"CUM GRANDE HUMILITATE!"
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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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Obtaining The Treasure Of Heaven

The road to San Damiano

Brother Bernard of Quintavalle, after he had taken the habit of St. Francis, was very rapt in God by the contemplation of heavenly things.

Thus one time it happened that while he was attending Mass in a church and his whole mind was on God, he became so absorbed and rapt in contemplation that during the Elevation of the Body of Christ he was not at all aware of it and did not kneel down when the others knelt, and he did not draw back his cowl as did the others who were there, but he stayed motionless, without blinking his eyes, gazing straight ahead, from morning until none.

But after none he came back to himself and went through the Place shouting in a voice filled with wonder: "Oh, Brothers! Oh, Brothers! Oh, Brothers! There is no man in all this country, no matter how great and noble he is, who, if he were promised a very beautiful palace full of gold, would not willingly carry a sack full of the most filthy manure in order to obtain heaven, that very noble treasure!"

Saint Francis of Assisi
Little Flowers of St. Francis - 28

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A Simple Man

The hermitage of St. Eleutherius in the district of Rieti

In those days, Blessed Francis was living at the hermitage of St. Eleutherius, not far from Contigliano, in the district of Rieti. An inner voice said to him: "In you I did not choose a scholar nor an orator to govern my religious family, but I wanted a simple man so that you and the others may know that I am the one who watches over my flock."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 85

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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Francis Takes Poverty For His Bride

Fresco by Giotto: Allegory, Francis takes Poverty for his Bride

Francis began to go about in the streets and crossings of the city, relentlessly, like a persistent hunter, diligently seeking whom his heart loved. He inquired of those standing about, he questioned those who came near him, saying: "Have you seen her whom my heart loves?" But this saying was hidden from them, as though it were in a foreign language.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Sacrum Commercium

Chapter I

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Francis Forgives His Brothers

Fresco by Giotto (one of the early followers of St. Francis)

As Francis lay dying, he said to one of the brothers, "Behold, my son, I am called by God; I forgive my brothers, both present and absent, all their offenses and faults, and, in so far as I am able, I absolve them; I want you to announce this to them and to bless them all on my behalf."


Saint Francis of Assisi

Celano, First Life
CHAPTER VIII
Bold

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Monday, September 28, 2009

St. Francis Prepared For His Death

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


il Cantico delle Creature
(The Canticle of the Creatures - St. Francis of Assisi)

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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Come Celebrate The Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi


The Richmond Franciscan Community
Invites Everyone To Join Us !!!

Saturday

October 3rd

St. Mary's
701 North “A” Street
Richmond, IN

From 5:30-6:00 P.M.

Immediately following the Celebration of St. Francis's life, there will be a Pitch-In dinner in the basement of Seton East. Everyone is invited to bring their favorite covered dish.


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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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Francis Went Home To The Portiuncula To Die


Francis asked to be brought to St. Mary of the Portiuncula, so that he might yield up his spirit where he had first received the spirit of grace.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Major Life
Chapter XIV

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Sunday, September 27, 2009

Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley Comments on New Franciscan Constitution


"The present constitutions emerged from a long process and the hard work of commissions and General Chapters. We also had the advantage of the newly composed Constitutions of the OFMs and the scholarly work of the legendary Father Cajetan Esser, O.F.M. Each Chapter of the present Capuchin Constitutions adopted a format which takes the Revelation of the Church and then Francis’ genius and then our fraternity and then develops the topic of the Chapter. It is a wonderfully constructed ecclesial vision of religious life and Franciscan spirituality. It locates us in the context of the Church and not as a sideshow of charismatic wonder.

"Capitular fathers were grateful to the fine work of the Italian Friar Guiseppe Santorelli from the Province of Ancora who helped incorporate more of the original Capuchin constitutions into the new Constitutions. All in all the Chapters that worked on the Constitutions did a remarkable job. I was present for some of those Chapters as a lowly translator and witnessed firsthand the hard work of the Capitulars.


"The new Constitutions despite its many strengths does have some flaws in my opinion. It is my hope that the call to re-look at the Constitutions might address some of these concerns:

• The new Constitutions dropped too much of our life of penance and the contemplative side of our life.
• The new Constitutions fail to give a clear formula for living a life of poverty “with explanations.”
• The new Constitutions favor generalities to honor an ill-conceived notion of pluriformity that has robbed the Constitutions of its fire.
• The new Constitutions needed to say more about the friars’ love for the Church and the fidelity to her moral and dogmatic teaching. Francis was so devoted to the Church, despite all the defects and shortcomings of the clergy and leadership.
•Our Constitutions should not be a bland description of how we are living our vocation in the 3rd millennium, but rather a description of how we should be living our life in a concrete program of radical poverty, radical prayer, radical love. Constitutions should not be easily tempered with. Performance and stability are important to inspire people with a sense of awe and seriousness. In today’s world young people see how everything is expendable, “throw-away.” Technology has created a world where everything is experimental or obsolete.

"The Constitutions are our identity as Capuchins and need to be firmly grounded in our history. We do not need a document that is modern and trendy that will soon seem dated and passe.

"Conclusion:

"Capuchin Identity is safeguarded by the Constitutions only in as much as it inspires us to live the Rule and Testament in a radical way. Generalities will never do. The Gospel Life of the Capuchin Brotherhood is about radical love. It is a life that begins with contemplative prayer. This allows one to imitate the self-emptying of Christ’s kenosis and leads to a radical witness that invites people to renounce the extreme individualism and materialism of our age in order to follow Christ poor and crucified.

"Some people are advocating removing some of the concrete directives on prayer that are in the Constitutions and place them in the Ordinances. This would be a fatal mistake. The ordinances are unknown and irrelevant to most of the friars. The Rule and Constitutions will always be the documents that form us and teach us our identity. The Constitutions cannot be a weak exhortation to live a vague ideal of the most common denominator. Rather, the Constitutions should be a challenging document that incorporates concrete directives about the life of prayer, poverty, and austerity. We need more boldness in our Constitutions if we are going to inspire young men to join our ranks.

"If we embrace or institutionalize a comfortable, bourgeois life style, the Order will die out, no matter how much lip service we give to a liberal social agenda. Our way of life lived in all its radical renunciation is capable of producing men whose witness of prayer, poverty and love will help transform society by calling people back to God, calling them to come home to the Church, by helping people to have a sense of personal vocation and to be part of a communal mission.

"It is my conviction that the contemplative aspects of our life should be addressed first of all. The Capuchin charism begins with the eremitical emphasis of the first friars as reflected in the document of Albacena, the subsequent Constitutions elaborate more on ministry and mission. The point of departure however is the contemplative basis of our vocation. When the life of prayer is carefully delineated, then the other aspects of our life take shape. The centrality of the Eucharist and mental prayer needs to be very clear. Daily celebration of a communal Eucharist, two periods of meditation, and the communal praying of the entire liturgy of the hours needs to be enshrined in the Constitutions as a bare minimum. To leave that up to local communities to legislate is too risky. By leaving things out of the Constitutions we are sending a signal that they are not really important and we encourage a take it or leave it attitude.

"The subjective mood, weak exhortations and mild recommendations do not communicate the sense of urgency that Francis wants to communicate in the Rule. It is a matter of life and death. St. Paul says no one will follow an uncertain trumpet blast. Our legislation should not be an exercise in subtleties. The directives about prayer and poverty need to be concrete, airtight and unyielding."

Cardinal Sean O'Malley

http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/

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La Morte di Francisco (Transitus)



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Carried Half Dead Through Towns And Villages


First Lesson: Francis now hung body and soul upon the Cross with Christ; the fervor of his seraphic love raised him up to God and he was consumed with zeal for souls, so that he shared his Lord's thirst for their salvation. He could no longer walk because of the nails protruding from his feet, and so had himself carried, half-dead as he was, about the towns and villages.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Bonaventure, Minor Life

CHAPTER VI


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Saturday, September 26, 2009

Seek Out Solitary And Wild Places

Portiuncula Pond

"For a matter as intimate as converse with God, one should choose that place which least occupies and most transcends the human side of our natures. And then it must not be a place that is pleasant and delectable to our feelings (such as some habitually contrive to find) for, so instead of the recollection of the spirit in God, naught is achieved but recreation and pleasure and feelings of delight. Therefore, that place is good which is solitary, and even wild, so that the spirit wholly and directly soars upward to God, not hindered nor detained by visible things: for even though these sometimes help to raise the spirit, that is better done by at once forgetting them and resting in God."

St. John of the Cross
The Ascent of Mount Carmel

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Voice of the Innocents Fall Conference "HEALING OF THE HEART"



Saturday, October 24, 2009

East Central High School

St. Leon, Indiana


Voice of the Innocents, Inc., invites you to a conference on

"Healing of the Heart"

* Exposing the lies that bind us
* Breaking destructive soul ties
* Finding freedom from false judgments
* Healing from rejection and abuse
* Restoring lost innocence
* Living in the Father's love and blessing


Doors open at 7:30 a.m.

Speakers:

Deacon Ralph Poyo

Fr. Gregory Bramlage

Dr. Susan Stanford-Rue

(Author of: "Will I Cry Tomorrow? Healing Post-Abortion Trauma)


Condensed Schedule of the Day:
* Why Are We Afraid to Walk in Faith by Deacon Ralph Poyo
* Holy Mass
* Recovering Your Stolen Identity by Fr. Gregory Bramlage
* Restoring Lost Innocence by Deacon Ralph Poyo
* Laying on of Hands
* Eucharistic Procession
* Miracle Hour



Call (812) 623-8007 for more information.To download a full brochure/registration form, visitwww.HealingthroughthePowerofJesusChrist.org



Please drop by the

Portiuncula Hermitage Table

for

Prayers for God's Healing Touch

and for a cup of our

Mystic Monk Coffee!!!





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The Eremitical Way Of Life

An early Franciscan Skete

For many change the place of contemplation into a place of idleness and change the eremitical way of life, which was devised for the perfecting of souls, into a cesspool of pleasure. The norm for such hermits of the present time is to live as each one pleases...Would that the hermits of our time would not fall away from the primitive beauty, the praise of the righteousness of which remains forever.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CXXXVI

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Our Sister Birds

One time when Francis was walking with another friar in the Venetian marshes, they came upon a huge flock of birds, singing among the reeds. When he saw them, the saint said to his companion, "Our sisters the birds are praising their Creator. We will go in among them and sing God's praise, chanting the Divine Office." They went in among the birds which remained where they were, so that the friars could not hear themselves saying the Office, they were making so much noise. Eventually Francis turned to them and said, "My sisters, stop singing until we have given God the praise to which He has a right." The birds were silent immediately and remained that way until Francis gave them permission to sing again, after they had taken plenty of time to say the Office and had finished their praises. Then the birds began again as usual.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Major Life
CHAPTER VIII

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Friday, September 25, 2009

A Tunic That Bore A Likeness To The Cross

The original tunic worn by St. Francis

Francis designed for himself a tunic that bore a likeness to the cross, that by means of it he might beat off all temptations of the devil; he designed a very rough tunic so that it might crucify the flesh with all its vices and sins, he designed a very poor tunic, one that would not excite the covetousness of the world.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life
Chapter IX


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The Early Portiuncula Skete

The early Portiuncula Skete in Assisi

Francis went to a place called the Portiuncula, where there stood a church of the Blessed Virgin Mother of God that had been built in ancient times, but was now deserted and cared for by no one. When the holy man of God saw how it was thus in ruins, he was moved with pity, because he burned with devotion toward the mother of all good; and he began to live there in great zeal.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life
Chapter IX

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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Please Help Build The Portiuncula Chapel

Photobucket

Photo of the Portiuncula Chapel at the
Franciscan University of Steubenville


To duplicate 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: hermitage@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 challenge you to become a partner in the Portiuncula's mission to build the Portiuncula Chapel by donating $5, $10, $25, $50, or more.

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!





Fra Chris


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Fr. Stan Fortuna (Fanciscan Monk) at Franciscan University of Steubenville Youth Conference

Franciscan University of Steubenville Youth Conference

Holy Simplicity

Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R., of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother

For holy simplicity had so filled them, innocence of life was so instructing them, purity of heart so possessed them, that they knew nothing of duplicitous mind.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life

CHAPTER XVII

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The Vow Of Obedience


A friar is not bound to obey if a minister commands anything that is contrary to our life or his own conscience, because there can be no obligation to obey if it means committing sin.

Saint Francis of Assisi
THE RULE OF 1221

Chapter 4

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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Fr. Stan Fortuna (Franciscan Monk) at Franciscan University of Steubenville Youth Conference





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Clothing Ourselves In The Habit Of Religion

Franciscan Monastery

"In the end, however, there arose among us some who were not of us, certain children of Belial, speaking vain things, doing evil things, saying they were poor when they were not; and me, whom the noblest men loved with all their heart - about whom I have already spoken - they spurned and defiled, following the way of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing, men corrupt in mind and bereft of truth, supposing godliness to be gains, men who, clothing themselves with the habit of religion, did not put on the new man, but merely covered over the old."

Saint Francis of Assisi

Sacrum Commercium
CHAPTER IV
Lady Poverty Continues to Speak


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Holiness Should Be Known Only To God


"Behold my Knights of the Round Table: the brothers who hide in abandoned and secluded places to devote themselves with more fervor to prayer and meditation, to weep over their sins and those of others. Their holiness is known to God, but most often unknown to the brothers and men."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 71

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Weapons

The brothers and sisters are not to take up lethal weapons, or bear them about, against anybody.

Saint Francis of Assisi
THE RULE OF THE THIRD ORDER (1221)
Chapter V

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Honor All Priest With Special Respect


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 priest who were ministers of the sacraments.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions - 57


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Monday, September 21, 2009

"Come To The Quiet" Retreat At The Portiuncula Hermitage


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


Dear Christian Brothers,

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 Portiuncula will become a haven for those who need a fresh touch of God. I will return soon to restore my soul with peace. Join me in supporting the Portiuncula project by attending a retreat weekend of fasting, prayer, brotherhood and silence in the Franciscan Tradition.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Tom Ringenberg
Centerville, IN

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Sweeping Churches

St. Sylvester Woodsfield, Ohio

When blessed Francis was living at St. Mary of the Portiuncula and as yet had but a few brothers, he sometimes traveled through the hamlets and visited churches in the vicinity of Assisi, proclaiming and preaching repentance to men. He brought along a broom to clean the churches.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 18

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Resplendent Poverty


Photo of the Tunic worn by St. Francis at the time of his death

One day Francis met a beggar on the road and when he saw how poorly dressed he was, his heart was touched and he exclaimed sorrowfully to his companion, "His poverty puts us to shame. We have chosen poverty as our wealth and look, it is more resplendent in him."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Major Life
CHAPTER VII

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Sunday, September 20, 2009

Mystic Monk Coffee: A Perfect Holiday Gift!


Have it shipped anywhere in the world!


Order Mystic Monk Coffee Through The Portiuncula And Donate To Birthright (A Loving Alternative To Abortion)


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 Left Side of this page.


Have it shipped anywhere in the world!


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Ladola Capellata (the Hooded Lark)


http://www.tropicalbirding.com/tripReports/TR_SouthIndia_Nov2006/WEB-Malabar-Lark--Goa.jpg

Above all birds, St. Francis loved the little lark, known in the language of the country as lodola capellata (the hooded lark). He used to say, "Sister lark has a hood like a Religious and is a humble bird, for she walks contentedly along the road to find grain, and even if she finds it among the rubbish, she pecks it out and eats it. As she flies she praises God very sweetly, like good Religious who despise earthly things, whose minds are set on the things of heaven, and whose constant purpose is to praise God. Her plumage resembles the earth, and she sets an example for to Religious not to wear fine and gaudy clothing, but cloth of a humble price3 and colour, just as earth is inferior to the other elements."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 113

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Intoxicated By Love And Compassion For Christ


Intoxicated by love and compassion for Christ, blessed Francis sometimes used to act in ways like these. For the sweetest of spiritual melodies would often well up within him and found expression in French melodies, and the murmurs of God's voice, heard by him alone, would joyfully pour forth in the French tongue. Sometimes he would pick up a stick from the ground, and laying it on his left arm, he would draw another stick across it with his right hand like a bow, as though he were playing a viol or some other instrument; and he would imitate the movements of a musician and sing in French to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Mirror of Perfection - 93


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A True Religious Spirit


St. Francis used to say that we should feel sorry for a preacher who sought his own glory in his work and not the good of his listeners, or who destroyed by the example of his bad life what he had accomplished by his teaching. Such a man is devoid of any true religious spirit. He maintained that an ordinary friar with no claim to eloquence was in a better position because he encouraged others to do good by his good example.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Bonaventure, Major Life

CHAPTER VIII

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Friday, September 18, 2009

After Receiving The Blessing of The Bishop


When the friars have received the blessing of the Bishop, let them go and mark out the boundaries of the land which they have accepted for their house, and as a sign of holy poverty and humility, let them plant a hedge instead of building a wall. Afterwards let them erect simple little huts of clay and wood, and a number of cells where the friars can pray and work from time to time in order to increase their merit and avoid idleness.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 10

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Prayers At The Portiuncula


All are daily to say the seven canonical Hours, that is, Matins, Prime, Terce, Sext, Vespers, and Compline. The clerics are to say them after the manner of the clergy. Those who know the Psalter are to say the Deus ion nomine tuo and the Beati immaculati up to the Legem pone for Prime, and the other psalms of the Hours, with the Glory be to the Father.

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


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Thursday, September 17, 2009

Georgiana Gibson

St. Francis exhorted death itself, terrible and hateful to all, to give praise, and going joyfully to meet it, he invited it to make its lodging with him. "Welcome," he said, "my sister death."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CLXIII

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When God Reveals His Secrets


"Brother, remember that when God reveals his secrets to you, it is not for yourself alone; they are intended for others too. If you hide something which is intended to do good to many others, you have every reason to fear that you will be condemned for burying the talenty given to you."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Major Life
CHAPTER XIII

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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

It's Not Right To Show A Sad And Gloomy Face


Always do your best to be cheerful then you are with me and the other brethren; it is not right for a servant of God to show a sad and gloomy face to his brother or to anyone else.


Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 96

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Crying And Moaning Over The Passion Of My Lord!


One day, just a few years after his conversion, he was foll0wing the road that passes near St. Mary of the Portiuncula and, as he was walking by himself, he was lamenting and weeping out loud. A spiritual man, whom we know well and who reported it to us, met him at this time. This han had been very kind to the saint and had consoled him before he even had one brother and continued to do so. He said to him: "What is the matter, brother?" He thought that he was suffering from some infirmity. Blessed Francis answered: "I ought to travel through the whole world, crying and moaning without any false shame over the passion of my Lord!" The man began to cry with him and wept bitterly.


Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 37

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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Voice of the Innocents Fall Conference "HEALING OF THE HEART"



East Central High School

St. Leon, Indiana


Voice of the Innocents, Inc., invites you to a conference on

"Healing of the Heart"

* Exposing the lies that bind us
* Breaking destructive soul ties
* Finding freedom from false judgments
* Healing from rejection and abuse
* Restoring lost innocence
* Living in the Father's love and blessing


Doors open at 7:30 a.m.

Speakers: Deacon Ralph Poyo

Fr. Gregory Bramlage


Condensed Schedule of the Day:
* Why Are We Afraid to Walk in Faith by Deacon Ralph Poyo
* Holy Mass
* Recovering Your Stolen Identity by Fr. Gregory Bramlage
* Restoring Lost Innocence by Deacon Ralph Poyo
* Laying on of Hands
* Eucharistic Procession
* Miracle Hour



Call (812) 623-8007 for more information.To download a full brochure/registration form, visitwww.HealingthroughthePowerofJesusChrist.org



Drop by the

Portiuncula Table

for a cup of

Mystic Monk Coffee!!!





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The Food Of Angels


Whenever he had the opportunity, he went begging on the principal feasts of the year; as he remarked, the words of the Psalmist, "Man should eat the food of angels" (Psalm 77:25) are fulfilled in God's poor, because the bread of angels is that which has been begged for love of God and given at the inspiration of the angels, and gathered from door to door by holy poverty.


Saint Francis of Assisi

Bonaventure, Major Life

Chapter VII


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Monday, September 14, 2009

Do Not Be Angry Or Upset Over Sinners

Assisi

We must be careful not to be angry or upset because a brother or sister has fallen into sin, because anger or annoyance in themselves or in others makes it difficult to be charitable.


Saint Francis of Assisi
THE RULE OF 1223
Chapter 7

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Despising Simplicity And Poverty

Assisi

Now for some time this purity and perfection are beginning to change for the worse, and the brothers excuse themselves by saying that numbers run counter to observance; many even believe that the people are more edified by this new way of life and that it is more fitting to conduct oneself in this way. They despise the way of simplicty and of poverty, which, neverhteless, was the sourse and basis of our Order.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 75

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Sunday, September 13, 2009

Make My Heart Your Dwelling Place


We should make a dwelling-place within ourselves where the He can stay, He who is the Lord God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Saint Francis of Assisi
THE RULE OF 1221
Chapter 22

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That Most Precious Vessel


But since according to the laws of nature and the constitution of man it is necessary that our outer man decay day by day, though the inner man is being renewed, that most precious vessel in which the heavenly treasure was hidden began to break up and to suffer the loss of all its powers.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Celano, First Life
CHAPTER IV

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Saturday, September 12, 2009

Please Help Build The Portiuncula Chapel


Photobucket

Photo of the Portiuncula Chapel at the
Franciscan University of Steubenville


To duplicate 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: hermitage@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 challenge you to become a partner in the Portiuncula's mission to build the Portiuncula Chapel by donating $5, $10, $25, $50, or more.

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!





Fra Chris


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First Draw From Secret Prayers


The preacher must first draw from secret prayers what he will later pour out in holy sermons; he must first grow hot within before he speaks words that are in themselves cold.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life

CHAPTER CXXXI

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