a corner of the great church and began to pray. Likewise, Masseo went to another corner and began to pray. They prayed for a long time with great devotion and many tears. In a vision, the apostles appeared in a vision to Francis. They said to him: "Because you have asked and desired to experience what Christ and his holy apostles experienced, the Lord Jesus Christ has sent us to announce that your prayer has been heard and it has been granted by God that you and your followers will possess perfectly the treasure of holy poverty. Furthermore, in God's name, we say that whoever follows your example with perfect devotion will secure the blessings of eternal life. May God bless you and your followers!" Having said these heavenly words, Saints Peter and Paul vanished. 

Francis was left full of consolation and joy! He rose, found his companion, and asked if God had revealed anything to him. Brother Masseo replied: "No, nothing." Saint Francis told him about what he had seen and heard from the apostles. Filled with great joy, Francis and Matteo abandoned their planned journey to France. They returned with hase to Assisi so that they could share their vision with their brothers. Amen!

This Week's 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,

direct our steps in the way of your love,
so that our whole life may be fragrant
with all we do in the name of Jesus your beloved Son.

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!

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NEW!

SEVENTH ANNUAL FALL PILGRIMAGE

FOOTSTEPS of SAINT FRANCIS of ASSISI
Rome | Assisi | Greccio | October 31-November 8, 2014

For the seventh consecutive year, the Assisi Project is sponsoring a week-long, small-group pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, Italy from October 31st through November 8th. Last year, a nearly sold-out group of sixteen pilgrims (ranging in age from 14 to 88 years) from the United States and Canada literally walked in the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare.

This year, we will journey back to these holy pilgrimage sites. Each morning, we will begin with Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours and Mass. Masses will be celebrated at the Church of San Damiano, the Carceri, the Porziuncola, and the Basilica of Saint Francis. Each afternoon, all pilgrims will be afforded the free time and guidance to explore the medieval city of Assisi at their own pace and to visit the countless churches, cafes, museums, and shops. Each evening, we will gather for Evening Prayer, followed by a conference and faith sharing.

As a fellowship of pilgrims, we will visit the historic Basilicas of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. Each of the these great basilicas contains the tombs of the saints, holy relics, and priceless works of art. But these baslicas are also pilgrimage sites for prayer, silent meditation, and worship. We will visit the Basilica of Saint Rufino, where Saint francis and Saint Clare were baptized. We will visit the Church of Saint Damian, where the famous crucifix spoke to Francis and hastened his conversion. And we will visit the little chapel known as the Porziuncola, which is considered the home church of the worldwide Franciscan community.

In addition, we will spend leisurely afternoons in and around the Piazza de Commune, Assisi's city center, with its ancient Roman temple (now a Catholic church), sidewalkk cafes, restaurants, and shops. The more adventurous will also have an opportunity to hike to the Rocca Maggiore, the great medieval fortress with its stunning views of Assisis, the Spoleto Valley, and Mount Subasio.

Finally, we will travel to Rome for visits to Vatican City and Saint Peter's Basilica, where we will celebrate Mass and hopefully see and hear Pope Francis deliver the Sunday Angelus Address. We will also offer special optional excursions to the Carceri (or hermitage) on Mount Subasio, where Saint Francis and his first followers retreated for prayer and contemplation; and Greccio, the little village near Assisi, where Saint Francis introduced the first Christmas creche.

The cost of this extraordinary pilgrimage and retreat is just $3,099 and includes all air and ground transportation (from Boston's Logan Airport only), guest house accommodations (single room) at the Convent of Saint Bridget of Sweden in Assisi, and hotel accommodations (double room; singe room option) at the historic Columbus Hotel (near Vatican City) in Rome. All meals are included. This price does not include recommended travel insurance (approximately $250) or transportation to the Carceri or Greccio (optional excursions). These prices are effective only until May 31, 2014. For more information about this pilgrimage or about any of our upcoming events, please contact Cliff Garvey at assisiproject@ymail.com. Please join us! Space is limited! May the Lord give you peace!