Woe To Those Who Applaud Themselves

Woe to those who applaud themselves for the mere appearance of the religious life; they will grow numb with sloth and they will not be able to resist steadfastly the temptations permitted as a trial for the elect; for only those who have been tried will receive the crown of life, those whom meanwhile the malice of the wicked has put to the test.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CXVI - 157

Lead By Example And Not By Fear

If through my exhortations and my example I can neither surpress nor correct the brothers, I do not wish to become an executioner who punishes and flogs, as the worldly leaders do.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 76

Oldenburg Sisters: Daughters And Handmaids Of The Most High King

Since by divine inspiration you have made yourselves daughters and handmaids of the Most High King, the Father of Heaven, and have embraced the Holy Spirit as your spouce, choosing to live according to the perfection of the Holy Gospel, I resolve and promise that personally and through my brothers I will always have the same special care and solicitude for you as I have for them.

Saint Clare of Assisi
Rule of St. Clare
CHAPTER VI

St. Clare's Image In The Mirror: To My Sisters In Oldenburg

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, and continually study your countenance within it, so that you may clothe yourself inside and out with beautiful robes to cover yourself with the flowers and garments of all the virtues, as becomes the daughter and most chaste bride of the Most High King. 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.

Saint Clare of Assisi
Fourth Letter of St. Clare to Blessed Agens of Prague, 14-19

The Village Store in Oldenburg, Indiana Partners With Mystic Monk Coffee And Birthright

The Village Store in Oldenburg, Indiana is now selling "Mystic Monk Coffee" through the Portiuncula Hermitage and Retreat Center. Please remember that when you order Mystic Monk Coffee Through The Portiuncula Hermitage/Retreat Center, ten percent of their Commissions go directly to Birthright (a loving alternative to abortion!)

Drop by and say "Hi!" to Jeff Paul and tell him that Doug and Sarah Pulskamp sent you to get some of his great Mystic Monk Coffee!

FAIR TRADE / ORGANIC

Mystic Monk Coffee is pleased to offer the socially conscious consumer a coffee that respects the value of every human life and the right and dignity of every person, especially the unborn. Fair Trade Organic is a decision to act with social justice.

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.


The Portiuncula Hermitage is committed to tithing 10% of their Commissions of Mystic Monk Coffee Sales to Birthright!

Please remember to keep our pre-born in your daily prayers!

To order, simply click on the Mystic Monk Coffee Icon on the left side of this page:

US Catholic Bishops Warn Obama on Abortion

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Roman Catholic bishops on Wednesday warned president-elect Barack Obama against enacting an "evil law" that would deregulate the "abortion industry", saying it would alienate millions of Americans and sow disunity.

"In the last Congress, a Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) was introduced that would, if brought forward in the same form today, outlaw any 'interference' in providing abortion at will," the bishops said in a statement issued at an annual meeting in Baltimore.

"It would deprive the American people in all 50 states of the freedom to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry," they statement said.

It would also "coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars" and "counteract sincere efforts to reduce the number of abortions in our country," they said.

Condemning abortion as "a medical procedure that kills", the bishops warned that if FOCA is passed, "the unity desired by president-elect Obama and all Americans at this moment of crisis will be impossible to achieve."

"Aggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans," the statement warned.

A 1973 Supreme Court decision known as Roe versus Wade legalized abortion on the basis that a woman has a right to privacy under the 14th Amendment to the US constitution.

According to a survey conducted in May by Gallup, roughly 50 percent of Americans are pro-choice -- for abortion rights -- and around 40 percent are pro-life -- opposed to abortion rights.

During the contest for the Democratic Party's nomination, Obama said it was "important to protect a woman's right to choose".

And in the closing weeks of the race for the White House, in which abortion took a back seat to issues like the souring economy and the war in Iraq, the Obama campaign ran ads in swing states highlighting the opposition to abortion of the Republican Party presidential ticket of John McCain and the openly pro-life Sarah Palin.

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 murmors 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 of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But all his jollity would end in tears, and his joy would melt away in compassion for the sufferings of Christ. And at such times he would break into constant sighs, and in his grief would forget what he was holding in his hands, and be caught up in spirit into heaven.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 93

My God And My All!

Looking up to Heaven and raising his hands, St. Francis prayed with intense fervor and devotion, saying: "My God and my all!" And he sobbed out these words with so many tears and kept repeating them with such devout persistence that until matins he said nothing but "My God and my all!"

Saint Francis of Assisi
Little Flowers of St. Francis - 2

The Village Store in Oldenburg, Indiana Partners With Mystic Monk Coffee

The Village IGA in Oldenburg, Indiana is now selling "Mystic Monk Coffee" through the Portiuncula Hermitage and Retreat Center. Drop by and say "Hi!" to Jeff Paul and tell him that Doug and Sarah Pulskamp sent you to get some of his great Mystic Monk Coffee!


Please remember that when you order Mystic Monk Coffee Through The Portiuncula Hermitage/Retreat Center, ten percent of their Commissions go to Birthright (a loving alternative to abortion!)


FAIR TRADE ORGANIC

Mystic Monk Coffee is pleased to offer the socially conscious consumer a coffee that respects the value of every human life and the right and dignity of every person, especially the unborn. Fair Trade Organic is a decision to act with social justice.

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.


The Portiuncula Hermitage is committed to tithing 10% of their Commissions of Mystic Monk Coffee Sales to Birthright!

Please remember to keep our pre-born in your daily prayers!

To order, simply click on the Mystic Monk Coffee Icon on the left side of this page:

Fear To Look Upon The Bride Of Christ

Once, when St. Francis was going to Bevagna, he refreshed a mother and her virgin daughter (who was vowed to God) with the word of God. But while he preached to them, he did not look at either of them in the face. When they departed, his companion said to Francis: "Why, Brother, did you not look at the holy virgin who came with such great devotion?" The father answered: "Who must not fear to look upon the bride of Christ? But when a sermon is preached with the eyes and the face she looks at me, but not I at her."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Secon Life
CHAPTER LXXX - 114

Humility Befitting The Brothers

In that love which is God, I entreat all my friars, whether they are given to preaching, praying, or manual labor, to do their best to humble themselves at every opportunity; not to boast or be self-satisfied, or take pride in any good which God says or aqccomplishes in them or by them; as our Lord himself put it, "Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you" (Luke 10:20).

Saint Francis of Assisi
Rule of 1221
CHAPTER XVII

Come Holy Spirit, Let The Fire Fall

And while St. Francis, St. Clare, and their companions were sitting at St. Mary of the Angels, in a rapture, with their eyes and hands raised to Heaven, it seemed to the men of Assisi and Bettona and the entire district that the Church of St. Mary of the Angels and the whole Place and the forest which was at that time around the Place were all aflame and that an immense fire was burning over all of them. Consequently the men of Assisi ran down there in great haste to save the Place and put out the fire, as they firmly believed that everything was burning up.

But when they reached the Place, they saw nothing was on fire. Entering the Place, they found St. Francis with St. Clare and all the companions sitting around that very humble table, rapt in God by contemplation and invested with power from on high.

Mystic Monk Coffee, The Portiuncula, And Birthright

Mystic Monk Coffee: Order Through The Portiuncula and Donate To Birthright

Order Mystic Monk Coffee Through The Portiuncula: the Little Portion and Donate to Birthright!


FAIR TRADE / ORGANIC

Mystic Monk Coffee is pleased to offer the socially conscious consumer a coffee that respects the value of every human life and the right and dignity of every person, especially the unborn. Fair Trade Organic is a decision to act with social justice.

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.


The Portiuncula Hermitage is committed to giving ten percent of their Mystic Monk Coffee Commissions to Birthright!

Please remember to keep our pre-born in your daily prayers!

To order, simply scroll down and click on the Mystic Monk Coffee Icon on the left side of this page:

Prayer Novena For Barack Obama's Conversion

My wife attended a Pro-Life dinner this evening. One of the speakers requested that every Christian pray every day for the conversion of Barack Obama so that he becomes Pro-Life. Can you imagine the repurcussions of such a magnificent change of heart?

We are asking that all children pray a simple "Hail Mary" every single day for the President's conversion and that all adults pray the following daily prayer Novena:

Our Lady Of The Holy Rosary Prayer

My dearest mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your request at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart, and for the conversion of Barack Obama to become a staunch Pro-Life advocate.

I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God's holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.

I offer you this spiritual "Bouquet of Roses" because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation.

When We Think, Speak , And Do Holy Things

Once when St. Francis was staying in a cell at Siena, he called his sleeping companions one night, saying: "I have asked the Lord, brothers, to deign to show me when I am a servant. And the most kind Lord just now deigned to give me this reply: 'Know that you are then truly my servant when you think, speak, and do holy things.' Therefore have I called you, brothers, because I wish to be filled with shame before you if at any time I do nothing of these three things."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CXVIII - 159

For Those Who Serve God, Money Is The Devil

"For those who serve God, my brother, money is the Devil, a poisonous snake!"

Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Major Life
CHAPTER VII - 6

Pope Gregory IX: The Father Of The Whole World

When blessed Francis saw the faith and love of the Lord Bishop of Ostia for the friars, he was drawn still closer to him in the bond of affection. By a divine revelation blessed Francis knew that the Bishop would become Pope, and in his letters he always addressed him: "To the venerable Bishop in Christ, the father of the whole world." This prophesy was verified shortly afterwards, for on the death of Pope Honorius III, the Lord Bishop of Ostia was elected sovereign Pontiff under the name of Gregory IX. From that day on he was the great benefactor and defender of the friars and of other religious, and above all Christ's poor, for which reason he is believed to be a saint.

Lay Franciscans of Richmond November Meeting

The Richmond Lay Franciscans of the Sisters of St. Francis Oldenburg, Indiana will meet on Saturday, November 8, at 11:30 A.M. in the Fr. Minton Room at Seton West School (Holy Family Church).

Everyone is welcome!

Please plan on attending...

Be Not Disturbed By Any Injury Or Insult

While in Balogna, a certain learned doctor of laws, seeing and reflecting on Brother Bernard's constancy and virtue in not being at all disturbed by any injury or insult for many days, said to himself: "That man certainly must be a saint." And going up to Brother Bernard he asked him: "Who are you, and why have you come here?"

As his reply, Brother Bernard put his hand in his bosom and brought out the Rule of St. Francis, which he bore in his heart and practiced in his deeds, and gave it to him to read.

And when the judge had read it through, reflecting on its lofty state of perfection, he was utterly amazed, for he was an intelligent man. And turning to his companions, he said with the greatest surprise and admiration: "This certainly is the highest form of religious life I have ever heard of! And therefore this man and his companions are some of the holiest men in the world. So those who insult him are committing a very great sin, for he should be given the highest honors rather than insults, as he is a great and true friend of God!"

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

Mystic Monk Coffee: A Perfect Gift For The Holiday Season!

Happy Autumn!

As the holiday season approaches and your attention turns to family and friends, please prayerfully consider our great products and gift ideas for your holiday entertaining and gift giving. Order early and avoid the last minute rush. Check out our great Featured Products below or visit our website:

Simply scroll down and click on the "Mystic Monk Coffee" Icon on the left side of this page for all our fresh-roasted gourmet coffees.

What better way to say, "I love you!" than by allowing them to listen to their very own "Mystical Chants of Carmel" CD over a delicious pot of "Mystic Monk Coffee!"

Send a "Mystic Monk Coffee Holiday Gift Basket" and have it delivered right to their front door!

Please remember that the Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage and Retreat Center is tithing all sales to Birthright (a loving alternative to abortion.)

Kindly remember to keep our precious pre-born in your prayers.

Who Or What Is The Leper In Your Life?

"So greatly loathsome was the sight of lepers to Blessed Francis at one time, he used to say that in the days of his vanity, he would look at their houses only from a distance of two miles and he would hold his nostrils with his hands. But now, when by the grace and power of the Most High he was beginning to think of holy and useful things, while he was still clad in secular garments, he met a leper one day and, made stronger than himself, he kissed him."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life
CHAPTER VII - 17

Note: From that time on, the fear St. Francis once had of lepers was ripped from his heart. What is it in your life that is your greatest fear? By facing it (indeed embracing it and kissing it) God will rip that fear from your heart as well...

Encouraging Others By Our Good Example

Saint 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 was 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
Bonavtnture, Major Life
CHAPTER VII - 13

Seeking Praise

Those who want to be praised rather as rhetoricians than as preachers, speaking as they do with elegance rather than with sincerity, Francis did not greatly love. These, he said, divide wickedly who spend All their time at preaching and none at devotion.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CXXIII - 164

The Canticle of Brother Sun

Most high, all-powerful, all good, Lord!
All praise is yours, all glory, all honor
And all blessing.

To you alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips areworthy
To pronounce your name.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that
you have made,
And first my lord Brother Sun,
Who brings the day; and light you give us
through him.

How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his
splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon
and Stars;
In the heavens you have made them, bright
And precious and fair.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers
Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all the weather's moods,
By which you cherish all that you have made.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,
So useful, lowly, precious, and pure.

Allpraise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
Through whom you brighten up the night.
How beautiful he is, how gay! Full of power
and strength.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth,
our mother,
Who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces
Various fruits and colored flowersand herbs.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through those who
grant pardon
For love of you; through those who endure
Sickness and trial.

Happy those who endure in peace,
By you, Most High, they will be crowned.

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 to no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks,
And serve him with great humility.

Brother Ass and Saint Francis

JOHN BANISTER TABB


It came to pass
That "Brother Ass"
(As he his Body named,)
Unto the Saint
Thus made complaint:
"I am unjustly blamed.


"Whate'er I do,
Like Balaam you
Requite me with a blow,
As for offence
To recompense
An ignominious foe.


"God made us one,
And I have done
No wickedness alone;
Nor can I do
Apart, as you,
An evil all my own.


"If Passion stir,
'Tis you that spur
My frenzy to the goal:
Then be the blame
Where sits the shame,
Upon the goading soul.


"Should one or both
Be blind or loth
Our brotherhood to see,
Remember this,
You needs must miss
Or enter heaven through me."


To this complaint
The lowly saint
In tears replied, "Alas,
If so it be,
God punish me
And bless thee, Brother Ass."

We, Wretched Creatures, Enjoy So Many Luxuries!

When the Lord Bishop of Ostia, who later became Pope Gregory IX, attended the Chapter of the friars at Saint Mary of the Portiuncula, he entered the house with many knights and clergy to see the friars' dormitory. And seeing how the friars lay on the ground and had nothing beneath them but a little straw, and a few poor broken-down pallets, and no pillows, he began to weep freely before them all saying, 'Look how the friars sleep here! But we, wretched creatures, enjoy so many luxuries! What will become of us?' So he and all the others were much edified. He did not even find a table in the place, because the friars used to eat on the ground; for as long as blessed Francis lived, all the friars in that house used to eat on the ground.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 21

Lodola Capellata : The Hooded Lark

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 of it, "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 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 to Religious not to wear fine and gaudy clothing, but cloth of a humble price and colour, just as earth is inferior to the other elements.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 113

Mystic Monk Coffee At Warm Glow Candle

Warm Glow Candle of Centerville, Indiana will begin selling "Mystic Monk Coffee" through the Portiuncula Hermitage and Retreat Center in their Outlet Store located in Indiana at Exit 145 on I-70 in Indiana.

http://www.warmglow.com/outlet/index.html

Please remember that when you order Mystic Monk Coffee Through The Portiuncula: the Little Portion, you will automatically be donating to Birthright (a loving alternative to abortion!)


FAIR TRADE ORGANIC

Mystic Monk Coffee is pleased to offer the socially conscious consumer a coffee that respects the value of every human life and the right and dignity of every person, especially the unborn. Fair Trade Organic is a decision to act with social justice.

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.


The Portiuncula Hermitage is committed to tithing all Mystic Monk Coffee Sales to Birthright!

Please remember to keep our pre-born in your daily prayers!

To order, simply click on the Mystic Monk Coffee Icon on the left side of this page:

Showing Humble Reverence For Priests

Whenever the followers of St. Francis came to a priest, rich or poor, good or bad, they bowed humbly before him; and when it was time to seek shelter for the night they preferred to lodge with priests sooner than with layfolk. If, however, the priest could not offer them hospitality, they sought out the houses of Godfearing, spiritual men.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions
CHAPTER XIV - 60

Words Like Burning Fire, Penetrating The Heart

St. Francis began to preach penance to all with great fervor of spirit and joy of mind, edifying his hearers with his simple words and his greatness of heart. His words were like burning fire, penetrating the inmost reaches of the heart, and it filled the minds of all the hearers with admiration.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life
CHAPTER X - 23