What does Gospel leadership look like in the digital world? Think joy, welcome, and wisdom.
Dear Friend, To lead like St. Francis today is to embrace humility and joy, especially in a digital world that rewards performance over presence. It means showing up with compassion instead of competition, and offering welcome in place of judgment. At Franciscan Media, we’re not trying to be influencers—we’re trying to be instruments. Instruments of peace, beauty, and mercy. Having just moved back to North Carolina, I’m rediscovering what it means to lead with presence. Whether I’m catching up with one of my three nearby sisters or chatting with a neighbor over sweet tea, I’m reminded: Franciscan leadership is personal. It’s relational. It starts with listening. And that’s how we approach our digital mission, too. That’s the journey we’re on. We’re doing what’s necessary. With your help, we hope to do what’s possible—and maybe even what feels impossible. Join us and help shape a more hope-filled digital Church. |
Ela Milewska Digital Evangelization Strategist |
Saint of the Day for May 22:
Rita of Cascia (1381 – May 22, 1457) Listen to Saint Rita of Cascia’s Story Here Like Elizabeth Ann Seton, Rita of Cascia was a wife, mother, widow, and member of a religious community. Her holiness was reflected in each phase of her life. Born at Roccaporena in central Italy, Rita wanted to become a nun but was pressured at a young age into marrying a harsh and cruel man. During her 18-year marriage, she bore and raised two sons. After her husband was killed in a brawl and her sons had died, Rita tried to join the Augustinian nuns in Cascia. Unsuccessful at first because she was a widow, Rita eventually succeeded. Over the years, her austerity, prayerfulness, and charity became legendary. When she developed wounds on her forehead, people quickly associated them with the wounds from Christ’s crown of thorns. She meditated frequently on Christ’s passion. Her care for the sick nuns was especially loving. She also counseled lay people who came to her monastery. Beatified in 1626, Rita was not canonized until 1900. She has acquired the reputation, together with Saint Jude, as a saint of impossible cases. Many people visit her tomb each year. Reflection Although we can easily imagine an ideal world in which to live out our baptismal vocation, such a world does not exist. An “If only ….” approach to holiness never quite gets underway, never produces the fruit that God has a right to expect. Rita became holy because she made choices that reflected her baptism and her growth as a disciple of Jesus. Her overarching, lifelong choice was to cooperate generously with God’s grace, but many small choices were needed to make that happen. Few of those choices were made in ideal circumstances—not even when Rita became an Augustinian nun. Saint Rita of Cascia is the Patron Saint of: Difficult Marriages
Impossible Causes
Infertility
Parenthood
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Lead Like St. Francis When a leader leads as to elevate all their community, a rare thing happens: The leader opens herself or himself up to transformation. It is the quintessential Franciscan experience of going to the margins, beyond the walls, and kissing the leper. We have an abundance of stories from our tradition that teach us time and time again that we are called to a leadership model that demands mutuality, elevating every voice no matter background, education, or even creed as is the case of Francis’ meeting with the sultan. Every relationship carries the possibility of growth, including the relationship of leaders and followers. —from St. Anthony Messenger‘s “The Franciscan Nature of Leadership“
by Sara P. Marks |
Spiritual Weeding Reflect Have you ever weeded a garden? It is a very important practice, yet it can be frustrating as well. You must get down on your hands and knees and carefully pull them out by the roots unless you want them to come back. You may begin to wonder how it happened. Where did they all come from? Ask any gardener, it is a never-ending task. Like examining your conscience—getting down on your knees before the Lord and getting to work. But we have to make the time, and we have to stick to it, because sins are like spiritual weeds—just when you think you have your garden clear of them, they can creep in, take root, and come back. Pray Lord
In the goodness of your love
make me a fruitful vine;
guide my heart and hand, as I try once again
to clear the way, to pluck out the weed of sin
and turn the fertile soil of my life over
to you to be nourished always
by the blessing of your love. Act Do you have a garden? Spend 30 minutes weeding. Pulling weeds is hard work, but it teaches us patience and the importance of sticking to it. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Bruce Epperly. Learn more here! |
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