"CUM GRANDE HUMILITATE!"

"Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words."

A special "Thank you!"
Goes out to
John Michael Talbot
for giving us permission
to use his song on our
"Come to the Quiet"
You Tube Video
T
T
_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

The Sight Of Women Is To Be Avoided

The companion of the saint once asked him why he did not look at a certain noble virgin who charitably and humbly visited the sick and ministered to them, to which Saint Francis replied, "Who ought not to fear the spouce of Christ? If we preach to her by the modesty of our eyes, she will be the more confirmed in her chastity. Let her look at me, but I will not look at her."

St. Francis
Miscellaneous Writings

Monday, August 20, 2007

Sisters of St. Francis Oldenburg, Indiana -3rd Annual "Francis Fest"

Come to Oldenburg for the 3rd Annual Francis Fest!

October 7, 2007
1:00-4:00 P.M.

Celebrate St. Francis and his Right Relationship with Earth

Michaela Farm
Oldenburg, IN

For more information, call

812-933-0661

or visit

www.oldenburgfranciscans.org

We Are Not To Judge The Rich

Let us not, however, judge or despise those who live delicately and are clothed sumptuously. God is their Lord as well as ours, and he is powerful enough to call them to his service, and, having called, to justify them.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Ralph Martin: "The Fulfillment of All Desire."

Are you interested in the Contemplative Life?

Drawing upon the teaching of seven Spiritual Doctors of the Church, Ralph Martin presents an in-depth study of the journey to God. This book provides encouragement and direction for the pilgrim who desires to know, love, and serve our Lord. I have personally read this book six times and grow deeper in my faith with every reading.

About the Author:

Ralph Martin has been a leader in renewal movements in the Church for many years, and the author of many books, articles, and audio albums on contemporary issues in the life of the Church and the teachings of the saints. He is currently Director of Graduate Programs in the New Evangelization at Sacred Heat Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit and Assistant Professor of Theology. He continues to lead the work of Renewal Ministries, an organization devoted to Catholic Renewal and Evangelization and hosts the weekly television program "The Choices We Face." He and his wife Anne are parents of six children and grandparents of six and reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Pumped Up and Pompous

The apostle said, "The letter killeth; the Spirit giveth life." Those are killed by the letter who desire to know the words only that they may be reputed more learned than others, and that they may acquire great riches to bestow on their relations and friends.

St. Francis
Admonitions to the Brethren

Saturday, August 18, 2007

To My Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, India

For the Lord himself has not only placed us as examples and mirrors for others, but also for our own sisters whom the Lord has called to our way of life, so that they in turn will be mirrors and examples to those living in the world.

The Testament of St. Clare - 6

Opposition From Bishops

After the general Chapter of Assisi, at which more than five thousand brethren assembled from every province, the holy father sent them two and two to preach the Word of God in all countries. Many of them returned to him complaining sorrowfully that some bishops were opposed to them and would not allow them to preach in their dioceses....At which the blessed father, filled with holy indignation, exclaimed, "O my brethren, you know not the will of God, and you seek by your foolishness to rob me of the conquest of the world. For our Lord Jesus Christ wishes that I should overcome the world by the most profound subjection and humility, and that I should perform the great work drawing souls to him by example of my lowliness. My brethren, you will convert all by your words, if you humble yourselves before all by your actions. Those who cruelly persecute you will be converted to Christ by the example of your patience, and will desire to kiss the very ground on which you walk..."

Miscellaneous Writings of St Francis

Friday, August 17, 2007

Conventional Franciscan Friars

www.franciscans.org/ has been created by the Conventual Franciscan Friars as an open invitation to explore Franciscan life and spirituality. The invitation is open to everyone but is specifically designed for Catholic men and women looking to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church through St. Francis of Assisi and Franciscan community life and service.


"Blessed are those religious who have no joy or delight except in the most holy words of the Lord, and who use them to lead others to the love of God in joy and gladness."

Admonition 20

Bishop Sam Jacobs Guest Speaker: March 1, 2008, The Holy Spirit and Evangelization, Batesville High School Auditorium Batesville, Indiana

Bishop Sam Jacobs shepherds the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux,Louisiana and previously served as bishop of Alexandria, Louisiana. He was ordained to the priesthood for the diocese of Lafayette in 1964 and served as pastor, chaplain, and associate pastor of several parishes in the diocese of Lafayette and Lake Charles. He also served as the Episcopal advisor to the National Service Committee for Vocations and Seminarians for the diocese of Lakes Charles. In 1996, Franciscan University awarded him the shepherd’s Award in recognition of his faithful service to the Church.




Joy Is Contagious !

"If at times temptation or despondency comes along to try me, and I see joy in my companions, then I immediately recover and let go of the temptation or depression. The joy I admire in others restores my own inward and outward joy."

Mirror of Perfection - 96

Thursday, August 16, 2007

CHARISCENTER USA

National Service Center of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal

Often, without moving his lips, St.Francis would meditate for a long time and, concentrating, centering his external powers, he would rise in spirit to heaven. Thus, he directed his whole mind and affections to the one thing he was asking of God. He was not then so much a man who prayed, as a man who had become a living prayer.

Celano - Second Life - 95

Of the Humility and Peace to be Observed Toward Priests

My beloved brethren, we have been sent to assist priests in the salvation of souls, that what is wanting in them may be supplied by us. Everyone will receive his reward, not according to his dignity, but according to his labor. Know, my brethren, that the salvation of souls is most pleasing to God, and this we shall procure much better by living in concord with the clergy than by being at variance with them. If they hinder this work, God is their judge, and he will avenge it in due time. Therefore be subject to the prelates, that, as far as you can prevent it, no envy may arise. If you are the sons of peace, you will gain both the clergy and the people, and this will be much more acceptable to God than if you gained the people only and scandalized the clergy. Hide their faults, supply their deficiencies; and when you have done this, humble yourselves all the more.

St. Francis
Admonitions to the Bretheren

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Contemplative Or Active Life

On one occassion St. Francis said to the brothers who were closest to him, "What do you think? Should I give my time to prayer or should I go about preaching? I am a poor little simple one, with no skill in speaking; I have received the gift of prayer rather than that of preaching. Besides, in prayer we acquire graces while in preaching we deal out the graces we've received. In prayer we purify the desires of our hearts and enter in union with the one, true, and supreme Good, and we grow in virtue. In preaching, on the other hand, the dust of distraction and relaxed discipline enters the soul."

St.Bonaventure - Major Life - 12

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Insignificant and Unbalanced

Have no fear of being thought insignificant or unbalanced, but preach repentance with courage and simplicity. Have faith in the Lord, who has overcome the world. His Spirit speaks in you and through you, calling men and women to turn to him and observe his precepts. You will encounter some who are faithful, meek, and well disposed; they will joyfully receive you and your words. But there are more who are skeptical, proud, and blasphemous, and who will insult you and resist your message. Prepare yourselves, therefore, to bear everything with patience and humility.

Legend of the Three Companions - 36

Monday, August 13, 2007

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Central Indiana (CCRCI)

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Central Indiana (CCRCI) serves the archdiocese of Indianapolis and the diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. A Service Team, including Fr. Nöel Mueller, O.S.B., of St. Meinrad Archabbey―ecclesial liaison to the archbishop of Indianapolis―and Fr. David Newton, pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church―liaison to the bishop of Lafayette―steers the activities and ministries for the Central Indiana area.


Each year CCRCI spreads the Good News of Jesus Christ and fosters renewal through the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church. Our mission is to renew the grace of Pentecost throughout each parish in Central Indiana through evangelization and service. We envision personal, continuous conversion to the Lordship of Jesus Christ with the fullness of the charisms of the Holy Spirit as normative within personal lives and parish communities.

Please visit their web site at:

http://www.inholyspirit.org/about.html

The Most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ

Kissing your feet and with all the love I'm capable of, I beg you to render, as far as you can, all reverence and total adoration to the Most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all things in heaven and on earth are made peaceful and are reconciled to God the Almighty.

St. Francis
Letter to the Whole Order

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Fr. Gregory Bramlage

The Lord has called me into the way of simplicity and humility, and he has indeed made this way known through me and through all who choose to believe and follow me...He told me I am to be a new kind of fool in this world.

Mirror of Perfection, 68


Most people in their sixties reflect back upon their youth and reminisce about our long-lost youth. Many of us who were in our twenties during the beginnings of the Charismatic Renewal are now in our late fifties and early sixties. We idly reflect upon those "good times" as though they are gone forever. Like so many others, I too had moved on with my life, opting to concentrate more on Contemplative Prayer and Franciscan Holiness than remaining involved in the Renewal. After all, we all have to pass the baton sooner or later.

As God would have it, it was once again time for me to be knocked off my horse (my high horse.)

I first met Fr. Gregory Bramlage in 1996. St. Mary Catholic Church in Richmond, Indiana was his first assignment upon ordination to the priesthood. After moving on to his next assignment, I would run into him every once in a while around Indiana and Ohio, but only long enough to say "hi" and "goodbye." Then about a year ago I was told about this young priest who has a healing ministry and was really shaking things up in southern Indiana. People were coming from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois to be healed. The priest's name? Fr. Gregory Bramlage!

Then in early March I got an e-mail from Ralph Martin saying he was going to be a guest speaker at Fr. Bramlage's parish on August 11th, 2007 and that was the excuse I was looking for to attend one of these healing services.

What I experienced yesterday was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that I had never encountered before, even at national conferences. What impressed me most was the unassuming humility of both Fr. Gregory and Ralph Martin. Their accessability and kindness shown one-on-one with everyone there and the power of the Holy Spirit working in their daily lives reminded where St. Francis wrote, "Since spiritual joy springs from the heart's innocense and the purity of incessant prayer, these are the two virtues we need to acquire and keep."


My advice to everyone? Don't miss the March 2008 Conference featuring Bishop Sam Jacobs !!!

Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, India

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.

Rule of St. Clare, Chapter VI

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Remain Faithful To The Lord

We shouldn't flatter ourselves and boast about doing what any sinner can do. A sinner can fast, pray, weep, mortify the flesh. But this a sinner cannot do: Remain faithful to the Lord. Therefore this is what we should glory in: Rendering glory to our Lord, serving him faithfully, and acknowledging as his whatever he gives us.

Celano - Second Life, 134

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Ralph Martin - Indiana Healing Conference: Walking on Water

Please join Ralph Martin, Father Gregory Bramlage and Father Daniel Wilder on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at East Central High School in St. Leon, Indiana at the Indiana Healing Conference !

Ralph Martin is the President of Renewal Ministries and the host of the weekly television program The Choices We Face. He is the author of several books on the Catholic Church and spirituality and audio albums on the teaching of the saints. He is the Director of Graduate Programs in The New Evangelization at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. Ralph is also Assistant Professor of Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit as well as Visiting Professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Ralph and his wife Anne have six children and six grandchildren.

Sponsored by St. Nicholas Catholic Church Sunman, Indiana

Monday, August 06, 2007

PRAY FOR PEACE !!!

One Minute Each Night during WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped. There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: Each evening at 9:00 P.M. Eastern, 8:00 P.M. Central, 7:00 P.M. Mountain, 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time, stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens and for peace in the world. It has been said that if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most valuable asset we have.

Saturday, August 04, 2007

In Pursuit of Perfection

"What you hold, may you always hold,
What you do, may you always do and never abandon.
But with swift pace, light step,
Unswerving feet,
So that even your steps stir up no dust,
May you go forward
Securely,joyfully, and swiftly,
On the path of prudent happiness,
Not believeing anything,
Not agreeing with anything,
That would dissuade you from this resolution
Or that would place a stumbling block for you on the way,
So that you may offer your vows to the Most High
In the pursuit of that perfection
To which the Spirit of the Lord has called you."

St. Clare's "Second Letter to Agnes of Prague"

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Arguing

And all the brothers are to guard against speaking falsely of anyone and are to avoid verbal disputes. Rather, let them seek to keep silent whenever God gives them the grace to do so. And they are not to argue among themselves, nor with others, but they are to strive to respond with humility, saying, "We are useless servants."

Rule of 1221, Chapter XI

Sunday, July 29, 2007

God Will Never Refuse Food And Clothing To The Poor Of Christ

Pope Honorius III tried to persuade Saint Francis to accept some revenues, predicting that his friars would suffer many miseries if they lived entirely on alms. The Saint replied, "I confide in the Lord Jesus, that as he has promised, and will give us, life and eternal glory in heaven, he will not refuse us the small amount of food and clothing which are necessary for the body on earth."

St.Francis of Assisi
Miscellaneous Writings

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Regarding Government Taxes

It is not lawful to take the things of others to give to the poor. It is a sin worthy of punishment, not an act deserving a reward, to give away what belongs to others.

St. Francis of Assisi
Admonitions To The Bretheren

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

THANKSGIVING

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!

Psalm 8

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Contemplation

In contemplation, God slakes the soul's thirst and feeds its hunger, according to Guigo II. God gives the meditator a new wine and lifts him or her above the normal meditative self into the sphere of experienced transcendence. Here at last is an infused element of prayer. Here the Holy Spirit prays in the human spirit.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Prayer Against Hunters

MARION DOYLE

Little brown brother of the Umbrian hills,
Childlike and pure, you surely are the one
To hear a plea of pity for the ills
Man visits on all helpless things that run
Or creep and fly beneath the stars and sun.

Guard them, I pray, from human lust and greed-
The beautiful, the saucy and the shy-
And teach mankind to know wild creatures' need
Of confidence when human feet go by;
A heart that almost bursts the walls of flesh,
The frozen terror in a small bright eye,
Are plea enough for their immunity.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Contemplating On The Wounds Of The Savior

Pondering sacred Scripture was the way the early monks, the desert fathers and mothers, and in fact the people of the bible, prayed. And the monks developed a traditional method for doing that, the ingredients of which we find rehearsed in John of the Cross when he writes: "Seek in reading and you will find in meditation; knock in prayer and it will be opened to you in contemplation" (Sayings, #158).

Saturday, March 03, 2007

A Lenten Rosary: Become Hidden In The Wounds Of The Savior


The Scourging at the Pillar


With joy-filled devotion 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.

Celano – First Life – 71


Just as that whip scourged Your precious and holy body, Lord Jesus, so take that very same whip into your hands and beat me from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. Lay wide open my sins and my sinful nature, to be exposed to the healing power of the Son, the Son of the Everliving God.

Lord Jesus, I pray that as I search along that path into Your outstretched arms, that if I deviate from that path, that You take that whip and drive me back onto that narrow path to righteousness.



The Crown of Thorns

When he was asked why he went about the countryside weeping, St. Francis said, “I should travel through all the world and, without any false shame, cry and moan over the passion of my Lord!”

Legend of Perugia – 37


Lord Jesus Christ, my Beloved, just as that Crown of Thorns was placed upon your precious and holy head, please take that very same Crown of Thorns and place it upon my unworthy and sinful head for as you told me in your own 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…”


Lord Jesus, I humbly beg You to place Your crown of thorns upon my sinful and unworthy head. I pray that Your Crown blocks any thoughts that are not from you from entering into my mind. Lord Jesus, I pray that only Your good and holy thoughts are able to penetrate Your Crown into
my mind. Give me Your Knowledge and Wisdom and allow me to come into complete union with You.



The Nails Pierce His Precious Hands


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

St. Bonaventure – Major Life 9:4

Lord Jesus, just as those nails pierced Your precious and holy hands, so I willingly invite You to take those very same nails into Your fists and drive them into my unworthy and sinful hands to make me Your “Carpenter Apprentice,” so that I can "Go, and rebuild Your house, which is falling completely to ruin!"

Lord Jesus, as my soul walks blindly through the dark night of my soul, I humbly offer You my hands as a little child to his Big Brother. I beg You to take my sinful hands into Yours and ask you to lead me out of the darkness and into the Light...the Light of Christ.


The Nail Pierces His Precious Feet


God called St.Francis and his companions and chose them to bear the cross of Christ in their hearts and to preach it in word and action. That is why they looked like and were in fact crucified men in their comportment and in their austere life, in their deeds and actions. And that is why they wanted more to receive shame and insults for the love of Christ than the world's vain honors or respect or praise; and that is why they were saddened when they were honored. And so they went through the world as pilgrims and strangers, with Christ crucified as their only baggage.

Little Flowers of St. Francis – Chapter 5

My sweet Lord Jesus, please take that very nail that pierced Your precious and holy feet into Your hands and drive it through my unworthy and sinful feet. “Shod” my feet with that nail for the the preparation of the Gospel, commissioning me to take Your “Good News” to all the corners of the earth.


The Spear Pierces The Heart of Jesus


Receive the Body and the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ with great humility and with veneration, remembering the words of the Lord: “Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life” and, “Do this in remembrance of me.”

Rule 1221, Chapter XX


Oh sweet Brother Jesus, I beg You to take that very spear that pierced Your Most Precious and Holy Heart and “run me through!” Impale me, Oh Lord! Wound my soul! Pierce my heart and soul with Your love for all mankind; every man, woman and child, regardless of Race, Color or Creed. Dear brother Jesus, I beg you to drive that spear deep into my heart and soul so that all my sins and sinful nature pours out onto the dust and dung heaps of the earth, to be replaced by Your total Being, Your Holy Spirit, our Father's Love, and our Father's Joy!



Now hidden in the tomb... contemplation... silence... listening... expectant... emptied of all... peace... serenity... quiet... God is present... only God.... complete emptying of self... plunged into the dark night of his presence.

Secret Wisdom Is Called A Ladder

A thief climbs a ladder to break into the vault where treasures are stored. The soul, too, ascends the secret contemplation to plunder the riches of heaven.

St. John of the Cross