Enjoy today's prayer tip from Fr. Gary Caster! đ
Hello John,
Todayâs saints in Saint of the Day, are about the inspiring stories of two martyrs, John Jones and John Wall, who sacrificed their lives for their faith in England during the 16th and 17th centuries. Their unwavering dedication to their beliefs serves as a testament to their courage and devotion to their faith. If you are moved by their stories and would like to support the continued sharing of such inspirational faith, consider making a donation to Franciscan Media. Your contribution will help us to continue spreading these stories of faith and dedication. Donate today! |
Saint of the Day for July 12: John Jones and John Wall Saint John Jones (c.1530 â 1598) and Saint John Wall (1620 â 1679) Saint John Jonesâ and Saint John Wallâs stories These two friars were martyred in England in the 16th and 17th centuries for refusing to deny their faith. John Jones was Welsh. He was ordained a diocesan priest and was twice imprisoned for administering the sacraments before leaving England in 1590. He joined the Franciscans at the age of 60 and returned to England three years later while Queen Elizabeth I was at the height of her power. John ministered to Catholics in the English countryside until his imprisonment in 1596. He was condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. John was executed on July 12, 1598. John Wall was born in England but was educated at the English College of Douai, Belgium. Ordained in Rome in 1648, he entered the Franciscans in Douai several years later. In 1656 he returned to work secretly in England. In 1678, Titus Oates worked many English people into a frenzy over an alleged papal plot to murder the king and restore Catholicism in that country. In that year Catholics were legally excluded from Parliament, a law which was not repealed until 1829. John Wall was arrested and imprisoned in 1678, and was executed the following year. John Jones and John Wall were canonized in 1970. Reflection Every martyr knows how to save his/her life and yet refuses to do so. A public repudiation of the faith would save any of them. But some things are more precious than life itself. These martyrs prove that their 20th-century countryman, C. S. Lewis, was correct in saying that courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point, that is, at the point of highest reality.
|
Discover this Franciscan classic! Ilia Delio, OSF, shows how the Franciscan way can offer to all Christians an intimate and wholehearted approach to prayer. Franciscan Prayer: Awakening to Oneness with God |
Celebrate the Tension The tension within each of us is not necessarily bad and is not sinful. Like our human emotions, the tension our longing causes is neutral. Those who play stringed instruments know the importance of tension with respect to producing a desired note. Those who are skilled with a bow and arrow (by the way, in Hebrew the word sin comes from archery) understand the importance of having the correct amount of tension to hit the target. Some of the greatest music our lives play before the Lord flows from our willingness to strike the right chord even when we do not really want to. Hitting the bullâs-eye in terms of living our humanity rightly also rests upon the proper amount of tension. Imagine the music your life and mine can make before the Lord. I think this is a much more positive way to think about those moments that seem to test us. âfrom St. Anthony Messengerâs âLet Us Pray: Be Fearless in Prayerâ
by Fr. Gary Caster |
Delve into Ilia Delio's timeless work on the Franciscan approach to prayer. Franciscan Prayer: Awakening to Oneness with God |
Building Consensus, Embracing Dialogue Reflect One of the key challenges we often face is the need to build consensus among diverse individuals with varying perspectives, opinions, and priorities. Building consensus requires us to embody the principles of dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respectâqualities that are deeply rooted in the Franciscan tradition. Pray All powerful and loving God,
We are called to approach consensus-building
with humility, patience, and a willingness to listen and learn from others.
Help us to embrace diversity and foster a culture of dialogue and collaboration,
so that we create spaces for the Holy Spirit to move in and among us,
guiding our decisions and actions towards greater unity and harmony.
Amen. Act Consider how you can embody the spirit of St. Francis in your life, fostering a culture of dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect among your friends, family members, and coworkers. Todayâs Pause+Pray was written by Paul Lipowski. Learn more here! |
This newsletter is not free to produce! Please consider making a donation to help us in our efforts to share God's love in the spirit of St. Francis. |
|
