DOLCE SENTIRE (BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON) BY ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

T

 

JOIN US AT NOON ON OCTOBER 3RD TO CELEBRATE THE 800TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRANSITUS F ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

 

49539 Ozark Eddy Bridge Road

Ozark, Ohio 43747

(Next to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery)

T

We Need A Modern Day St. Francis To Save Our Church From Ruin

 

Pope Innocent recalled a certain vision he had had a few days before, which, he affirmed, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, would be fulfilled in Francis. He had seen in his sleep the Lateran basilica about to fall to ruin, when a certain religious, small and despised, propped it up by putting his own back under it lest it fall. "Surely," he said, "this is that man who, by his works and by teaching of Christ, will give support to the Church."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER XI

T

Seek Out Solitary And Wild Places

 

Photo of the Portiuncula Chapel in Ozark, Ohio

"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

T

Obtaining The Treasure Of Heaven

 

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

T

Wintertime At The Portiuncula Chapel In Ozark, Ohio (Diocese of Steubenville)

 

T

The Vineyard Of Rieti

 

Rieti, Italy

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

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

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

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 25

T

"Pants Suit Nuns" of Oldenberg, Indiana Going Ditzy Once Again!

 

T

Winter At The Portiuncula Chapel in Ozark, Ohio (Diocese of Steubenville)

 

T

"Special Year of Saint Francis"

 

To gain the plenary indulgence of Saint Francis, all it takes is - to go to confession - receive Communion - visit a Franciscan site, such as a convent, monastery, or place of devotion

Dangerous Ohio Constitutional Amendment

 

Beginning Friday, September 15th, Catholics across the state of Ohio will be joining in prayer for the protection of human life and dignity and the defeat of the dangerous constitutional amendment on the Ohio ballot this November. A 54-Day Rosary Novena will be prayed from September 15th through Election Day, November 7th. Visit www.pray54ohio.org for more information.

Fra Chris

T

1 Timothy 2:8

 "I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands, without anger and contention."

T

Chris Dickson Along With Vice President Mike Pence On 9/11 Anniversary

 

May God continue to bless my very dear friend of the past 35 years, former Vice President Mike Pence (R-IN) for the bravery he and his wife Karen showed during the 9/11 attacks. 

(Left to Right: LTC Robert "Buzz" Patterson, Major Chris Dickson, Vice President Mike Pence)

T

God Is Still Homeless

T

"We build a church to God and He is still homeless because we have built it for ourselves, and our humble God sits on the step outside begging."

Brother Juniper

God's Holy Fool

T

T

T

With How Great Reverence Christ Is To Be Received

T

"Many run to sundry places to visit the relics of saints, and are astonished to hear their wonderful works; they behold the noble church buildings and kiss their sacred bones, wrapt up in silk and gold. And behold I have Thee here present on the altar, my God, the Saint of saints, the Creator of men, and the Lord of angels...But here, in the Sacrament of the Altar, Thou art wholly present, my God, the man Christ Jesus; where also the fruit of eternal salvation is plentifully reaped, as often as Thou art worthily and devoutly received."

THE IMITATION OF CHRIST

Thomas A' Kempis

T

The Suffering And Death Of A Worldly Cleric

T

At one time, when St. Francis of Assisi lay ill in the bishops' palace in Rieti, Italy, a certain cleric, a dissolute and worldly man, was struck ill and lay in bed in immense suffering. He instructed others to carry him on a gurney before St. Francis and tearfully begged Francis to bless him with the sign of the cross. Francis said to the cleric, "Since you lived in the past according to the desires of the flesh, not according to to the judgments of God, why should I sign you with the sign of the cross?" Francis continued, "I sign you in the name of Christ; but know that you will suffer worse things if after you are delivered to return to your vomit." Francis again continued, "Because of the sin of ingratitude worse things than the first are inflicted." After Francis had made the sign of the cross over the cleric, the man arose completely healed, and broke out into praise, proclaiming, "I am freed!" However, the bones in his loins popped and crackled like sticks of dry wood being broken by hand.

After a short time, the cleric gave his body again to impurity. Then one evening after dining with another of his fellow clerics and slept there that night, all of a sudden the roof of the house collapsed on top of them. Everyone escaped the house but the wretched cleric who was cut in half.

Saint Francis of Asasisi

Celano, Second Life

T

Praise of Sister Death: Thirty Second Sunday Of Ordinary Time

T

Blessed Francis, despite the overpowering burden of his sickness, praised the Lord in a great joyful outburst of body and soul, saying to his companion: "Since I must soon die, have Brother Angelo and Brother Leo come and praise our Sister Death for me." Both arrived, and, forcing back their tears, sang the Canticle of Brother Sun and of other creatures, which the saint had composed during his sickness for the glory of God and for the consolation of his soul and of that of the others. Before the last strophe, they added a few verses on our Sister Death to his canticle:

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death,
From whose embrace no mortal can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those She finds doing your will!
The second death can do no harm to them.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 100

T

Lay The Axe To The Root!

T

"But let us lay the axe to the root, that, being purged from passions, we may possess a quiet mind."

THE IMITATION OF CHRIST

Thomas A' Kempis

T

Gossipers Have No Time For God

T

If we would simply withdraw ourselves from unnecessary chatter and lazy idleness with those around us, as listening to idle talk, news reports and poking our noses into other people's business, then we would be able to find sufficient time to concentrate more fully in meditating on holy things that are pleasing to God (as well as to our neighbors.)

Saint Francis of Assisi took said it best when he said, "Blessed that religious who finds all his joy and happiness in the words and deeds of our Lord and uses them to make people love God gladly. Woe to the religious who amuses himself with silly gossip, trying to make people laugh."

Chris Dickson

T