What Was Bitter Became Sweetness

The pond at the Portiuncula Hermitage in Jerusalem, Ohio

Every day Francis meditated on the humility and example of the Son of God; he experienced much compassion and much sweetness from this, and in the end, what was bitter to his body, was changed into sweetness.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Legend of Perugia - 37

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A Rapture Of Contemplation

St. Francis was convinced that the grace of prayer was something we should long for above all else. No one, he declared, could make progress in God's service without it, and he used any means he could to make the brothers concentrate on it...

He was often taken right out of himself in a rapture of contemplation, so that he was lost in ecstasy and had no idea what was going on about him, while he experienced things which were beyond human understanding.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Bonaventure, Major Life

Chapter X

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Mystic Monk Coffee: Order Through the Portiuncula and Donate to Birthright (a loving alternative to Abortion)

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"Guess who hasn't had their cup of Mystic Monk Coffee yet this morning!"

Fra Chris

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 Top of this page:

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Welcome To The Portiuncula Healing Ministry

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

We are a

Franciscan Prayer Ministry

located in Jerusalem, Ohio.

Through prayer and Adoration before our Eucharistic Lord, we seek His awesome power, grace, and mercy, to bring His divine healing and peace into your life.

Simply e-mail your Prayer Requests to:

hermitage@parallax.ws

We encourage you to participate in our

Healing Services and Retreats

Thank you for visiting.

Pax Et Bonum!

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God Is Still Homeless

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

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

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

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Praying With Every Fiber Of Our Being

How To Pray

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How Should We Pray?

The novice monks asked Abba Macarius, "How should we pray?" The old man answered, "A long speech is not necessary, but instead stretch out your hands and say, 'Lord, as you with and as you know, have mercy.' Yet, if you feel a conflict is breaking out, you have to say, 'Lord, help me!' He knows what is good for us and treats us mercifully."

Sayings of the Desert Fathers

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Lifting His Eyes And Hands To Heaven

Lifting his eyes and hands to heaven, Francis prayed with the greatest devotion and fervor, saying, "My God and my all! My God and my all!" And he continued saying nothing but "My God and my all!" and weeping profusely until matins.

St. Francis said this prayer while contemplating in awe the excellence of the Divine Majesty which had bent down to this perishing world and was about to provide a saving remedy for Francis and others through the little poor man, Francis himself. For, enlightened by the Holy Spirit through a prophetic spirit, Francis saw the great things God was going to accomplish through him and his Order. But when he considered how inadequate he was and how meager was his virtue, he cried out in prayer to God that in his mercy, without which human frailty can do nothing, he would supply, help, and fill up what was lacking in Francis.

St. Francis of Assisi

Little Flowers of St. Francis

CHAPTER 2

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A Thief Of God's Treasures

When you are visited by the Lord in prayer, you should say, "Lord, you have sent me this comfort from heaven, even though I am a sinner and unworthy, and I entrust it to your keeping because I feel like a thief of your treasures." And when you leave your prayer, you should seem to be only a poor little sinner, and not someone especially graced by God.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Bonaventure, Major Life

Chapter X

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Rapt In Prayer

Francis's safe haven was prayer, not prayers of a few minutes, or empty, presumptuous prayer, but prolonged prayer, full of devotion and the serenity of humility. If he began late, it would be dawn before he finished. Whether walking, sitting, eating or drinking, he was rapt in prayer. At night he would retire alone to pray in abandoned, neglected churches. That was how, by God's grace, he overcame many fears and anxieties.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Celano, First Life - 71

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Fox News - GoodShop for the Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage

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Please remember

the

Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage and Retreat Center

Donates 10% of their Income to

BirthRight

 (a loving alternative to Abortion)

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Your Cell Will Teach You Everything

In Scetis, a brother went to see Abba Moses and begged him for a word. The old man said, "Go and sit in your cell and your cell will teach you everything."

Saying From the Desert Fathers

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Fr. Mike Scanlan, TOR: Consider It Joy When We Are Crushed And Broken

Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR

Chancellor of the Franciscan University of Steubenville

The following is a word from the Lord that was given to Fr. Mike when his journey had reached bottom, and a word we should all openly embrace within our own hearts whenever we are crushed and broken:

"Now you are broken and helpless. You can't possibly continue as you have in the past. Now I will show you MY ministry, and all you have been doing will be organized around it. You are sufficiently out of the way, with your eyes seeking me, for me to move with MY ministry, unmistakably marked with my character."

Father Michael Scanlan, T.O.R.

The Truth About Trouble

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Inspired By Silence

 A Modern-Day Hermit of the Desert in Egypt

One day, Theophilus of holy memory, the bishop of Alexandria, came to Scetis (the Upper Nile of Egypt). And the brothers who gathered said to Abba Pambo, "Say a word to the bishop so his soul may be benefited here." The old hermit replied, "If he is not inspired by my silence, he will not be inspired by my words either."

Saying From the Desert Fathers

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Taking Nothing With Us But Christ Crucified

 

Because St. Francis and his companions had been called by God and chosen to bear the Cross of Christ in their hearts and in their actions and to preach it by their words, they appeared to be and they were crucified men, both in their habit and their austere life and their deeds and their actions. Therefore, they had a greater desire to receive shame and insults for the love of Christ than the vain honors or respect or praise of the world. On the contrary, they rejoiced in being insulted, and they were made sad by being honored. And so they went through the world as pilgrims and strangers, taking with them nothing but Christ Crucified.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Little Flowers of St. Francis
Chapter 5

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Feast of the Immaculate Conception

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Feast of the Immaculate Conception

 

We too are the mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ when we carry him in our hearts and in our bodies, lovingly, with a pure and sincere conscience, and give birth to him through the working of his grace in us which should shine forth as an example to others.

 

Saint Francis of Assisi

Letter to all the Faithful, Second Version

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No Better Sermon Than The Practice Of The Virtues

"The worth of knowledge is proportionate to the actions it produces; there is no better sermon than the practice of the virtues."

Saint Francis of Assisi

Legend of Perugia - 74

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Putting Devils To Flight By Humble Prayer

Blessed Francis once visited the church of Saint Peter of Bovara near the castle of Trevi in the Vale of Spleto, along with Brother Pacificus. When he had said Compline and other prayers, he wished to rest and sleep, but could not do so, for his soul grew afraid, his body trembled, and he began to experience diabolic temptations. So making the sign of the Cross he immediately left the church, saying, 'In the Name of Almighty God, I tell you devils that you may do to my body whatever our Lord Jesus Christ allows, for I am ready to endure anything. My own body is the worst enemy I have, so that you will be taking vengeance on my adversary and direst foe.' At once the temptations ceased and when he had returned to the place where he had been lying, he fell into a peaceful sleep.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Mirror of Perfection - 59

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Wear His Crown of Thorns As A Crown Of Glory

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Actual photo of Veronica's veil from the Vatican, now nearly 2000 years old

The following is a vision that was witnessed by someone I know. They are sharing it with us now because they believe it was to given to the entire Church and not something to be kept hidden by them as a personal revelation:

 

 

I was in an area of complete and utter darkness. Then a mist appeared, through which two hands appeared that were handing me a crown of thorns.

I took the crown of thorns from the outstretched hands and placed it upon my head. As the crown was being seated upon my head, I prematurely winced, fully expecting searing pain from those thorns to shoot through my head and throughout my entire body.

But instead of pain, a warm and wonderful feeling of joy and peace settled over me. I was being bathed in God’s love.

Simultaneously with the crown of thorns being placed upon my head, a vision appeared before me of a glass mirror “unfurling” like a window shade, even though it was glass.

Jesus then appeared in the glass before me.

I was immediately filled with shame because Jesus had caught me wearing his crown, and I immediately pulled it from my head.

As I did, Jesus disappeared.

I then placed the crown back onto my head.

As I did, the glass unfurled before me, and again Jesus was standing before me.

At that moment, the realization hit me that I was looking into a mirror and seeing my own reflection, and that reflection was my Savior and my Lord! And me! One and the same!

This vision greatly troubled me. After all, who did I think I was, anyway? Was I so vain as to think myself equal to Jesus? God forbid! The vision continued to frighten me long afterwards, fearing that my attitude was obviously not right with God…that is, until I heard these words:

“Do not be afraid to put on my crown of thorns.
It is My crown of glory!
Wear it as I did.
I will bear the pain so that you have none.
Then, and only then, will you see Me in glory.
Then we shall meet face to face.
You in me, and I in you.
People will see me in your image.
Give yourselves to Me fully,
And I will come to you in glory…”

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"Planned Parenthood" and "Save the Animals" are Cleaning Up On GoodSearch !

Planned Parenthood has nearly 100 Abortion Mills signed up on GoodSearch, receiving thousands of dollars per year. "Save the Animals" has generated thousands of dollars through GoodSearch. 

 

Why not download the Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage's GoodSearch / GoodShop Toolbar where 10% of our income is donated to Birthright, a loving alternative to Abortion?

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 download the GoodSearch – Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage and Retreat Center toolbar at:

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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Christmas Feast

One Christmas the brothers were discussing whether or not they were obliged to abstain from meat since the feast fell on a Friday. Francis responded to Brother Morico, "You sin, little brother, to call a day on which the Child was born for us a Friday. On a day like this I want even the walls to eat meat, and if they can't, at least let their surfaces be smeared with it."

Saint Francis of Assisi

Celano - Second Life

 

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Portiuncula Hermitage Part 3 "Powerful and Effective Prayer"

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Personal Holiness

 Sister Briege McKenna, OSC

The crisis in the priesthood is not celibacy; it is faith in Jesus Christ. People who have a relationship with Jesus Christ can't live with sin in their lives. So I pray that they have a living faith in Jesus Christ with the Eucharist in the centre of their lives. The tragedy in Ireland is that there is so much negativity and they get so discouraged.

The greatest need is to be a personal witness to Jesus Christ. If their message is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it will bear fruit. The people are hungry. If you look at any list of retreats, sometimes the person of Jesus isn't even mentioned, but there is nothing like spending time with the Eucharist. It is so easy to be attracted by good things, but leave out the most important thing, which is our prayer life.

Sister Briege McKenna

St. Clare Sisters Retreat Ministry

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Portiuncula Hermitage Part 2 "Ladder of Monks"

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A Vision About The Portiuncula

The original Portiuncula of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Italy

Before entering the Order, one of the friars had a vision about the Portiuncula. He saw a huge crowd of blind folk kneeling in a circle about the curch and looking up to heaven. With tearful voices and outstretched hands, they cried out to God, begging Him to have pity on them and give them sight. Then a brilliant light descended from heaven and enveloped them all, giving them back their sight and the health they longed for.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Bonaventure, Major Life

Chapter II

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No Honeyed Words Of Flattery Or Blandishment

Fra Volantino Verde

Saint Francis wandered through the cities, villages, and hamlets, and began to preach with increasing perfection, not using learned words of human wisdom, but through the doctrine of virtue of the Holy Spirit most confidently proclaiming the kingdom of God. He was a genuine preacher confirmed by apostolic authority; therefore he spoke no honeyed words of flattery or blandishment; what he preached to others he had already put into practice himself and his teaching of the truth was full of assurance.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Legend of the Three Companions

Chapter XIII

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