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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Pray on the Way: A Pilgrimage Story

I went through Italy last summer. Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs took our group to places associated with Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Pope John XXIII.
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Statue of St. Anthony and Jeuss | Photo by Wolfgang Krzemien

Franciscan Inspirations: Memories of Padua

As the feast of Saint Anthony (June 13) draws near, my memories go back to Padua where I spent several days in 2014.
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People gather for Midnight Mass

A Short Christmas Prayer

The prayers of the new translation of the Roman Missal, Third Edition have been in use for several weeks now.
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cross with the sun behind it | Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash

Giving Up on Giving Up: A Lenten Reflection

Years ago, as Lent approached, I asked a trusted spiritual counselor what he was going to give up. He gave me a sly grin and said, “I’m giving up giving things up for Lent.”
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Franciscan Inspirations: Learning to Be Human

Some of Jesus’ parables are long and difficult to interpret at times. But there are other times when the images Jesus uses make his teachings clear as crystal.
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footsteps in the sand | Photo by Alex Wigan on Unsplash

Following Christ with Small Steps

When we think of responding to God’s call, we often remember the dramatic stories. But the ordinary Christian wonders: Confronted with a massive, stupefying presence, usually starting with “Don’t be afraid,” who could say no?
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