"CUM GRANDE HUMILITATE!"

"Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words."

A special "Thank you!"
Goes out to
John Michael Talbot
for giving us permission
to use his song on our
"Come to the Quiet"
You Tube Video
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Monday, February 28, 2011

Mystic Monk Coffee: Order Through the Portiuncula and Donate to Birthright (a loving alternative to Abortion)


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"Guess who hasn't had their cup of Mystic Monk Coffee yet this morning!"


Fra Chris

The Carmelite Monks of Wyoming


Mystic Monk Coffee is roasted by the Carmelite Monks, a Roman Catholic monastery in the silence and solitude of the Rocky Mountains of northern Wyoming. The monks live a hidden life of prayer and contemplation in the pursuit of God. The monastery is inundated with young men who seek to leave everything to pray for the world, in a tradition at least a thousand years old. It is the monks’ great joy and privilege to share the fruit of their life with you in every cup of Mystic Monk Coffee.


The Monk Master Roaster

Br. Java is the master roaster who meticulously roasts beans in small batches. His philosophy is that each roast must be not only the labor of his hands, but a master roast of the highest quality. Br. Java is passionate about obtaining the perfect roasts for you. He carefully roasts only the finest gourmet beans under conditions that will make each roast consistent and smooth with a taste that will make your taste buds tingle. With experience and perfection, Mystic Monk Coffee is a coffee to savor and enjoy – with or without cream.


The Legend of the First Mystic Monk

Coffee is a product perfected and loved by monks from its beginning. When a monk of old heard the anguished tale of a shepherd who had sleepless goats, he himself discovered growing on shrubs the berries, which had such a wonderful affect. Delighted at his find, the ingenious monk boiled the beans in water and drank the resulting coffee. He found in his discovery a hot drink that could keep his eyes awake even amidst the midnight vigils and unceasing prayers of the monastic life.

The secret of coffee continues to keep monks ever alert and vigilant for their prayers, but now Mystic Monk Coffee shares the hidden, master roasts of monks with all who seek a delightful cup of coffee.


Monks are passionate Perfectionists

The monastic life is one of ordered perfection, which you will taste in every bag of Mystic Monk Coffee. Passionate about perfection, no challenge is too great for Br. Java and the monks, if it will result in a Mystic Monk brew suited for the most discriminating coffee drinker. The Carmelite monks have mastered the ancient art of roasting coffee, laboring with steadfast determination to make each cup of coffee simply superb. Taste the monastic perfection in each brew, which makes all the difference.

Please remember that when you buy Mystic Monk Coffee through the Portiuncula Hermitage, ten percent of all their commission sales is donated to Birthright (a loving alternative to abortion.)

Please remember to keep our pre-born in your daily prayers!

To order direct, simply click on the Bag of Mystic Monk Coffee on the Top of this page:

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Devotion To Prayer

Whether he was walking or sitting, at home or abroad, whether he was working or resting, he was so wholeheartedly intent on prayer that he seemed to have dedicated to it not only his heart and his soul, but all his efforts and all his time. He was often taken right out of himself in such an excess of devotion that he was lost in ecstasy. Then he experienced things which were beyond all human understanding, and he would be completely oblivious of all that went on about him.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Minor Life
Chapter IV

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Sunday, February 27, 2011

Amid Deep Groanings, Be Raised Up To Heaven


Photobucket

When the sweetest melody of spirit would flame up in his heart, St. Francis would release it by singing in French, and the trickle of divine inspiration which his inner ear had caught would begin to overflow like a minstrel's song. At times, as I have seen with my own eyes, he would pick up a stick from the ground and, holding it in his left arm, would draw across it another stick bent by means of a string, as if he were playing a violin. Then pretending to play, he would sing in French the praises of the Lord. This whole ecstasy of joy would often end in tears and his song of gladness would be dissolved in compassion for the passion of Christ. Then this saint would bring forth continual sighs, and amid deep groanings, he would be raised up to heaven, forgetful of the lower things he held in his hand.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER XC 

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Friday, February 25, 2011

The Miracle of Rieti



Tiers Vino outside Assisi, Italy
Blessed Francis was staying near the church of St. Fabian in Rieti. A number of cardinals, accompanied by clerics, almost daily visited the saint out of respect and devotion.The church had a small vineyard and since the church had but one door, all those who came to visit passed through that one door, trampling the vineyard under foot. The priest was scandalized and disturbed: "This year," he said, "my vintage is lost. The vineyard is small but every year I harvest enough grapes for my needs."

St. Francis said to the priest: "Stop being disturbed and scandalized: nothing can be done about it. Place your trust in the Lord, because through me, his poor servant, he can repair the damage..."

The priest usually harvested thirteen loads of wine, but that year he harvested twenty from his destroyed vineyard.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 25

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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Rethinking the Pro-Life Movement

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You Have Given Me The Oil Of Gladness!

One day St. Francis reproved one of his companions who looked sad and downcast: "Why do you display the sadness and sorrow that you feel for your sins that way? It is a matter between you and God. Pray to Him that in His goodness He give you the joy of salvation. In my presence and in the presence of others, try to be always joyful, for it is not becoming that a servant of God appear before the brothers or other men and women with a sad and gloomy face."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 97

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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Rust In The Heart

"If the servant of God, as may happen, is disturbed in any way, they should rise immediately to pray and should remain in the presence of the heavenly Father until He restores unto them the joy of salvation. For if you remain stupified in sadness, the Babylonian stuff will increase, so that, unless it be at length driven by tears, it will generate an abiding rust in the heart."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
Chapter LXXXIX

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Monday, February 21, 2011

In The Silence Of The Heart, God Speaks And We Listen...




"This is what we have to learn right from the beginning: to listen to the voice of God in our heart, and then in the silence of the heart God speaks. Then from the fullness of our hearts, our mouth will have to speak. That is the connection. In the silence of the heart, God speaks to you and you have to listen. Then in the fullness of the heart, because it is full of God, full of love, full of compassion, full of faith, your mouth will speak."


Mother Teresa of Calcutta

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Sunday, February 20, 2011

Sublime Humility




In their pride the demons take flight at the sight of the sublime virtue practices by those who are truly humble.


Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Major Life
Chapter VI

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Friday, February 18, 2011

We Seem To Think


PETER MAURIN

Saint Francis thought
that to choose the poor
is just as good
as if one should marry
the most beautiful girl in the world.
We seem to think
that poor people
are social nuisances
and not the Ambassadors of God.
We seem to think
that Lady Poverty
is an ugly girl
and not the beautiful girl
that Saint Francis of Assisi
says she is.
And because we think so,
we refuse to feed the poor
with our superfluous goods
and let the politicians
feed the poor
by going around
like pickpockets,
robbing Peter
to pay Paul,
and feeding the poor
by soaking the rich.


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Tempted With Lust




When St. Francis saw that the temptations of lust did not leave him in spite of the scourging, even though all his members were marked with welts, he opened his cell and went out into the garden and cast himself naked into a deep pile of snow...The devil then parted in confusion, and the saint returned to his cell glorifying God.


Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano - Second Life
Chapter LXXXII

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Thursday, February 17, 2011

A Franciscan Prayer


ENID DINNIS

When I am old and tutored by
The grim experience of days;
When I have proved men in their ways,
Oh, do not let the dreamer die.

When I have learned aside to toss
The foolish things that wise men hate,
Lest Littleness should hold me great,
Be mine the folly of the Cross.

When comes detachment's strength to me,
Let mine the weakness be that wept
O'er Lazarus' grave and kept
Three comrades in Gethsemane.

When head bids heart herself forget,
When Reason's lure would love deceive,
May my poor foolish heart achieve
A few life-giving blunders yet.

When I have grown too sane, too sad,
To join the angels' faerie ring
And serve the playtime of the King,
Then, Sweet Francis, make me mad. 

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The Alms We Beg Are A Sacred Bread




The alms we beg are in fact a scared bread, sanctified by the praise and love of God, since the one who goes begging must begin by saying, "Praised and blessed be the Lord God!" Then they must say, "Give us an alms for the love of the Lord God!"


Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 61

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Franciscus Christificatus


FRANCIS THOMPSON

Thief that has leaped Heaven's star-spiked wall!
Christ's exultant bacchanal!

Wine-smears on thy hand and foot

Of the Vine that struck its root
Deep in Virgin soul, and was

Trained against the reared Cross:

Nay, thy very side its stain

Hath, to make it redly plain

How in the wassail quaffed full part

That flown vintager, thy heart.

Christ in blood stamps Himself afresh

On thy Veronical-veil of flesh.


Lovers, looking with amaze on

Each other, would be that they gaze on:
So for man's love God would be

Man, and man for His love He:
What God in Christ, man has in thee.

God gazed on man and grew embodied,

Thou, on Him gazing, turn'st engodded!

But though he held thy brow-spread tent
His little Heaven above Him bent,
Thy scept'ring reed suffices thee,

Which smote Him into sovereignty.

Thou who thoughtest thee too low

For His priest, thou shalt not so

'Scape Him and unpriested go!
In thy hand thou wouldst not hold Him,

In thy flesh thou shalt enfold Him;

Bread wouldst not change into Him...ah see!
How He doth change Himself to thee!



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Exterior Mortification




Many people blame the devil or their neighbor when they fall into sin or are offended. But that is not right. Everyone has their own enemy in their power and this enemy is our lower nature which leads us into sin. Blessed are they who keeps this enemy a prisoner under their control and protects themselves against it. As long as they do this no other enemy, visible or invisible, can harm them.


Saint Francis of Assisi
The Admonitions
Admonition X

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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Thank God When People Refuse You Alms!


If people insult you and refuse to give you or your ministry alms, you should thank God for it, because you will be honoured before the judgment-seat of our Lord Jesus Christ for these insults. The shame will be imputed to those who cause it, not to those who suffer it!  Alms are an inheritance and a right which is due to the poor because our Lord Jesus Christ acquired this inheritance for us.

Saint Francis of Assisi
The Rule of 1221
Chapter 9

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To Those Who Praise Themselves



Brother Francis would often say to his brothers: "No one should flatter himself with evil praise over what a sinner can do. A sinner," he said, "can fast, pray, weep, mortify his flesh. This, however, he cannot do, namely, be faithful to his Lord."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
Chapter XCVII

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Monday, February 14, 2011

"Come To The Quiet" - Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?

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No Outward Clamor




Saint Francis, withdrawn within himself and walking in the broadness of his heart, had prepared within himself a dwelling fit for God, and therefore the outward clamor did not catch his ears, nor could any sound drive out or interrupt the great business he had at hand. The apostolic authority was strong in him, and he therefore refused entirely to offer flattery to kings and princes.


Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life
Chapter XVI

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Sunday, February 13, 2011

Fox News - GoodShop for the Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage


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Please remember
the
Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage and Retreat Center
Donates 10% of their Income to
BirthRight
 (a loving alternative to Abortion)


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The Stigmata of St. Francis




"I was praying on that spot where the Chapel of Count Simon of Battifolle is now, and I was asking my Lord Jesus Christ for two graces. The first was that I should feel in my soul and in my body, as far as possible, all that pain which He had felt within Himself during His most hly Passion. The second grace I asked was that I should likewise feel in my heart that most intense love which He enkindled within Himself so as to endure such suffering for us sinners. And then God put it into my heart that He would let me feel both the one and then the other, as much as possible for a mere creature. And that was fully accomplished in me during the imprinting of the Stigmata."


Saint Francis of Assisi
The Little Flowers of St. Francis 
Part II
The Considerations of the Holy Stigmata

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Saturday, February 12, 2011

How To Act In A Rapture




The holy and very devout lay brother, James of Massa, who had been with St. Clare and many of the companions of St. Francis, had the gift of rapture, and he wished to obtain Brother Giles' advice regarding how to act when he had such grace.


Brother Giles answered: "Don't add. Don't take away. And avoid crowds as much as you can."

"What do you mean?" said Brother James. "Explain it to me, Reverend Father."

He replied: "When the mind is ready to be introduced into that glorious light of God's goodness, it should not add anything by presumption or take away anything by negligence, and it should love solitude as much as possible if it wishes that the grace be preserved and increase."

To the glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Little Flowers of St. Francis - 8

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Friday, February 11, 2011

The Conversion of a Soldier




There was a certain strong soldier who had won many victories and later became a Friar Minor. And when soldiers laughed at him because he had joined such an Order rather then the Templars or a similar Order where he could do much good and still fight battles, he replied: "I tell you that when I feel thirst, hunger, cold, and such things, the impusle of pride and concupiscence and such still attacks me. How much worse would it be if I saw my feet shod in armor and I was on a handsome horse and so on!"


And he added: "So far I was strong in fighting others - from now on I want to be strong fighting myself!"

Thanks be to God.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Little Flowers of St. Francis
Part 3:7

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Come Away By Yourselves To A Deserted Place And Rest Awhile

"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile" 
(Mark 6:30-34)

If ministry does not flow from real contemplation and prayer it is powerless! If we contemplate only to gain power in ministry we still run the risk of ego-driven ministry. We must pray and contemplate only for God and our salvation. Then we may give what we have been given in Christ to others, and lead them back to contemplative prayer."

John Michael Talbot

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Too Ashamed to Beg


One winter's day, miserably clothed as a beggar, Francis went into Assisi to beg. On approaching one house he saw a number of men busy playing and gambling; and overcome by shyness he turned away being ashamed to go in and beg from them. But then he thought better of it, and accusing himself of sin, he hurried back to the place, went in, and confessed his fault to all the company, how he had been ashamed to ask them for alms. 

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions - 23

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Wednesday, February 09, 2011

A Fool And A Madman

When his friends and relatives saw Francis, they covered him with insults, calling him a fool and a madman, and hurling stones and mud at him. Seeing him so changed, they thought he must be out of his mind.

But God's servant paid no heed to all this; unmoved by insults, he thanked almighty God for everything.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions
Chapter VI

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Tuesday, February 08, 2011

The Way of Simplicity and Humility




When blessed Francis was at the Chapter General held at Saint Mary of the Portiuncula - known as the Chapter of Mats, because the only shelters there consisted of rush-mats, which were used by five thousand friars - a number of prudent and learned friars went to the Lord Cardinal of Ostia who was present, and said to him, 'My Lord, we wish that you would persuade Brother Francis to follow the advice of the wiser brethren, and allow himself to be guided by them.' And they quoted Rules of Saint Benedict, Saint Augustine, and Saint Bernard, which lay down the principles of the regular life.


Saint Francis replied, 'My brothers! My brothers! God has called me by the say of simplicity and humility, and has in truth revealed this way for me and for all who are willing to trust and follow me...The Lord told me he wished me to be a new kind of simpleton in this world, and He does not wish us to libe by any other wisdom but this. God will confound you through your own prudence and learning.'

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 68

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Monday, February 07, 2011

From A Hovel One Ascends More Quickly To Heaven

Rivo Torto near Assisi, Italy

Blessed Francis betook himself with the rest of his brothers to a place near Assisi called Rivo Torto. In that place there was a certain abandoned hovel in a shelter of which these most ardent despisers of great and beautiful homes lived; and there they kept themselves safe from the rains. For, as a certain saint once said, "From a hovel one ascends more quickly to heaven than in a palace."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life
Chapter XVI

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Sunday, February 06, 2011

Welcome To The Portiuncula Healing Ministry



"Only say the word Lord, and I shall be healed"

We are a
Franciscan Prayer Ministry
located in Jerusalem, Ohio.
Through prayer and Adoration before our Eucharistic Lord, we seek His awesome power, grace, and mercy, to bring His divine healing and peace into your life.
Simply e-mail your Prayer Requests to:
We encourage you to participate in our
Healing Services and Retreats
Thank you for visiting.

Pax Et Bonum!

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Go Into the World Two By Two


St. Francis said, "Go, my dearest brothers [and sisters], two by two into the various parts of the world, announcing peace and repentance unto the forgiveness of sins; and be patient in tribulation, confident that the Lord will fulfill his purpose and his promise. To those who put questions to you, reply humbly; bless those who persecute you; give thanks to those who injure you and culmniate you; because for these things there is prepared for you an eternal kingdom." 

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life
Chapter XII

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Saturday, February 05, 2011

Go! Repair My House!

The San Damiano Cross hangs in the Basilica of St. Clare of Assisi in Italy

Francis was walking one day near the church of St. Damian, which had nearly fallen to ruin and was abandoned by everyone. Led by the Spirit, he went in and fell down before the crucifix in devout and humble supplication; and smitten by unusual visitations, he found himself other than he had been when he entered. While he was thus affected, something unheard of before happened to him: the painted image of Christ crucified moved its lips and spoke. Calling him by name it said, "Francis, go, repair my house, which, as you see, is falling completely to ruin." Fraom then on compassion for the crucified was rooted in his holy soul, and, as it can be piously supposed, the stigmata of the venerable passion were deeply imprinted on his heart, though not yet upon his flesh.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
Chapter VI

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Friday, February 04, 2011

Rethinking the Pro-Life Movement

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God's Servant Is Like A Painting




St. Francis once said, "An artist who paints our Lord or the Blessed Virgin honors them and recalls them to our mind; nevertheless, the painting claims no other merit than what it is, a creation made of wood and color. God's servant is like a painting: a creature of God, through whom God is honored because of His blessings. We must not lay claim to any merit than the wood and color do. Honor and glory must be given to God alone. The only thing we must retain for ourselves, as long as we live, is shame and confusion, for as long as we live, our flesh is always hostile to the grace of God."


Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 104

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Thursday, February 03, 2011

True Piety and Interior Holiness


We must all be on our guard against pride and empty boasting and beware of worldly wisdom. A worldly spirit loves to talk a lot but do nothing, striving for the exterior signs of holiness that people can see, with no desire for true piety and interior holiness.

Saint Francis of Assisi
The Rule of 1221
Chapter 17

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Wednesday, February 02, 2011

The Dark Night of Contemplation: The Touch of Fire!

Sometimes the dark night of contemplation strikes the mind and the will simultaneously, enkindling a sublime and powerful love. Remember: once the mind has been purified, it is more likely to come into harmony with the will. To the extent that both are purified, the union is that much deeper. But before the soul attains to such a place of purification, it is more common for her to experience the touch of fire in the will than the touch of understanding in the mind.

Saint John of the Cross
Dark Night of the Soul

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Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Mystic Monk Coffee: Order Through the Portiuncula and Donate to Birthright (a loving alternative to Abortion)



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"Guess who hasn't had their cup of Mystic Monk Coffee yet this morning!"


Fra Chris

The Carmelite Monks of Wyoming


Mystic Monk Coffee is roasted by the Carmelite Monks, a Roman Catholic monastery in the silence and solitude of the Rocky Mountains of northern Wyoming. The monks live a hidden life of prayer and contemplation in the pursuit of God. The monastery is inundated with young men who seek to leave everything to pray for the world, in a tradition at least a thousand years old. It is the monks’ great joy and privilege to share the fruit of their life with you in every cup of Mystic Monk Coffee.


The Monk Master Roaster

Br. Java is the master roaster who meticulously roasts beans in small batches. His philosophy is that each roast must be not only the labor of his hands, but a master roast of the highest quality. Br. Java is passionate about obtaining the perfect roasts for you. He carefully roasts only the finest gourmet beans under conditions that will make each roast consistent and smooth with a taste that will make your taste buds tingle. With experience and perfection, Mystic Monk Coffee is a coffee to savor and enjoy – with or without cream.


The Legend of the First Mystic Monk

Coffee is a product perfected and loved by monks from its beginning. When a monk of old heard the anguished tale of a shepherd who had sleepless goats, he himself discovered growing on shrubs the berries, which had such a wonderful affect. Delighted at his find, the ingenious monk boiled the beans in water and drank the resulting coffee. He found in his discovery a hot drink that could keep his eyes awake even amidst the midnight vigils and unceasing prayers of the monastic life.

The secret of coffee continues to keep monks ever alert and vigilant for their prayers, but now Mystic Monk Coffee shares the hidden, master roasts of monks with all who seek a delightful cup of coffee.


Monks are passionate Perfectionists

The monastic life is one of ordered perfection, which you will taste in every bag of Mystic Monk Coffee. Passionate about perfection, no challenge is too great for Br. Java and the monks, if it will result in a Mystic Monk brew suited for the most discriminating coffee drinker. The Carmelite monks have mastered the ancient art of roasting coffee, laboring with steadfast determination to make each cup of coffee simply superb. Taste the monastic perfection in each brew, which makes all the difference.

Please remember that when you buy Mystic Monk Coffee through the Portiuncula Hermitage, ten percent of all their commission sales is donated to Birthright (a loving alternative to abortion.)

Please remember to keep our pre-born in your daily prayers!

To order direct, simply click on the Mystic Monk Coffee Icon on the Top of this page:

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Theft of Alms

Blessed Francis used to say to his friars, "I have never been a thief in the matter of alms, and obtained or used more than I needed. I have always accepted less than my needs, lest other poor folk should be cheated of their share; for to act otherwise would be theft."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror or Perfection - 12

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