Withdrawing Into Solitude To Pray

la Sanctuario il Poverello d'Assisi

Francis said: "When the Lord withdrew into solitude to pray and fast for forty days and nights, he did not have a cell or a house built for himself but he took shelter under a rock of the mountain." That is why, following his example, he refused to have either a house or a cell on this earth and forbade that one be built for him.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 13

T

Gloomy Hypocrites

Anyone who comes to the brothers, friend or enemy, thief or robber, is to be received with kindness. And wherever the brothers are and anywhere they meet other brothers, they are to greet one another wholeheartedly and lovingly, and honor on another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9). And they are to be careful not to look outwardly sad, like gloomy hypocrites, but they are to show themselves happy in the Lord (Philippians 4:4), and cheerful and truly gracious.

St.Francis
Rule of 1221
Chapter VII

T

This Is Your Vocation

The peace which you proclaim with words must dwell even more abundantly in your hearts. Do not provoke others to anger or give scandal. Rather, let your gentleness draw them to peace, goodness, and concord. This is your vocation: to heal wounds, to bind what is broken, to bring home those who are lost. And remember that many who may now seem to be of the devil can one day become disciples of Christ.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions, 58

T

Guard Against Pride And Empty Boasting

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

T

Be Humble And Peaceful And Jesus Will Be With You

To know how to talk to Jesus is a great art, and to know how to cling to Him is great wisdom. Be humble and peaceful and Jesus will be with you; be devout and quiet and he will remain with you. You will quickly drive Him away and lose His grace, though, if you divert your attenion to your own affairs at His expense...It is better to have the whole world against us than to hurt Jesus.

Thomas A Kempis

The Immitation of Christ

T

Beware of False Apparitions or "Visons"

Brother Rufino, once one of the great noblemen of Assisi, had become a companion of Francis. One day the devil appeared to him in the form of the Crucified Christ, telling him not to believe anything told to him by the 'son of Peter Bernardone' (St. Francis of Assisi), and whoever follows him is deceived.

But the Holy Spirit revealed all this to Brother Masseo and he perceived great peril for Brother Rufino and sent him to see St. Francis immediately and tell him of his vision.

Upon telling Francis of his vision, our Seraphic Father kindly showed Rufino that the vision was the devil and not Christ, and therefore he should in no way consent to his suggestions. "You should also have known that he was the devil because he hardened your heart to everything that is good, for that is exactly his job," said Francis

"The next time the devil speaks to you," St. Francis said, "answer him confidently, 'Open your mouth - and I will Sh*t [empty my bowels] in it!' And let it be a sign to you that he is the devil and he will immediately go away."

When Brother Rufino did as St. Francis instructed, the devil angrily went away with such a commotion and fall of rocks around Mount Subasio that a great mass of stones hurtled down for a long while.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Little Flowers of St. Francis - 29

T

Saint Francis Did Not Preach Watered Down "Touchy-Feely" Sermons

Francis, therefore, the most valiant knight of Christ, went about the towns and villages announcing the kingdom of God, preaching peace, teaching salvation and penance unto the remission of sins, not in the persuasive words of human wisdom, but with the learning and power of the Spirit. He acted boldly in all things, because of the apostolic authority granted to him, using no words of flattery or seductive blandishments. He did not know how to make light of the faults of others, but he knew well how to cut them out; neither did he encourage the life of sinners, but he struck hard at them with sharp reproof, for he had first convinced himself by practicing himself what he wished to persuade others to do by his words...

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life
CHAPTER XV

T

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

T

Padre Pio On The Movement To "Modernize" The Franciscan Order

Saint Padre Pio's reactions to the aggiornamento (literally "bringing up to date" or "Modernizing" it) the religious orders concocted in the wake of Vatican II:

In 1966, the Father General [of the Franciscans] came to Rome prior to the special Chapter on the Constitutions in order to ask Padre Pio for his prayers and benedictions. He met Padre Pio in the cloister. "Padre, I came to recommend to your prayers the special chapter for the new Constitutions..." He had scarcely gotten the words "special Chapter"..."new Constitutions" out of his mouth when Padre Pio made a violent gesture and cried out: "That is all nothing but destructive nonsense." "But Padre, after all, there is the younger generation to take into account... the youth evolve after their own fashion... there are new demands..." "The only thing missing is mind and heart, that’s all, understanding and love." Then he proceeded to his cell, did a half-turn, and pointed his finger, saying: "We must not denature ourselves, we must not denature ourselves! At the Lord’s judgment, St. Francis will not recognize us as his sons!"

Saint Padre Pio

T

Obedience

A legend from the friary at Monte Casale: Here every year the brethren plant a cabbage in the garden and let it flower to remind them of the time the saint bade two young brothers plant some cabbage plants upside down. One did, but the other knew better and planted his right side up. St. Francis dismissed the second brother, for, he said, it had been a test of obedience, not of planting cabbages.

Saint Francis of Assisi

T

Forgiveness

"Let there be no one who has sinned, no matter how seriously, who would not look into your eyes seeking forgiveness, and go away without it. And should they not seek forgiveness, you should ask them if they want it. And if after that they were to sin a thousand times, even before your eyes, love them more than me, for this is how you will draw them to the Lord; and always have mercy on such as these."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Letter to a Minister

T

Bear Everything With Patience And Humilty

You will encounter some who are faithful, meek and well disposed; they will joyfully receive you and your words. But there will be more who are skeptical, proud, and blasphemous, and who will insult you and resist your message. Prepare yourselves, therefore, to bear everything with patience and humility.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Legend of the Three Companions - 36

T

Love For God Alone

T 

 

One thing I must tell you. This blind impulse of love towards God for himself alone, this secret love beating on the cloud of unknowing, is more profitable for the salvation of your soul, more worthy in itself, and more pleasing to God, and to all the saints and angels in heaven; yes and of more use to all your friends both bodily and spiritually, whether they are alive or dead. And it is better for you to experience this spiritually in your affection than it is to have the eye of your soul opened in contemplation...

The Cloud of Unknowing
CHAPTER IX

T

How the Men of the Third Order of Franciscans are to Dress

T

Pattern for Cowl of St. Francis of Assisi

After Flury -Lembergh

This is a Monk's habit that once belonged to St. Francis of Assisi (d.1226). It is housed in Assisi, in the church of S. Francesco. It is made of an undyed fulled woolen twill, and is partially lined in linen. The actual garment is missing the left sleeve. There is a linen pocket sewn into the remaining sleeve. Several large holes in the garment have been patched, ostensibly by fabric cut from a cloak belonging to St. Clare.

• Garment Material Length (to the shoulder):126.5 cm (")
• Width at the top: 97 cm (")
• Width at the Bottom: 167 cm (")

Torso Material Thread Count

• Warp is 8 Z-spun threads/cm (21.6 threads per inch)
• Weft is 10 Z-spun theads/cm ( threads per inch)

Although this garment is identified as being a "cowl", it doesn't fit the definition of a cowl according to the OED in that it has sleeves and no hood. It is closer to what was generally called a "frock".

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

FIRST RULE OF THE THIRD ORDER
Chapter I

T

Going About The Countryside Weeping

When he was asked why he went about the countryside weeping, St. Francis said, "I should travel through all the world and, without any false shame, cry and moan over the passion of my Lord!"

Saint Francis of Assisi

Legend of Perugia

T

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST

Merciful Father, you love us so much that you sent your only Son Jesus, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Your love for us, dear Father, was shown to us by Jesus when He offered Himself as a victim on the altar of the cross for our salvation and when he instituted the Sacrament  of the Eucharits which is the same sacrifice of Calvary.

I believe, Lord Jesus, that You are really present and alive in the Eucharist and that You are always waiting for me in this Sacrament of love. Moved by your love for me, I offer myself entirely to You as a response of love to Your love.

I ask you, Lord Jesus, that by the power of the Holy Spirit You inflame my heart with the fire of Your love.  Draw me to You and transform me into Yourself every time I receive You in the Eucharits. Let me remain with You in worship You in this Sacrament of love. Let my love be an act of reparation for the sins of all humanity.

Mary, mother of Jesus and my mother, I ask you to be with me as I live faithfully this offering so that I can respond to your Son's invitation when He told us" Remain here, and watch with me" (Matthew 26:38).

Nihil obstat
die 8 Jan 2000
Jos. Lupi.
Cens. Theol.

Imprimi potest
Florianae, die 6 Jan. 2000
Fr. Crispinus Tabone
Min. Prov. O.F.M. Cap.

Imprimatur
Datum in Curia Archiep. Melit.
Florianae, die 10 Januarii 2000
T Annetto Depasquale
Ep. Tit. Araditan.
Vicarius Generalis

T 

"This Is My Body!"

 

 

This was the first Eucharist: the gift of God's Son establishing Mary as the first altar, the first tabernacle. Mary is the only one able to confirm in complete sincerity, "This is my body!"

 

As soon as Mary received the announcement from the angel, she went in haste to her cousin Elizabeth, who was with child. And the unborn child, John the Baptist, rejoiced in Elizabeth's womb. How wonderful it was...Almighty God chose an unborn child to announce the coming of His Son!

 

Pace e Bene!

 

T

Spiritual Communion

Saint Francis of Assisi tried to attend Mass every day where he would receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in Holy Communion. Whenever he was unable to receive Holy Communion, it was his practice to make a Spiritual Communion. He would say the following prayer:

"I believe that You, O Jesus, are in the most holy Sacrament. I love You and desire You. Come into my heart. I embrace You! Oh, never leave me. May the burning and most sweet power of Your love, O Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech You, absorb my mind that I may die through love of Your love, who were graciously pleased to die through love of my love."

Saint Francis of Assisi

T

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 CXXII

T

August 11th - the Feast Day of St. Clare of Assisi

"Because the vision of Christ is the splendor of eternal glory, the radiance of eternal light and the mirror without stain, look upon that mirror each day, O queen and spouce of Jesus Christ...Indeed, blessed poverty, holy humility, and ineffable charity are reflected in that mirror, and, with the grace of God, you can contemplate them throughout the entire mirror."

Fourth Letter of St. Clare to
Blessed Agnes of Prague

T

BEGGING FOR STONES: MONROE COUNTY, OHIO

T

Monroe County, Ohio Catholics are being asked to collect all their field stones and drop them off at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery on Ozark-Eddy Bridge Road so that we can duplicate this Portiuncula Chapel (pictured above)that is located at the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

"Francis set to begging for stones with which to restore the church of San Damiano. He called to the passers-by: 'Whoever gives me one stone will have one reward; two stones, two rewards; three stones, a treble reward!' "

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions
CHAPTER VII

Please note : We are begging our Catholic brothers and sisters in Monroe County, Ohio to round up all their field stones and dump them into the woods  to the South of the Immaculate Conception Cemetery on Ozark-Eddy Bridge Road (in the direction of the large white house towards Woodsfield). These stones will be used to build the Portiuncula Chapel.

T

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.

T

An Inflamed Wound

"In everything the soul does, in all the thoughts revolving inside her, in all her activities and in every event that arises, in her desire and in the suffering that comes from desire, the soul is loving God all the time, everywhere. She does not find peace anywhere. She feels this longing like an inflamed wound."

Saint John of the Cross

Dark Night of the Soul

T

Detractors Are Like A Snake-Bite

In Francis' eyes the vice of detraction in particular seemed to be the antithesis of the religious spirit and an enemy of grace. He had a horror of it, like a snake-bite or a deadly pest, and he declared that it was an abomination in God's sight because the detractor feeds on the blood of the souls which he kills with his tongue.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Bonaventure, Major Life

Chapter VIII

T

Elder Beerman Community Days 2011

"Oh, WOW! Check out these fantastic Elder Beerman coupons!"

What is Community Day?

Community Day is our annual fundraising event designed to provide Not-for-Profit organizations with a fun and easy way to raise money. Since 1999, the event has raised over $80 Million!

When is it?

Friday, November 11 at 9:00 A.M.

and

Saturday, November 12 at 06:00 A.M. 

(Elder-Beerman Stores will stay open late.)

How does it work?

The Portiuncula Hermitage sells a coupon booklet to the public for $5 each, keeping 100% of the proceeds! Each booklet contains coupons valid during our Community Day Two Day Sale beginning with a $10.00 off a purchase of $10.00 or more.  

What is in each booklet?

• All coupons now include Yellow Dot!
• 1- $10 off on a $10 or more item.
• NEW (1) 20%* off shopping pass — use the pass over and over
• 1- 30% Early bird coupon, valid 7am-10am
• 7- Bonus buys
• 3-Web Exclusive Offers

How do we get booklets?

Contact: Chris Dickson or Tom Ringenberg 

at the

The Portiuncula Hermitage 

Email: hermitage@parallax.ws

Cell Phone: 765.220.1623

Please remember:

the Portiuncula Hermitage 

tithes 10% of all their income to

BirthRight

(a loving alternative to Abortion)!

T

"For The Love Of God!"

Francis said that to offer the love of God to get an alms was a noble prodigality, and those who valued it less than money were most foolish indeed. He himself kept unfailingly to his death the resolution he made while he was still enmeshed in worldly things, namely, that he would never turn away anyone who asked an alms for the love of God.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Celano, Second Life

Chapter CXLVIII

T

No Friar May Preach Contrary To Church Law

No friar may preach contrary to Church law or without the permission of his minister. The minister, for his part, must be careful not to grant permission indiscriminately. All friars, however, should preach by their example.

Saint Francis of Assisi

The Rule of 1221

Chapter 17

T

The Praises of the Virtues

by Saint Francis of Assisi

Hail, Queen Wisdom! The Lord save you,

with your sister, pure, holy Simplicity.
Lady Holy Poverty, God keep you,
with your sister, holy Humility.
Lady Holy Love, God keep you,
with your sister, holy Obedience.
All holy virtues,
God keep you, God from Whom you proceed and come.
In all the world there is not a person
who can possess any one of you without first dying to themselves.
The person who practices one and does not offend against the others
possesses all;
The person who offends against one,
possesses none and violates all.
Each and every one of you
puts vice and sin to shame.
Holy Wisdom puts satan
and all his wiles to shame.
Pure and holy Simplicity puts
all the learning of this world, all natural wisdom, to shame.
Holy Poverty puts to shame
all greed, avarice, and all the anxieties of this life.
Holy Humility puts pride to shame,
and all the inhabitants of this world and all that is in the world.
Holy Love puts to shame all the temptations
of the devil and the flesh and all natural fear.
Holy Obedience puts to shame
all natural and selfish desires.
It mortifies our lower nature
and makes it obey the spirit and our fellow people.
Obedience subjects a person
to everyone on earth,
And not only to people,
but to all the beasts as well and to the wild animals,
So that they can do what they like with the person,
as far as God allows them.

-Saint Francis of Assisi

T

What Is the Wild Wolf In Your Life That Needs Taming?

It is marvelous to relate that as soon as St. Francis made the Sign of the Cross, the wolf of Gubbio closed its terrible jaws and stopped running, and as soon as he gave that order, it lowered its head and lay down at the Saint's feet, as though it had become a lamb.

And St. Francis said to it as it lay in front of him: "Brother Wolf, you have done great harm in this region, and you have committed horrible crimes by destroying God's creatures without any mercy. You have been destroying not only irrational animals, but you even have the more detestable brazenness to kill and devour human beings made in the image of God. You therefore deserve to be put to death just like the worst robber and murderer. Consequently, everyone is right in crying out against you and complaining, and this whole town is your enemy. But, Brother Wolf, I want to make peace between you and them, so that they will not be harmed by you anymore, and after they have forgiven you all your past crimes, neither men nor dogs will pursue you any more."

The wolf showed by moving its body and tail and ears and nodding its head that it willingly accepted what the Saint had said and would observe it.

So St. Francis spoke again: "Brother, Wolf, since you are willing to make and keep this peace pact, I promise you that I will have the people of this town give you food every day as long as you live, so that you will never again suffer hunger, for I know that whatever evil you have been doing was done because of the urge of hunger. But, my Brother Wolf, since I am obtaining such a favor for you, I want you to promise me that you will never hurt any animal or man. Will you promise me that?"

The wolf gave a clear sign, by nodding his head, that it promised to do as the Saint asked.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Little Flowers of St. Francis - 21

T

Unknown, Despised and Insulted

St. Francis of Assisi having a private audience with Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil

who was the Islamic ruler of Egypt.

In those parts of the world where they were unknown and despised they were often insulted, but they were so meek in their devotion to Christ's Gospel that they preferred to remain where they had to endure physical persecution, rather than return where their holiness was recognized and they might become proud of the honor shown them.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Bonaventure, Major Life

Chapter IV

T

Man's Poverty Serves Us As A Mirror

When blessed Francis had gone to preach at a house of the friars near Rocca Brizzi it happened that on the day he was due to preach, a poor, sick man came to him. Full of compassion for him, he began to speak about the man's poverty and sickness to his companion. And his companion said to him, "Brother, it is true that this man seems poor enough, but it may be that no one in the whole Provice has a greater desire for riches." He was at once severely rebuked by blessed Francis, saying, "Do you want to know how you sinned against him, and against Christ Himself? Whenever you see a poor man, remember Christ in Whose Name he comes, and how He took upon Himself, and how He took upon Himself our poverty and weakness. For this man's poverty serves us as a mirror...

Saint Francis of Assisi

Mirror of Perfection - 37

T