Franciscan Spirit Blog

The Inbreaking of the Word: Week 4 of Advent

From Father Jim: "While we celebrate the birth of Christ as this great memorial, as this great celebration, as this great solemnity. We are a people with feet in two worlds, the world to come and the world that is ...
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Mother Teresa: Love in Action

From first to last, the spirituality that inspired Mother Teresa and her sisters was centered on Jesus Christ. It was he whom they heard in silent prayer, he who sustained their faith, he whom they lovingly served, and he who ...
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Understanding the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick used to be called “the Last Rites” or “Extreme Unction” because the usual recipient was a dying person. Many Catholics still carry cards or wear medals so that, if they are in an ...
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St. Francis and the Incarnation

Saint Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) was an enthusiastic champion of Christmas, the birthday of his leader and Lord.
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Story of the Sacred Heart

Devotion to the heart pierced on Calvary is nearly as old as Christianity, but it has undergone many changes over the centuries.
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Cross poking out of the grass

St. Francis and the Cross of Christ

When we look at the mystery of Jesus, this evokes quite a different sense of the divine.
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Members of the Missionaries of Charity attend a service marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Teresa of Kolkata in this Aug. 26, 2010, file photo. Pope Francis has approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Teresa, paving the way for her canonization in 2016. (CNS photo/Deshakalayan Chowdhur, Reuters pool)

Learning from St. Teresa of Calcutta

When she was declared a saint, did Mother Teresa strut around heaven and rub it in that she has been officially recognized whereas most of the other souls there have not? Unlikely. We formally recognize saints not for their benefit, but for ours.
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