"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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Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Forced To Have Arms


The brothers often asked the advice of the Bishop, who received Francis with kindness but said: "It seems to me that it is very hard and difficult to possess nothing in the world." To this blessed Francis replied: "My Lord, if we had any possessions we should also be forced to have arms to protect them, since possessions are a cause of disputes and strife, and in many ways we should be hindered from loving God and our neighbor."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions - 35

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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

"CUM GRANDE HUMILITATE"



Final verse of
"Canticle of the Creatures"
written by
St. Francis of Assisi
in the original Umbrian dialect:



Laudato er benedicite, misignore,
et rengratiate et serviate li
"cum grande humilitate."


Translation:


Praise and bless my Lord,
thank Him and serve Him
"Humbly but Grandly"


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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Cells Built Only of Wood and Clay

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One day, when Francis had left the cell, one of the friars went to look at it, and afterwards came to the place where blessed Francis was. Seeing him, the holy Father said to him, "Where have you come from, brother?" "I have come from your cell," he replied. Then blessed Francis said, "Because you have called it mine, some one else shall use it henceforward, and not I." For we who were with him have often heard him quote the saying, Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have resting-places; the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head... So, after His example, he would not have any house or cell that could be called his own, nor did he ever have one built. 

(Even at the time of his death Francis had it written in his Testament that all cells and houses of the friars were to be built only of wood and clay, the better to safeguard poverty and humility.)

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 9

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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Canticle of the Creatures

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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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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Remain Less In Your Own Eyes






"This is how, servant of God, you will know that you have the spirit of the Lord: If when the Lord does something good through you, the flesh does not get puffed up (for the flesh is ever in opposition to what is good); but instead, you remain less in your own eyes, less than all other people." 

~ Saint Francis of Assisi
Admonition 12


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Monday, November 14, 2011

"HOLIDAYS UNDER THE SPIRES" ~ OLDENBURG INDIANA, DECEMBER 3RD



Swing by the Portiuncula Hermitage "coffee table" on Hauptstrasse for a cup of "Mystic Monk Coffee!" We will be located where the Carriage Rides begin and end. Check out our special brew of "Jingle Bell Java" that is guaranteed to knock your sandals off or curl your habits!


Fra Chris

Friday, November 11, 2011

Eucharistic Healing

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

The Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage, located in Jerusalem, Ohio, Diocese of Steubenville, seeks the awesome power, grace, and mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to bring divine healing and peace into your life through intercessory prayer and adoration before our Eucharistic Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

Simply e-mail your Prayer Requests to: hermitage@parallax.ws

We encourage everyone to participate in our Healing Services and Retreats.

Thank you for visiting.

Pace e Bene!

Fra Chris


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Sunday, November 06, 2011

Are You "Searching" For Jesus?

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We need to raise $120,000 to duplicate this Portiuncula Chapel
at the Franciscan University of Steubenville

What if the Portiuncula Hermitage earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or what if a percentage of every purchase you made on-line went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half of its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

Although this may not sound like a lot of money, if only 1000 of our supporters use GoodSearch.com just 5 times per day for the year, the Portiuncula Hermitage would receive over $18,000 towards its mission of spreading God's love!

It's easy. Just Click on the GoodSearch Icon below and download the GoodSearch Toolbar – Then type "Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage and Retreat Center" into the toolbar:


Website owners can also help by adding a customizable badge to their homepage or blog.

So please, make a commitment to browsing the Internet with GoodSearch.com with the Portiuncula Hermitage as your designated charity. Set it as your homepage, or bookmark it so using it becomes a habit.

As well, you can earn money for the Portiuncula Hermitage by doing your online shopping through GoodShop.com. It is a new online shopping mall which will donate up to 37 percent of each purchase to the Portiuncula Hermitage. Hundreds of popular stores, including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop.com and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting our valuable mission.

By simply surfing the web with GoodSearch.com and shopping with GoodShop.com you can raise much-needed funds for the Portiuncula Hermitage!

PLEASE FORWARD THIS PRAYER REQUEST TO
EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

Pax Et Bonum!


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What It Means To Be Catholic

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St. Joseph's Shop in Batesville, Indiana Is Now Offering MYSTIC MONK COFFEE

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St. Joseph's Shop
Northside Avenue
(off 229 behind Dotty's Bulk Basket)
Batesville, Indiana
(812) 932-1286


St. Joseph's Shop is pleased to announce they are selling our
MYSTIC MONK COFFEE



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Saturday, October 29, 2011

We Must Make Time To Be Alone

 

The woods above Eremo, Italy
If you wish to grow in your spiritual life, you must not allow yourself to be caught up in the workings of the world; you must find time alone, away from the noise and confusion, away from the allure of power and wealth.

THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
THOMAS A KEMPIS

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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Rise Immediately To Pray



"If the servant of God, as may happen, is disturbed in any way, he should rise immediately to pray and he should remain in the presence of the heavenly Father until he restores unto him the joy of salvation."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
Chapter LXXXIX

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Saturday, October 15, 2011

How The Third Order (Seculars) Are To Dress


"The men belonging to this brotherhood (Third Order of Franciscans) shall dress... in humble, undyed cloth, the price of which is not to exceed six Ravenna soldi en ell, unless evident and necessary cause a temporary dispensation be given.

The sisters in turn shall wear an outer garment and tunic made of cloth of the same price and humble quality"...

Saint Francis of Assisi
FIRST RULE OF THE THIRD ORDER of 1221 A.D.

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Thursday, October 13, 2011

Retreat with Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM

 
 
"St. Francis' Song of Gratitude"

 November 18-20

 Sisters of St. Francis
Oldenburg, Indiana

This is a perfect opportunity to pause and prepare our hearts for the winter holidays, warmly kindled by St. Francis' ways of Gratitude!

RSVP - email: center@oldenburgosf.com
 
 
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Saint Francis Began A Lay Movement Within The Catholic Church



"Once when blessed Dominic and blessed Francis were together in the presence of the Lord Cardinal of Ostia, who later became Pope, Francis said to the Cardinal, "My Lord, my friars have already been raised to a noble state if they will only realize it; and so far as I am able, I will never permit them to obtain any shadow of dignity." Francis then bowed low to the Cardinal and said, "My Lord, my friars are called Minors so that they may not presume to become greater. Their vocation teaches them to remain in a humble place, and to follow in the footsteps of Christ's humility, so that by this means they may at last be exalted above others in the eyes of the Saints."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 43

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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Wounded In The Most Exquisite Way

Bernini's Saint Teresa of Avila


"And as clearly as it hears a thunderclap, even though no sound is heard, the soul understands that it was called by God...It feels that it is wounded in the most exquisite way...It knows clearly that the wound is something precious, and it would never want to be cured...The wound satisfies it much more than the delightful and painless absorption of the prayer of quiet...a whisper so penetrating that the sould cannot help but hear it."

Saint Teresa of Avila

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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

In The Dark Recesses Of Our Own Hearts



"My friend, the fire often burns, but the flame does not ascend without the smoke. So, too, some people have a burning desire for heavenly things, but they are not yet free from feelings rooted deeply in the dark recesses of their own hearts." 

Thomas A Kempis
The Immitation of Christ

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Thursday, October 06, 2011

How Secret Wisdom Is A Ladder

St. Francis of Assisi seen climbing the Monk's Ladder

"This secret wisdom can also be called a ladder because the same steps are used to ascend and descend. The transmissions that come through secret contemplation both raise he soul up to God and humble her to herself. On the path to God, to rise up is to drop down. She who humbles herself is exalted while she who exalts herself is humbled. God draws the soul high so that it can be submerged, and He lowers her so that she can be lifted back up to Him."

St. John of the Cross
Dark Night of the Soul

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Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Saint Francis of Assisi, 'giant of holiness,' honored October 4th


On Oct. 4, Roman Catholics celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the Italian deacon who brought renewal to the Church through his decision to follow Jesus' words as literally as possible.


In a January 2010 general audience, Pope Benedict XVI recalled this "giant of holiness" as a "great saint and a joyful man," who taught the Church that "the secret of true happiness" is "to become saints, close to God."
The future Saint Francis was born on an uncertain date in the early 1180s, one of the several children born to the wealthy merchant Pietro Bernardone and his wife Pica. He originally received the name Giovanni (or John), but became known as Francesco (or Francis) by his father's choice.
Unlike many medieval saints, St. Francis was neither studious nor pious in his youth. His father's wealth gave him access to a lively social life among the upper classes, where he was known for his flashy clothes and his readiness to burst into song. Later a patron of peacemakers, he aspired to great military feats in his youth and fought in a war with a rival Italian city-state.
A period of imprisonment during that conflict turned his mind toward more serious thoughts, as did a recurring dream that suggested his true "army" was not of this world. He returned to Assisi due to illness in 1205, and there began consider a life of voluntary poverty.

Three major incidents confirmed Francis in this path. In Assisi, he overcame his fear of disease to kiss the hand of a leper. Afterward, he made a pilgrimage to Rome, where he deposited his money at Saint Peter's tomb and exchanged clothes with a beggar. Soon after he returned home, Francis heard Christ tell him in a vision: "Go, Francis, and repair my house, which as you see is falling into ruin."

Francis began to use his father's wealth to restore churches. This led to a public quarrel in which the cloth-merchant's son removed his clothing and declared that he had no father except God. He regarded himself as the husband of "Lady Poverty," and resolved to serve Christ as "a herald of the Great King."

During the year 1208, the "herald" received the inspiration that would give rise to the Franciscan movement. At Mass one morning, he heard the Gospel reading in which Christ instructed the apostles to go forth without money, shoes, or extra clothing. This way of life soon became a papally-approved rule, which would attract huge number of followers within Francis' own lifetime.

Through his imitation of Christ, Francis also shared in the Lord's sufferings. He miraculously received Christ's wounds, the stigmata, in his own flesh during September of 1224. His health collapsed over the next two years, a "living sacrifice" made during two decades of missionary preaching and penance.

St. Francis of Assisi died on Oct. 3, 1226. Pope Gregory IX, his friend and devotee, canonized him in 1228.

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Monday, October 03, 2011

When The Time OF Death Was At Hand



When therefore St. Francis had rested for a few days in a place he greatly longed to be in and realized the time of death was at hand, he called to him two brothers and spiritual sons and commanded them to sing in a loud voice with joy of spirit the Praises of the Lord over his approaching death, or rather, over the life that was so near.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Celano, First Life
CHAPTER VIII


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Sunday, October 02, 2011

October 3rd - the "Transitus" (Death) of St. Francis of Assisi



Francis began THE CANTICLE OF BROTHER SUN in the summer of 1225, at a time indeed when he was deep in suffering, but when he had already attained the mystical heights in his experience on Mount La Verna. But the joy he had experienced in that great privilege was tempered by the thought of how many men were greatly offending their Creator by misusing the creature world God had given them. "For His praise," he said, "I want to compose a new hymn about the Lord's creatures, of which we make daily use, without which we cannot live, and with which the human race greatly offends its Creator."

The first part of the Canticle, up to the verses about pardon and peace, he composed in the garden of the Poor Clare's convent at San Damiano, where he lay sick and in intense suffering for six or seven weeks. He then composed a melody for it and frequently urged his brothers to sing it when they were out preaching. The second part, consisting of the next two verses about pardon and peace, he composed a short time later in an effort to restore peace between the quarreling parties in a dispute between the civil and religious authorities of Assisi. The final verses about Sister Death Francis added shortly before his own death, after Brother Leo and Brother Angelo had sung the Canticle at his request. Celano adds that his last words were: "Welcome, my Sister Death."

St. Francis of Assisi
Omnibus of Sources
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October 3 - The "Transitus" (Death) of St. Francis of Assisi






Saturday, October 01, 2011

The Canticle of the Creatures by St. Francis of Assisi

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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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Feast Day of St. Theresa of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church

"Draw me, we will run..." 

To ask to be drawn is to will intimate union with the object which holds the heart captive. If fire and iron were gifted with reason, and that the latter said to the fire: "Draw me," would not this prove that it desired to become identified with the fire even so far as to share its substance? Well, that is exactly my prayer. I beg of Jesus to draw me into the flames of His Love, to unite me so closely to Himself that He may live and act in me. I feel that the more the fire of love inflames my heart, the more I shall say: "Draw me," the more also will the souls who draw near to mine run swiftly in the fragrant odors of the Well-Beloved.

Saint Theresa
(the "Little Flower")
Story of A Soul
Chapter XI

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