The Knights Of The Round Table

 

St. Francis said, "There are many brothers who day and night put all their energy and all their attention into the pursuit of knowledge, thereby abandoning prayer and their holy vocation. And when they have preached to a few men or to the people, and learn that certain ones were edified or converted to penance through their discourse, they are puffed up and pride themselves on the results and works of others. For, those whom they think they edified or converted to penance by their discourse were actually edified and converted by God through the prayers of the holy brothers who are completely ignorant of it; God wishes it this way for fear it should be grounds for pride for them. Behold my Knights of the Round Table: the brothers who hide in abandoned and secluded places to devote themselves with more fervor to prayer and meditation, to weep over their sins and those of others. Their holiness is known only to God, but most often unknown to the brothers and to men."

Saint Francis of Assisi

Legend of Perugia - 71

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Adoration

 

The Pond at the Portiuncula Hermitage in Jerusalem, Ohio

Adoration is a way of life with us, and therefore we are never idle. St. Francis taught us how idle busyness is because it is never totally present to anything. Sometimes the brothers and sisters spend entire afternoons enrapt by the melody of a waterfall, and praises spontaneously rise from our innermost being and roll out our mouths. Because we are present to the water, we are present to God, and we are all called to be present to God who dwells in every creature.

A Franciscan Brother

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As For Me, Color Me "Rigid!"

 

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The Tertiary Monthly Pledge

 

 

All:  Realizing the importance of saving my immortal soul * and the great value of the Third Order Rule * to achieve this all important goal in life * I hereby resolve to observe this sanctifying Rule * not only in part * but as fully as human frailty will allow.

With God's grade, * I will assist at Holy Mass on weekdays, whenever possible * recite my Seraphic Office faithfully * never omit grace before and after meals * and examine my conscience each night.

I will receive the Sacraments at least once a month * attend the fraternity meetings regularly * and contribute according to my means for the charities of the Order.

I will always carefully observe the Commandments of God and the Church * wear my Scapular and Cord * avoid extravagance in dress and manner of living * avoid dangerous amusements * be temperate in food and drink * set a good example to my family and fellow-man * avoid dangerous reading * be at peace with all * avoid vulgar and improper speech * and practice charity towards all * with special solicitude toward sick and deceased members.

May Saint Francis * so wonderful in penance and love of Jesus Crucified * grant me the necessary spirit of prayer * penance * love and sacrifice * so that I may faithfully observe his rule until death. Amen.

Ritual for Public Functions
FRANCISCAN THIRD ORDER
by
Mark Hegener, O.F.M.
Franciscan Herald Press, 1955

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Mega Churches Provoke Criticism And Set A Bad Example

 

The Portiuncula Chapel at the 

Little Portion Friary Berryville, AR

Photo courtesy of John Michael Talbot

St. Francis taught that churches are to be small; we are not to build great churches in order to preach to the people, or for any other reason, for they show greater humility and a better example when they visit other churches to preach. Religious or secular, visit their houses, their humble little dwellings, cells, and tiny churches will speak for themselves, and these things will edify them more than any words.

Francis also said, 'Friars often raise large buildings, and violate our holy poverty, and by doing so provoke criticism and set a bad example. And sometimes, in order to obtain a better or holier place, or larger congregation, they abandon their own house out of covetousness and greed; or they will pull them down and build others that are large and pretentious. Consequently, those who have contributed to their cost, and others who see it, are greatly offended and distressed.'

Saint Francis of Assisi

Mirror of Perfection - 10

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No Long Winded Sermons

 

St. Francis was convinced that leading sinners to conversion was more acceptable to the merciful Father than any sacrifice, particularly if it was done in a spirit of perfect charity, more by example than by preaching, more by fervent prayer than by long-winded sermons.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Bonaventure, Major Life

Chapter VIII

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"Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth: For Thy love is better than wine."

 

"Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth: For Thy love is better than wine."

Song of Solomon 1:2

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Epiphanytide

 

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Either on Twelfth Night (5 January), the twelfth day of Christmastide and eve of the feast of Ephiphany, or Epiphany Day (6 January) itself, many Christians, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Roman Catholics, among others, write on their doors with chalk in a pattern such as 20 + C + M + B + 23 with the numbers referring "to the calendar year (20 and 23, for instance, for this year, 2023); the crosses stand for Christ; and the letters have a two-fold significance: C, M, and B are the initials for the traditional names of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar), but they are also an abbreviation of the Latin blessing Christus mansionem benedicat, which means, May Christ bless this house. Another form for Three Kings Day is to mark the door with IIIK (the Roman numeral three followed by "K" for "Kings.") Chalking the door is done most commonly on Epiphany Day itself, although it can be done on any day of the Epiphany season. In some localities the chalk used to write the Epiphanytide pattern is blessed by a Christian priest or minister on Epiphany Day itself, then taken home to write the pattern.

The Christian custom of chalking the door has a biblical precedent as the Israelites in the Old Testament marked their doors in order to be saved from death; likewise, the Epiphanytide practice serves to protect Christian homes from evil spirits until the next Epiphany Day, at which time the custom is repeated. Families also perform this act to represent the hospitality of the Holy Family to the Magi (and all Gentiles); it thus serves as a house blessing to invite the presence of God into one's home. 

From the Catholic Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments:

The blessing of homes, on whose lintels are inscribed the Cross of salvation, together with the indication of the year and the initials of the three wise men (C+M+B), which can also be interpreted to mean Christus mansionem benedicat, written in blessed chalk; this custom, often accompanied by processions of children accompanied by their parents, expresses the blessing of Christ through the intercession of the three wise men and is an occasion for gathering offerings for charitable and missionary purposes.

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The Coal Carried By The Seraph Cleansed The Lips Of Isaiah

 

"In the ancient Syriac Church, the rite of Communion distribution was compared to the scene of the purification of the Prophet Isaiah by the seraph In one of his sermons, St. Ephrem puts these words on Christ's lips.

"The coal carried [by the seraph] cleansed the lips of Isaiah. It is I Who, carried now to you by means of bread, have sanctified you. The tongs which the Prophet saw and which the coal was taken from the altar, were the figure of Me in the great Sacrament. Isaiah saw Me, as you see Me now extending My right hand and carrying to your mouths the living Bread. The tongs are My right hand. I take the place of the seraph. The coal is My Body. All of you are Isaiah."

DOMINUS EST - It is the Lord!

by

The Most Reverend

ATHANASIUS SCHNEIDER

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First Saturday Exposition, Latin Rosary and Latin Mass Continues Into 2023

 

On Saturday, January 7th, the First Saturday of January we will continue with our First Saturday devotions. There will be a rosary prayed in Latin at 7:30 a.m. followed by a period of meditation at 8:00 a.m. and then finally Mass at 8:30 a.m. and potluck afterwards in the basement of St. Sylvester’s Church. All are welcome to attend. Our Lady promises us that if we observe the Five First Saturdays as she has requested we will receive the grace to die in sanctifying grace. Confessions will be heard starting at 7:30 a.m. I hope everyone will have a good week as we begin 2023!! 

Yours Sincerely, 

Father Timothy Davison

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Special Epiphany Blessing Of Water

 

On Thursday, January 5th I will bless water with a special Epiphany Blessing at 4:00 p.m. The ceremony of blessing takes about 45 minutes and will be done at St. Sylvester’s Church. It will be done in Latin. If anyone is interested in having water blessed that day please bring a container of water to set on the table in front of the first pew. Salt may also be brought to be blessed. The salt can be used then for cooking or for sprinkling around the house. Both blessings include exorcisms. The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated in the traditional calendar on January 6th but in the new calendar it is moved to Sunday, January 8th.

Yours Sincerely, 

Father Timothy Davison

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Lay Eucharistic Ministers Are Forbidden Within The Catholic Mass

 

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Inspired By Silence

 

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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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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December 28, The Feast Of The Martyrdom Of The Holy Innocents

 

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Seized With Fear For A Morsel Of Bread

 

Our whole being should be seized with fear, the whole world should tremble and heaven rejoice, when Christ the Son of the Living God is present on the altar in the hands of the priest! What wonderful majesty! What stupendous condescension! O sublime humility! O humble sublimity! That the Lord of the whole universe, God and the Son of God, should humble himself like this under the form of a little vread, for our salvation!

Saint Francis of Assisi

LETTER TO THE GENERAL CHAPTER

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Concerning The Conversion Of A Soldier

There was a certain strong soldier who had won many victories and later became a Friar Minor. And when soldiers laughed at him because he had joined such an Order rather than the Templars or a similar Order where he could do much good and still fight battles, he replied: "I tell you that when I feel thirst, hunger, cold, and such things, the impulse of pride and concupiscence and such stll attacks me. How much worse would it be if I saw my feet shod in armor and I was on a hadsome horse and so on!"

And he added: "So far I was strong in fighting others-from now on I want to be strong in fighting myself!"

Little Flowers of St. Francis - 17

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It Is I Who Continues To Crucify Jesus

 

"Even the devils were not solely responsible for crucifying Jesus; it was you who crucified him with them and you continue to crucify him by taking pleasure in your vices and sins."

Saint Francis of Assisi

The Admonitions

Admonition V

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The Massacre Of The Innocents

 

The Massacre of the Innocents is the incident described in the nativity narrative of the Gospel of Matthew (2:16–18) in which Herod the Great, king of Judea, orders the execution of all male children who are two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. The Catholic Church regards them as the first Christian martyrs, and their feast – Holy Innocents' Day (or the Feast of the Holy Innocents) – is celebrated on 28 December

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Those Who Only Point The Way Of Salvation To Others

 

"Those who have cared for nothing except to know and point out the way of salvation to others, and have made no effort to follow it themselves, will stand naked and empty-handed before the judgement-seat of Christ, bearing only the sheaves of confusion, shame and grief."

Saint Francis of Assisi

Mirror of Perfection - 72

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Dominus Est - Bishop Athanasius Schneider

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Dominus Est - It Is The Lord by Athanasius Schneider

 

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In The Hand Experiment

 

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Merry Christmas From The Portiuncula!

 

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Archbishop Vigano Defends Fr. Frank Pavone

 

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My Dear Fiend, Father Frank Pavone, Talks With Dr. Taylor Marshall

 

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Christmas Miracle Taking Place Now

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The Real Presence In The Eucharist

 

The Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage and Retreat Center talks about the Real Presence in the Eucharist; the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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The Real Presence: The Body, Blood, Soul And Divinity Of Our Lord Jesus Christ

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

Saint Francis of Assisi

Admonition I

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Father Pavone Responds to Pope Francis

 

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