AUGUST 2ND: PORTIUNCULA PLENERY INDULGENCE AT OZARK, OHIO

The Portiuncula Plenery Indulgence is a special plenery indulgence granted to St. Francis of Assisi

Conditions:

Visit a Church: go to a Franciscan church or any non-Franciscan church designated by your bishop.

Prayers: Recite One Our Father, The Apostles Creed, and pray for the pope's intentions.

Sacrtaments: Receive Sacramental Confession and Holy Communion within 8 to 30 days of visit.

Detachment: maintain an interior dispostion of complete detachment from all sin.

The Portiuncula Franciscan Chapel located next to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in Ozark, Ohio, will remain open between the hours of 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 2nd, for anyone wishing to join us in prayer.

Thank you and God bless you!

Pace e' Bene!

Fra Chris Dickson, F.L.A.

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The Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

 

All those are damned who see the sacrament of the Body of Christ which is consecrated on the altar in the form of bread and wine by the words of our Lord in the hands of the priest, and do not see or believe in spirit and in God that this is really the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the Most High himself who told us, 'This is my Body and Blood of the new covenant' (Mark 14: 22-24), and, 'He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has life everlasting' (John 6:55).

Saint Francis of Assisi

Admonition I

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Deprived Of Speech

 

"When St. Francis was praying at the place of the Portiuncula, it happened that the bishop of Assisi came to him on a friendly visit, as was his custom. As soon as he entered the place, he went unceremoniously to Francis' cell without being called, and after knocking at the door, was about to enter. But behold, he put his head in and saw the saint praying, a trembling took hold of him suddenly and his limbs became rigid, and he also lost his speech. Suddenly, by the will of God, he was driven out by force and pushed backward some distance. I believe that he was either unworthy to look upon this secret thing or that the saint was worthy to keep his secret longer. The astonished bishop returned to the brothers, and with the first word he uttered in confessing his fault, he recovered his speech (John 18:6)."

Saint Francis of Assisi

Celano, Second Life

CHAPTER LXVI

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How To Act During A Rapture

The holy and very devout lay brother James of Massa, who had been with St. Clare and many of the companions of St. Francis, had a gift regarding how he should act when he had such a grace.

Brother Giles answered: "Don't add. Don't take away. And avoid crowds as much as you can."

"What do you mean?" said Brother James. "Explain it to me Reverend Father."

He replied: "When the mind is ready to be introduced into that most glorious light of God's goodness, it should not add anything by presumption or take away anything by negligence, and it should love solitude as much as possible if it wishes that the grace be preserved and increase.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Little Flowers of St. Francis

Part Three

ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS - 8

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Indulging In Vices, Sins, Evil Longings And Desires

 

All those who refuse to do penance and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ are blind, because they cannot see the true light, our Lord Jesus Christ. They indulge their vices and sins and follow their evil longings and desires, without a thought for the promises they made. In body they are slaves of the world and of the desires of their lower nature, with all the cares and anxieties of this life; in spirit they are slaves of the devil. They have been led astray by him and have made themselves his children, dedicated to doing his work. They lack spiritual insight because the Son of God does not dwell in them, and it is he who is the true Wisdom of the Father.

Saint Francis of Assisi

LETTER TO ALL THE FAITHFUL

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When We Are The Bride, Brother And Mother Of Christ

 

A person is his bride when his faithful soul is united with Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit; we are his brothers when we do the will of his Father who is in heaven (Matthew 12:50), and we are mothers to him when we enthrone him in our hearts and sould by love with a pure and sincere conscience, and give him birth by doing good. This, too, should be an example to others.

Saint Francis of Assisi

LETTER TO ALL THE FAITHFUL

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Franciscan Lay Apostolate (F.L.A.)

 

The Franciscan Lay Apostolate  is currently under the direction of Fra Chris Dickson, F.L.A. Along with his staff, the F.L.A. works to foster the spread of the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, and helps to raise the dignity of people's lives in Appalachia. 

Apostolicam Actuositatem is the Second Vatican Council's Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity. It defines the mission of the lay Christian faithful to both "lead non-believers to the faith and to instruct, strengthen, and encourage the faithful to a more fervent life". The lay apostolate is made up from laypeople and consecrated religious who exercise a ministry in cooperation with the Catholic Church. These organizations cooperate with ecclesiastical authorities. They operate "under direction of her pastors" but are not members of the official Church hierarchy nor in Holy Orders. 

Mailing Address:

Portiuncula Hermitage

P.O. Box 34

Jerusalem, Ohio 43747

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Epiphany Blessing 20+C+M+B+26

 

Jesus has come to us: we must welcome Him. How could we refuse such a gracious guest? Jesus has come to our earth, our home, to live with us. He has blessed our earthly dwelling by his very presence. Our Christian identity demands that we “roll out the red carpet” for Christ and show him all due hospitality, as did the Magi (as well as the shepherds, in their own way). Because Epiphany celebrates in a special way our welcoming of the Christ child into our lives, this is traditionally a time of year for the blessing of homes. Having our homes blessed gives us the opportunity to welcome Christ into our homes and hearts, just as the Magi welcomed Christ into the world. Epiphany (and the weeks following) specifically provides, especially if you have never had your home blessed before, an excellent opportunity to have your home blessed by a priest. When was the last time you had a priest come to your home? This is one of the best ways to get to know your pastor: to share a meal and conversation with him in the context of your home, to allow the priest who acts in the person of Christ to bring Christ’s blessing to you.

Fr. Nick Ward

Key Elements of the Blessing

The Inscription (20+C+M+B+26) : 
20__+26: The first two and last two digits of the current year (e.g., 2026). 
C+M+B: Initials for the Three Kings (Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar) or the Latin phrase Christus Mansionem Benedicat ("May Christ bless this house"). 
+ Signs: Represent the cross and the star of Bethlehem. 
Materials Needed: Blessed chalk (often from a church) and holy water. 

How to Perform the Blessing

Gather: Family members assemble at the front door. 
Sprinkle Holy Water: Sprinkle holy water in each room while saying prayers or singing hymns. 
Mark the Door: Write the inscription above the main door, saying a prayer like, "May Christ bless this house and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen". 
Say the Blessing Prayer: Recite prayers asking God to bless the home, fill it with His love, and guide the family. 
Leave the Marking: The chalk marking remains until the next year's blessing. 

Purpose & Significance

Invitation to Christ: It's a way to ask Jesus to be a daily presence and guest in the home. 
Symbol of Faith: Marks the home as a Christian dwelling. 
Connection to Baptism: Using holy water recalls baptismal graces. 
Protection & Blessing: Seeks God's protection and blessings for health, love, and obedience to His law for all who live or visit. 

 

The Blessed Virgin Mary Appears Over The Portiuncula Chapel's Altar In Ozark, Ohio

 

Last Summer, during our weekly Saturday Rosary, one of the ladies praying with us in the chapel asked, "Am I the only one here who sees the Blessed Virgin Mary appearing over the Altar?" When everyone inquired, she stood up, walked over to the right side orf the altar and with her finger traced the distinct outline that resembles Our Lady of Guadalupe. This photo does not do it justice. It really pops out when only the side door is open and the light hits it at just the right angle.

Her head is bowed and looking over the Altar.

Fra Chris Dickson, F.L.A. Portiuncula Chapel

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Let The Fire Fall!

 

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The Very First Christmas Creche 1223 A.D.

The good folk [of Greccio, Italy] came and were filled with joy as if for the first time over a whole new mystery. The woods rang with voices, the rocks echoed their festive chorus, the brothers sang their choice praises to the Lord, and the whole night seemed to leap rejoicing. The saint of God stood ecstatically before the manger, his spirit trembling with compassion and ineffable love. Then the priest celebrated the solemnity of the Eucharist over the manger and he too experienced a consolation he'd never tasted before.

Celano - First Life

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Come To The Quiet

 

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Seek To Humble Yourselves In All Things

 

In the love which God is I beseech all my brothers - speakers, workers, whether clerics or laics: Seek to humble yourselves in all things, and do not glory in yourselves or rejoice inwardly, or exalt yourselves for the good words and works or, indeed, of any good which God sometimes says or does or works in you or through you.

Rule of 1221 A.D. - Chapter XVII

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Do Not Look Down Upon Or Judge Ill

 

All the Lesser Brothers are to wear poor clothes and, with God's blessing, let them mend them with pieces of sackcloth or some other materiel. I admonish and encourage them not to look down upon or judge ill of those people they see wearing soft and colorful clothes and enjoying the choicest food and drink. Instead, let each brother criticize and judge himself.

Rule 1223 - Chapter II

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Franciscus Christificatus by FRANCIS THOMPSON

 

Franciscus Christificatus

by

FRANCIS THOMPSON

Thief that has leaped Heaven's star-spiked wall!
Christ's exultant bacchanal!
Wine-smears on thy hand and foot
Of the Vine that struck its root
Deep in Virgin soul, and was
Trained against the reared Cross:
Nay, thy very side its stain
Hath, to make it redly plain
How in the wassail quaffed full part
That flown vintager, thy heart.
Christ in blood stamps Himself afresh
On thy Veronical-veil of flesh.

Lovers, looking with amaze on
Each other, would be that they gaze on:
So for man's love God would be
Man, and man for His love He:
What God in Christ, man has in thee.
God gazed on man and grew embodied,
Thou, on Him gazing, turn'st engodded!
But though he held thy brow-spread tent
His little Heaven above Him bent,
Thy scept'ring reed suffices thee,
Which smote Him into sovereignty.

Thou who thoughtest thee too low
Fir His priest, thou shalt not so
'Scape Him and unpriested go!
In thy hand thou wouldst not hold Him,
In thy flesh thou shalt enfold Him;
Bread wouldst not change into Him...ah see!
How He doth change Himself to thee!

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

 

December 14, 2025

Feast Day of St. John of the Cross

"Suffering is more fruitful than pleasure. It is in suffering and in stillness that God strengthens the soul. When she is active and satisfied, she practices nothing more than her own inclinations and weaknesses. In suffering, the soul evolves in virtue and purity. She wakes up and grows wiser."

St. John of the Cross - Dark Night of the Soul

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Cum Grande Humilitate!

 

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Blessed Francis had a deeper veneration for the Nativity of our Lord than for other festivals, and he said, 'Since our Lord has been born for us, it is for us to accept salvation.' He wanted every Christian to rejoice in the Lord on that day, for love of Him Who gave Himself for us, he wished everyone generously provide not on for the poor, but for the beasts and birds as well.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Mirror of Perfection - 114

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The most beautiful music you've never heard. — Second Sunday of Advent Gregorian Chant

 

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"Come to the Quiet" Retreat Means Living For God

 

Portiuncula Hermitage Jerusalem, Ohio

The desert is a place of spiritual revolution, not of personal retreat. It is a place of inner protest, not outward peace. It is a place of deep encounter, not of superficial escape. It is a place of repentance, not recuperation. Living in the desert does not mean living without people; it means living for God. Antony and the other desert dwellers never forgot this. They never sought to cut off their connections to other people instantly. They sought rather to refine these relationships increasingly.

Of course, the desert was, on a deeper level, always more than simply a place. It was a way. And it was not the desert that made the Desert Fathers and Mothers, any more than it was the lion that made the martyrs.

In the Heart of the Desert

Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis

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