Preferring Insults To Praise

St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

For his part, Francis preferred insult to praise, because he knew that insult leads to self-improvement, praise to downfall. And so when people praised his merits and holiness, he would command one of the brothers to assault his ears with phrases that humiliated and mortified him. And when the brother, although unwilling, called him uncouth and mercenary, unskilled and useless, Francis would reply, his face shining with his heart's joy, "The Lord bless you, dearest son, for you have spoken the very truth. These are the kind of words that suit well the son of Peter Bernardone."

St.Bonaventure, Major Life
CHAPTER VI

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Whom Do We Worship, The Creator Or Creation?

St. Francis praised the Artist in every one of his works; whatever he found in things made, he referred to their Maker. He rejoiced in all the works of the Lord's hands, and with joyful vision saw into the reason and cause that gave them life. In beautiful things he came to know Beauty itself. To him all things were good. They cried out to him, "He who made us is infinitely good." By tracing his footprints in things Francis followed the Beloved wherever he led. He made, from created things, a ladeer to his throne.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CXXIV

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"Searching" For Jesus!

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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Hidden In The Wounds Of The Savior

With joy-filled devotion Brother Francis dwelt in the heavenly mansions and in complete self-emptying he remained for long periods hidden, as it were, in the wounds of the Savior. He therefore sought out solitary places where he could cast his soul entirely upon God.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life
CHAPTER XXVII

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Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Photo of my friend, former Ambassador Alan Keyes, being arrested on
Notre Dame University's Campus
for protesting the University's misguided hero-worship of the
Pro-Abortionist President Barack Hussein Obama

Francis used to say that we must not allow the duties of high office or the responsibility of preaching to stand in the way of holy and devout prayer, going out for alms, doing manual labor when required, and carrying out other humble duties like the rest of the brethren, both as a good example and for the good of their own and others' souls. He said... 'Unless we do this we cannot admonish others without embarrassment, injustice, and self condemnation; for if we follow Christ's example, we must act rather than teach, and our acting and teaching must go together.'

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 73

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We Gain Great Merit By Overcoming Temptation

Blessed Francis made the Sign of the Cross on Brother Riccieri's forehead and lovingly kissed him on the same spot and then said to him: "My beloved son, God gave you (that) temptation in order that you might gain very good merit. But if you do not want any more of that merit, you will not have it."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Little Flowers of St Francis - 27

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An Ancient Prophesy Of Our Modern Times

"But when Avarice saw that she could not by herself work her desire upon these men, she changed her counsel in order to gain her end. She summoned Sloth, who is loath both to begin good works and to complete what she has begun; and she made an agreement with her and entered into a pact with her against them. These two were not actually too familiar with each other, nor were they even united by chance; but they willingly conspired together, just as Pilate and Herod conspired of old against the Savior"...

"They [the Order of Saint Francis] began at last to fawn upon men of the world and they began to be wedded to them, as it were, that they might empty their purses, extend their own buildings, and multiply the very things they had completely renounced. They sold their words of advice to the rich and their visits to noble ladies; and they frequented the courts of kings and princes with great eagerness, so that they might join house to house and lay field to field. And now they are grown great and rich and strong upon the earth, because they have proceeded from evil to evil and they have not known the Lord. They fell when they were lifted up, and they sprawled upon the ground before their birth; and still they say to me, 'We are your friends.'"

Saint Francis of Assisi
Sacrum Commercium 47,49

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Begging For Stones; Jerusalem, Ohio

Jerusalem, 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 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 next to 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 erect the Portiuncula Chapel.

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Live The Life Of The Gospel

Fresco of St. Francis at Sacro Speco in Subiaco, Italy
...painted while the saint was still living.

"When God gave me some friars, there was no one to tell me what I should do; but the Most High himself made it clear to me that I must live the life of the Gospel."

Saint Francis of Assisi
THE TESTAMENT OF ST FRANCIS

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Humility

"I am quite sure that if the Lord had granted a thief or an unbeliever as many great gifts as He has to me, they would have been more faithful to Him than I."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 45

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Selecting A Friary

After the Lord Bonaventure gave the brothers land upon which to build a friary, Saint Francis said to him: "When the brothers arrive in a city where they do not yet have residence, and they find someone who wants to give them a piece of land to build a friary with a garden and the necessary space, they must first of all decide that the area is adequate, and not exceed it; it must never lose sight of the holy poverty that we have promised to observe nor of the good example that we are bound to give to others."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 14

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The Lord's Bridal Ring

Temptation overcome is the ring by which the Lord espouses the soul of His servant to Himself.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano - Second Life
Chapter LXXXIII

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The Bridegroom's Touch

St. Francis always sought a hidden place where he could adapt not only his soul but also his members to God. When he suddenly felt himself visited by the Lord in public, lest he be without a cell he made a cell of his mantle. At times, when he did not have a mantle, he would cover his face with his sleeve so that he would not disclose the hidden manna. Always, he put something between himself and the bystander, lest they should become aware of the bridegroom's touch.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER LXI

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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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Living A Radical, Uncompromising Faith

"For many people, being 'Christian' is roughly equivalent in time and emotional commitment to being a member of a neighborhood bridge club, having a regular seat at the Elks lodge, or getting the family car serviced every three thousand miles. Unfortunately, this type of Christianity is often viewed as just another civic affiliation, acquired habit, or social ritual.

"Not for Francis. In him, the spark of divine love ignited a bonfire that burned away all his indifference and sparked a radical, uncompromising faith. His was no Christianity Lite. He worshiped at the altar of no watered-down deity."

John Michael Talbot
Little Portion Hermitage

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Franciscans International Has Lost Its Compass!

Can someone please explain to me how
Franciscans International,
in partnership with the United Nations,
has anything to do with saving souls?

St. Francis used to say we should prefer nothing to the salvation of souls, and he said so for this reason: It is for souls that the only begotten Son of God deigned to ascend the cross.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Major Life
Chapter 9

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Our Enemies Are Our True Friends

Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose footsteps we're to follow, called his betrayer "friend" and willingly handed himself over to his crucifiers. Our friends, then, are those who unjustly inflict upon us tests and ordeals, shame and injury, sorrows and torments, martyrdom and death. They are the ones we should love most, for what they're really inflicting upon us is eternal life.

St. Francis
Rule of 1221
Chapter XXII

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GoodSearch: Please Help Build The Portiuncula Chapel

Please help us duplicate this Franciscan University of Steubenville
Chapel at the the Portiuncula Hermitage in Jerusalem, Ohio

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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When The World Loses Its Faith

While blessed Francis was standing in prayer behind the pulpit in the church of St. Mary of the Angels with his hands upraised to heaven, he called upon Christ to have mercy on the people in the great troubles which were bound to come. And the Lord said, 'Francis, if you wish Me to have mercy on the Christian people, do this for me; see that your Order remains in the state in which it was founded, for nothing but this will remain to Me in the whole world. And I promise you that, for love of you and your Order, I will not allow any troubles to come upon the world. But I warn you that the friars will turn back from this way in which I have set them, and will provoke Me to such anger that I shall rise up against them. And I shall summon the devils, and grant them all the power that they have desired; and they will stir up such antagonism between the friars and the world that no friar will be able to wear the habit of your Order except in the woods. And when the world loses its faith, no light will remain save that of your Order, because I have set it as a light to the world.'

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 71

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What Is The Mountain In My Life Right Now?

One day while Francis was in prayer in the church of St. Mary, in spirit he heard this word of the gospel: "If your faith were the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move." Blessed Francis asked: "What is this mountain?" "The mountain is your temptation." "Then, Lord, may it be done to me according to your word." And immediately he was freed of it, so much so that it seemed to him that he had never been troubled by that temptation.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 21

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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.

To receive prayer 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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Enriching Those Who Give

Blessed Francis and his brothers rebuilding the Portiuncula

You who labor to acquire alms have a great reward and also enrich those who give to you; for everything that people leave behind in the world will perish, but for the charity and almsgiving they've practiced they will have their reward from the Lord.

Saint Francis of Assisi
RULE OF 1221
Chapter IX

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Theft Of Alms

The tunic St. Francis was wearing at the time of his death

Blessed Francis used to say to his friars, 'I have never been a thief in the matter of alms, and obtained or used more than I needed. I have always accepted less than my needs, lest other poor folk should be cheated of their share; for to act otherwise would be theft.'

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 12

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"Come To The Quiet" - Become A Monastic Without Having To Leave Your Day Job!

Dr. Tom Ringenberg during personal prayer time at the
Portiuncula Hermitage in Jerusalem, Ohio

Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,

Having just experienced one of the most peaceful and fulfilling weekends of my Christian life, I feel led to write you and encourage you to take a fresh breath of the clean air at the Portiuncula Retreat in Jerusalem Ohio. Surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation in the hills of Appalachia, I was refreshed in God’s peace.

The initial reaction to a weekend of silence, fasting and prayer was mixed as I revel in the world’s flash of media and the madness of twenty-four hour news. I feared boredom and the lack of external stimulus. But God is good, and He provided plenty for me. Walks in the woods and fields, silent prayer and meditation, communal prayer with my Brothers in Christ, prayers of intercession, and theological discussion on the travel to and from Jerusalem, stimulated my spirit far more than my flesh has ever been stimulated.

It is my hope that the Portiuncula will become a haven for those who need a fresh touch of God. I will return soon to restore my soul with peace.

Please prayerfully consider joining me in supporting the Portiuncula Retreat Center by simply contributing $5.00 $10.00 $15.00 or more a month.

Simply Click On The
Parish Pay
Icon

Or mail payments to:

"Portiuncula Hermitage"
% 508 South 16th Street
Richmond, IN 47374.

Thank you and God bless!

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Tom Ringenberg
Centerville, IN

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Cutting Firewood

The pond at the Portiuncula Hermitage in Jerusalem, Ohio

Francis recommended to those who went out to cut firewood not to cut down the entire tree, but to leave a part of it, with the hope that the main trunk will continue to sprout and grow.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 51

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Have I Always Spoken Well Of My Brothers And Sisters?

Photo taken inside the Portiuncula Chapel
on the campus of the Franciscan University of Steubenville

Francis decreed that he who had taken away the good name of a brother should have his tunic taken away and that he should not raise his eyes to God until he first restored what he had taken away. This is why the brothers of that time renounced this vice in a special way and firmly agreed among themselves that whatever would detract from the honor of others or smacked of evil talk should be strictly avoided. Rightly and excellently done! What then is a detractor but the gall of humanity, the leaven of wickedness, the disgrace of the world? What then is a double-tongued man but the scandal of religion, the poison of the cloister, the destroyer of harmony?

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CXXXVIII

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Begging For Stones; Monroe County, Ohio

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 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 next to the Church 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 erect the Portiuncula Chapel.

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Make My Heart Your Dwelling Place

Stone cave outside Assisi

We should make a dwelling-place within ourselves where the Lord God Almighty can stay.

Saint Francis of Assisi
THE RULE OF 1221
Chapter 22

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Leading Lives Of Martha And Mary

Not more than three or at most four friars should go together to a hermitage to lead a religious life there. Two of these should act as mothers, with the other two, or the other one as children. The Mothers are to lead the life of Martha; the other two, the life of Mary Magdalen...They are forbidden to allow anyone to enter the enclosure where they live, and they must not take their meals there.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Religious Life in Hermitages

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

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 to keep our pre-born in your daily prayers!

To Order Direct, simply click on the Mystic Monk Icon at the very top of this page!

Please remember that when you buy Mystic Monk Coffee through the Portiuncula Hermitage, ten percent of all our commission sales are donated to Birthright (a loving alternative to abortion.)

Fra Chris





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