The Need To Do Penance

In all your sermons you shall tell the people of the need to do penance, impressing upon them that no one can be saved unless he receives the Body and Blood of our Lord.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Letter to All Superiors of the Friars Minor

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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.

To receive prayer simply e-mail your Prayer Requests to:

hermitage@parallax.ws

We encourage you to participate in our

Healing Services

and

Retreats

Thank you for visiting.

Pax Et Bonum!

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December 14th - Feast Day of St. John of the Cross

Dark Night of the Soul
by
Saint John of the Cross

On a darkened night,
Anxious, by love inflamed,
-- O happy chance! --
Unnoticed, I took flight,
My house at last at peace and quiet.

Safe, disguised by the night,
By the secret ladder I took flight,
-- O happy chance! --
Cloaked by darkness, I scaled the height,
My house at last at peace and quiet.

On that blessed night,
In secret, and seen by none,
None in sight,
I saw with no other guide or light,
But the one burning in my heart bright.

This guide, this light,
Brighter than the midday sun,
Led me to the waiting One
I knew so well -- my delight!
To a place with none in sight.

O night! O guide!
O night more loving than the dawn!
O night that joined
The lover with the Beloved;
Transformed, the lover into the Beloved drawn!

Upon my flowered breast,
For him alone kept fair,
There he slept
There I caressed,
There the cedars gave us air.

I drank the turret's cool air
Spreading playfully his hair.
And his hand, so serene,
Cut my throat. Drained
Of senses, I dropped unaware.

Lost to myself and yet remaining,
Inclined so only the Beloved I spy.
All has ceased, all rests,
Even my cares, even I;
Lost among the lilies, there I die.

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A Just Retribution From God

The Gleaners by Jean-Francois Millet

We lose everything which we leave behind us in this world; we can bring with us only the right to a reward for our charity and the alms we have given. For these we shall receive a reward, a just retribution from God.

Saint Francis of Assisi
LETTER TO ALL THE FAITHFUL

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Evangelical Perfection

Until the work of restoring the church of Saint Damian was completed, blessed Francis still wore the garments of a hermit with a strap to serve as a belt, and he carried a staff and had sandals on his feet. Then, one day during the celebration of Mass he heard the words in which Christ bade his disciples go out and preach, carrying neither gold nor silver, nor haversack for the journey, without staff, bread, or shoes, and having no second garment. After listening to the priest's explanation of these words of the Gospel, full of unspeakable joy, he exclaimed, "This is what my whole heart desires to accomplish."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions
CHAPTER VIII

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Treat The Portiuncula With Reverence And Devotion

Altar inside the Portiuncula Chapel at
the Franciscan University of Steubenville,
which we pray we will be able to duplicate at
the Portiuncula Hermitage in Jerusalem, Ohio

And so that the memory of the Portiuncula would remain engraved in the hearts of the brothers, he wished, as his death was drawing near, to have it written down in his testament that the brothers should do likewise. In fact, when he was near death, he said before the minister general and the other brothers:

"I wish to make arrangements regarding the friary of the Portiuncula and leave them as a testament to my brothers that this place will always be treated by them with great reverence and devotion."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 9

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The Portiuncula (the Little Portion)

The original Portiuncula in Assisi, Italy. It is home to all Franciscans.

St. Francis was very happy that this place had been given to the brothers because the church bore the name of the Mother of Christ, because it was very poor, and also because of its name Portiuncula. The fact that it was called the church of the Portiuncula was indeed a presage that it would become the mother and head of the Order of the poor lesser brothers. The church had been given the name Portiuncula because the aforesaid place where the church had been built had already been called the Portiuncula for a very long time.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 8

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"Come To The Quiet" - Become A Monastic Without Having To Leave Your Day Job!

Dr. Tom Ringenberg during personal prayer time at the
Portiuncula Hermitage in Jerusalem, Ohio

Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,

Having just experienced one of the most peaceful and fulfilling weekends of my Christian life, I feel led to write you and encourage you to take a fresh breath of the clean air at the Portiuncula Retreat in Jerusalem Ohio. Surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation in the hills of Appalachia, I was refreshed in God’s peace.

The initial reaction to a weekend of silence, fasting and prayer was mixed as I revel in the world’s flash of media and the madness of twenty-four hour news. I feared boredom and the lack of external stimulus. But God is good, and He provided plenty for me. Walks in the woods and fields, silent prayer and meditation, communal prayer with my Brothers in Christ, prayers of intercession, and theological discussion on the travel to and from Jerusalem, stimulated my spirit far more than my flesh has ever been stimulated.

It is my hope that the Portiuncula will become a haven for those who need a fresh touch of God. I will return soon to restore my soul with peace.

Please prayerfully consider joining me in supporting the Portiuncula Retreat Center by simply contributing $5.00 $10.00 $15.00 or more a month.

Simply Click On The
Parish Pay
Icon

On the Left Sided of this page


Or by making your checks payable to:

"Portiuncula Hermitage"
% 508 south 16th Street
Richmond, IN 47374.

Thank you and God bless!

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Tom Ringenberg
Centerville, IN

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Inner Fire

When Francis returned from his private prayers, through which he changed almost into another man, he tried with all his strength to conform himself to others, lest, if the inner fire were apparent to others, he should lose what he had gained under the glow of human favor.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER LXV

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The Cintura Bianca (White Cord) of Saint Francis

Umbrian city of Citta' della Pieve

Walfred, who lived in Citta della Pieve, a devout and God-fearing man, as was his household, had a cord (Cintura Bianca or "White Cord") with which the Blessed Francis had been girded at one time. It happened that in this place many men and not a few women were afflicted with various illnesses and fevers. This man, after dipping the cord in water or mixing some strands of the cord with water, would give the water to the sick to drink; and thus all of them were healed in Christ's name.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life
CHAPTER XXII

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Two Mites: Body and Soul

Christ's beggar, Francis, had only two mites of which he could dispose in generous charity, his body and his soul.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Major Life
CHAPTER IX

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When The Spirit Becomes Lukewarm

"When the spirit becomes lukewarm and inward grace grows cold, it follows that flesh and blood seek their own pleasures."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 14

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Please Help Us Build The Portiuncula Chapel

To build this Chapel, the Portiuncula Hermitage needs to raise $120,000

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,


It's times like these that tempt Catholics to throw in the towel and give up on the culture of despair.

Greed and corruption have wreaked havoc on our nation's economy. Euthanasia just received Washington State's stamp of approval. And all the pro-life victories of the past decade are now in jeopardy. It's the perfect storm for despair. But despair is the last thing we should do.

In troubled times, Christ calls us to pray, to trust in his perfect will, and to cooperate with his grace.

Ultimately, Christ calls us to hope. He calls us to remember that for Christians, peace does not rest on who wins an election or on the value of our stock portfolios, but in a loving God who “in everything...works for good.”

Of course, God doesn't just call us to hope. He gives us reasons to hope and signs of the good things to come.

I truly believe one of those reasons, one of those signs, is the Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage and Retreat Center.

While many other Catholic institutions have sold out to the culture of death, the Portiuncula, along with a few others, has fought steadfastly for a culture of life. It has faithfully stood alongside the Church, forming men and women capable of true leadership and committed to bringing Christ to the culture.

But the "Portiuncula Chapel" can't be built alone. To continue building, we need your help! And that is why I'm writing you today: To invite you to join me in helping our culture through these troubled times by helping build the Portiuncula Chapel.

United in the Roman Catholic tradition and obedient to the Magisterium of the Church and the Bishop of Steubenville, we are committed to our Lord and Savior in the Scriptures, the Eucharist, the Sacraments of the Church and in our Brothers and Sisters.

With God's grace and your help, I believe past Portiuncula retreatants and those soon to follow in their footsteps will lead our culture and our country out of these troubled times.

That is why I invite you to share the work of these Catholics and the Portiuncula Hermitage that is forming them.

First, allow them to pray for you.

Prayer is the lifeblood of the Portiuncula Hermitage, and the Franciscan family would be honored to include you in their prayers. Please e-mail your most pressing intentions to: dicksoncorp@parallax.ws

Everyone at the Portiuncula will pray for your intentions before the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and at Mass.

In turn, please pray for the Portiuncula, that it might continue to form leaders who can be salt and light to our world.

Finally, I would be grateful if you supported the work of building the Portiuncula Chapel with a generous financial contribution.

Your support of the Portiuncula will make it possible for the sons and daughters of the Church to grow in faith during their retreats, and become the courageous Catholic leaders the world desperately needs.

Today, I want to ask you to become a partner in the Portiuncula's mission to build the Portiuncula Chapel by simply donating $5.00 $10.00 $15.00 a month.

PORTIUNCULA FRANCISCAN HERMITAGE/RETREAT CENTER

ON LINE DONATION

Please, become a part of the Portiuncula Hermitage's work today. Don't let this chance to turn the culture around pass you by.

Pax Et Bonum!

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Special Respect Afforded All Priests

Father Todd Riebe of the Richmond Catholic Community

St. Francis admonished the brothers faithfully to observe the holy Gospel and the rule to which they had bound themselves; to bear themselves reverently and devoutly towards the services of the Church and all ecclesiastical observances; to hear Mass and adore the Body of the Lord with devotion and worship. He also taught the brothers to honor with special respect all priests who were ministers of the sacraments; and wherever they might happen to meet a priest they should bow before him and kiss his hands...

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions
CHAPTER XIII

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Exaggerated Self-Denial

Francis did his utmost to encourage the friars to lead austere lives, but he had no time for exaggerated self-denial which excluded tender compassion or was not tempered with discretion.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Major Life
CHAPTER V

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The Hermitage

The Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage in Jerusalem, Ohio

The hermitage should be like a dwelling from another world. The allurements of the secular city should be totally absent in this city of God. Yet the hermitage should be a place of true artistic beauty and environmental balance, reflecting as a mirror on the earth the heavenly beauty of the divine Artist. The hermitage should be a place of keen environmental beauty and sensitivity, where the delicate and fragile dimensions of all creation are fully experienced, appreciated, and savored, so as to lead the solitary community of monks to constant praise of God. Let the hermitage be a place of silence, so that both the small and the great dynamic reality of the Living Word of God will always be sensitively received. Yes, let the hermitage be like a dwelling place from another world, and it will increase sensitivity to the created beauty of all the world and so help lead all creation to God.

Hermitage
It's Heritage & Challenge for the Future
by
JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT

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Mystic Monk Coffee: Order In Time For Christmas!

The Mystic Monks have been busy preparing some surprises for this Christmas Season!

The most important of these is the

Christmas Blend 2009

It is the most sophisticated blend available with a special blend of eight beans from all over the world. It is best described as a Medium Dark Blend with Citrus Flavors at first taste then a very smooth finish with pleasant pungentry. But hurry, because it is a Limited Edition Coffee Only!

To Order, simply click on the
Mystic Monk Icon
on the Left Side of this screen!

And what would a Mystic Monk Christmas be without a little

Jingle Bell Java?

Our famous Jingle Bell Java will only be available until the end of the Christmas Season, so be sure to stock up now!

We also have a beautiful new single handled Christmas Mug with a logo,
and an insulated Mystic Monk Travel Mug - Perfect for enjoying our
coffee while on the go!


To Order, simply click on the 
Mystic Monk Icon 
on the Left Side of this screen!

Thank you for your support of the
Portiuncula Hermitage,
Mystic Monk Coffee®
and Birthright.

May God Bless you,

Br. Michael Mary

Please remember that the Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage and Retreat Center donates ten percent of their Mysitc Monk Coffee Sales to Birthright (a loving alternative to abortion)!!!

To order, simply click on the
Mystic Monk Icon
on the Left Side of this screen!

The Canticle of the Creatures - St. Francis of Assisi

il Cantico delle Creature

by
Angelo Branduardi

Lyrics

A te solo Buon Signore
Si confanno gloria e onore
A Te ogni laude et benedizione
A Te solo si confanno
Che laltissimo Tu sei
E nullomo degno e
Te mentovare.
Si laudato Mio Signore
Con le Tue creature
Specialmente Frate Sole
E la sua luce.
Tu ci illumini di lui
Che e bellezza e splendore
Di Te Altissimo Signore
Porta il segno.
Si laudato Mio Signore
Per sorelle Luna e Stelle
Che Tu in cielo le hai formate
Chiare e belle.
Si laudato per Frate Vento
Aria, nuvole e maltempo
Che alle Tue creature dan sostentamento.
Si laudato Mio Signore
Per sorella nostra Acqua
Ella e casta, molto utile
E preziosa.
Si laudato per Frate Foco
Che ci illumina la notte
Ed e bello, giocondo
E robusto e forte.
Si laudato Mio Signore
Per la nostra Madre Terra
Ella e che ci sostenta
E ci governa
Si laudato Mio Signore
Vari frutti lei produce
Molti fiori coloriti
E verde lerba.
Si laudato per coloro
Che perdonano per il Tuo amore
Sopportando infermite
E tribolazione
E beati sian coloro
Che cammineranno in pace
Che da Te Buon Signore
Avran corona.
Si laudato Mio Signore
Per la Morte Corporale
Che da lei nesun che vive
Pue scappare
E beati saran quelli
nella Tua volonte
che Sorella Morte
non gli fare male



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Zeal For Observance Of The Rule

Blessed Francis used to tell his followers that our profession was the book of life, the hope of salvation, the pledge of glory, the heart of the Gospel, the way of the Cross, the state of perfection, the key of paradise, and the compact of the eternal covenant.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 76

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Canticle of the Creatures

"At sunrise, every man ought to praise God for having created the Sun which gives light to our eyes during the day; at evening, when night falls, every man ought to praise God for the other creature, our brother fire, which enables our eyes to see clearly in the darkness."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 43

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Children Of The Devil Will Become Christ's Disciples

"Since you speak of peace, all the more so must you have it in your hearts. Let none be provoked to anger or scandal by you, but rather may they be drawn to peace and good will, to benignity and concord through your gentleness. We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way. Many who may seem to us to be children of the Devil will still become Christ's disciples."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions - 58

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Casting Out The Devil

Umbrian city of Citta di Castello

At Citta di Castello there was a woman obsessed by the devil...The woman, unable to stand St. Francis' power, began to tremble and roll about on the ground. St. Francis called to her and said: "In virtue of obedience, I command you, unclean spirit, to go out of her." Immediately he left her without injuring her, but departing in great anger.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life
CHAPTER XXVI

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Regard It A Great Honor To Beg

..."I solemnly assure you that many of the noblest and wisest men of this age will join our company and regard it a great honor to go out begging."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 18

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With Hearts On Fire

Someone asked Francis once how he could protect himself from the piercing cold of winter with poor clothing and he replied with a fervent spirit, "If we are on fire with longing for our heavenly home in our hearts, we will have no difficulty in enduring this exterior cold."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Major Life
CHAPTER V

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Pets

The friars, both clerics and lay brothers, whether traveling about the country or attached to a certain place, are forbidden to have animals of any kind, either in their own keeping or in the keeping of others, or in any other way.

Saint Francis of Assisi
THE RULE OF 1221
Chapter 15

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St. Francis Addresses The Hollywood Elite

The men and women belonging to this brotherhood are not to go to unseemly parties or to shows or dances. They shall not donate to actors, and shall forbid their household to donate.

Saint Francis of Assisi
FIRST RULE OF THE THIRD ORDER
Chapter I

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Humiliation

There is one thing of which we can all boast; we can boast of our humiliations (2 Corinthians 12:15).

Saint Francis of Assisi
The Admonitions
Admonition 5

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Hypocrites

Original Tunic worn by St. Francis of Assisi

Even though people may call us hypocrites, we must never cease doing good. We should avoid expensive clothes in this world in order that we may have something to wear in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 22:11).

Saint Francis of Assisi
THE RULE OF 1221
Chapter 2

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The Crown of Thorns

Photo from the Vatican of Veronica's actual veil

by Fra Chris

of the Portiuncula Hermitage

I was in an area of complete and utter darkness. Then a mist appeared, through which two hands appeared that were handing me a crown of thorns.

I took the crown of thorns from the outstretched hands and placed it upon my head. As the crown was being seated upon my head, I prematurely winced, fully expecting searing pain from those thorns to shoot through my head and throughout my entire body.

But instead of pain, a warm and wonderful feeling of joy and peace settled over me. I was being bathed in God’s love.

Simultaneously with the crown of thorns being placed upon my head, a vision appeared before me of a glass mirror “unfurling” like a window shade, even though it was glass.

Jesus then appeared in the glass before me.

I was immediately filled with shame because Jesus had caught me wearing his crown, and I immediately pulled it from my head.

As I did, Jesus disappeared.

I then placed the crown back onto my head.

As I did, the glass unfurled before me, and again Jesus was standing before me.

At that moment, the realization hit me that I was looking into a mirror and seeing my own reflection, and that reflection was my Savior and my Lord! And me! One and the same!

This vision greatly troubled me. After all, who did I think I was, anyway? Was I so vain as to think myself equal to Jesus? God forbid! The vision continued to frighten me long afterwards, fearing that my attitude was obviously not right with God…that is, until I heard these words:

“Do not be afraid to put on my crown of thorns.

It is My crown of glory!

Wear it as I did.

I will bear the pain so that you have none.

Then, and only then, will you see Me in glory.

Then we shall meet face to face.

You in me, and I in you.

People will see me in your image.

Give yourselves to Me fully,

And I will come to you in glory…”

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Strip The Altar Bare!

Altar inside the Portiuncula in Assisi, Italy

Strip the altar bare of the Blessed Virgin and take away its many ornaments, since you cannot otherwise come to the help of the needy. Believe me, the Blessed Virgin Mary would be more pleased to have the Gospel of her Son kept and her altar stripped bare than that the altar should be ornamented and her Son despised!

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER XXXVII

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