As the Church begins Ordinary Time, we return to our readings and reflections with the Little Flowers of Saint Francis, a fifty-three chapter series of legends and stories about the Poor Man of Assisi. This week, please join us and praying with Chapter XVI: A Young Brother's Vision of Angels & Saints, in which Saint Francis is seen conversing with a multitude of angels and saints. Saint Francis, pray for us! Saint Clare, pray for us! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us!
The Little Flowers of Saint Francis, Chapter XVI:
A Young Brother's Vision of Angels & Saints
A certain young man, most pure and innocent, was received into the fellowship during the lifetime of Saint Francis. He lived with the brothers in a little place where the they slept on truckle beds. On one occasion, Saint Francis came to this place. In the evening, after compline, he retired early, so that he might rise during the night and pray while the other brothers slept. This was his custom. The young brother, however, set his heart on carefully watching the ways of the saint, so that he might know holiness. The young brother was also curious to see what the saint did when he rose during the night. So, in order to wake when the saint awoke, the young brother chose a bunk next to him and tied his cord to the saint's cord.
During the night, Saint Francis awoke after his early sleep and discovered that this cord was fastened to the cord of the young brother. Francis slowly untied his cord so that he would not awaken the young brother. The saint then left the house and proceeded into the nearby forest. He entered a little hut where he began to pray. After a short while, the young brother awoke and found that the saint had left without him. The young brother left the house and went into the wood.
As the young brother approached the little hut, he heard many voices. He slowly came closer to hut so that he might see those who might be speaking. Suddenly, the young brother beheld a beautiful light surrounding Saint Francis! Within that light, he saw Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary! He saw Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist! And he saw a multitude of angels who were speaking with Saint Francis!
With this glorious vision, the young brother fell unconsciously to the ground. Soon after, Saint Francis left the hut and stumbled upon the unconscious brother. In compassion, he lifted him and carried him as a shepherd carries his sheep. The saint returned the young brother to the house where the other brothers slept.
The next day, Saint Francis learned what the young brother had seen and heard. In obedience, the saint asked the young brother to remain silent about what he had seen for the remainder of the saint's life. The young brother promised to be keep this confidence. Over many years, the brother grew in grace and holiness. He was faithful to God and to his promise to the saint. After Saint Francis died, the brother was released from his promise and shared his memory of the miraculous vision with the other brothers. Amen! Amen!
Our Prayers
Almighty God and Father,
you revealed to us your wondrous mystery
by sending your Word and Spirit into the world.
Grant that in confessing the truth faith,
we may acknowledge the Trinity in its eternal glory
and adore your unity in its powerful majesty.
We make our prayer through Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Amen.
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 our Pope-Emeritus, Benedict XVI, we pray: Hail Mary...
For the Catholic Church throughout the world, we pray: Hail Mary...
For peace in the Holy Land and throughout the world, we pray: Hail Mary...
Our Father...
Saint Francis, pray for us!
Saint Clare, pray for us!
All Saints of Assisi, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us!
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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 visit the Carceri (or hermitage) on Mount Subasio, where Saint Francis and his first followers retreated for prayer and contemplation. And we will offer an optional excursion to 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 Greccio (optional excursion). These prices are effective only until June 30, 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!
