Our Saint of the Day was canonized by another saint—Paul VI! 😇
July 2, 2025
Dear Friend,
As the world struggles with war, violence, and aggression, I think about St. Francis of Assisi. In particular when...
The poor man embraced the leper. The road to conversion is never an easy one to travel, but St. Francis of Assisi didn't choose an easy life. When he dismounted his horse to greet a leper on the side of a road, what once repulsed him had become, in that holy moment, a source of great comfort. “When I had once become acquainted with them, what had previously nauseated me became a source of physical consolation for me,” he wrote. “After that, I did not wait long before leaving the world.”
At Franciscan Media, every piece of content we create is designed to bring you closer to God and to give your spirit a lift. Will you consider a gift to Franciscan Media to inspire others on their road to conversion? Your gift will produce new resources for generations to come. Donate today!
The name of today’s saint is especially familiar to the Irish and the English—and with good reason. The English martyred Oliver Plunkett for defending the faith in his native Ireland during a period of severe persecution.
Born in County Meath in 1629, Oliver studied for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained there in 1654. After some years of teaching and service to the poor of Rome he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland. Four years later, in 1673, a new wave of anti-Catholic persecution began, forcing Archbishop Plunkett to do his pastoral work in secrecy and disguise and to live in hiding. Meanwhile, many of his priests were sent into exile, schools were closed, Church services had to be held in secret, and convents and seminaries were suppressed. As archbishop, Plunkett was viewed as ultimately responsible for any rebellion or political activity among his parishioners.
Archbishop Plunkett was arrested and imprisoned in Dublin Castle in 1679, but his trial was moved to London. After deliberating for 15 minutes, a jury found him guilty of fomenting revolt. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered in July 1681. Pope Paul VI canonized Oliver Plunkett in 1975.
Reflection
Stories like that of Oliver Plunkett seem to fit history. “Things like that don’t happen today” is often our thought. But they do. False accusations, prejudice, anti-Catholic sentiments, racism, sexism, etc. are still an active reality in our day. Perhaps a prayer to Saint Oliver for peace and justice might be appropriate.
Thomas of Celano, an early friar and author of three hagiographies of Francis, wrote that the saint “burned with a love that came from his whole being for the sacrament of the Lord’s body.” And Francis sought to spread that fire to his brothers, to the lepers he embraced outside the walled city of Assisi, indeed to all those who longed for a closer relationship with God. It was the summit of his faith—and he wanted everybody at the table.
Francis of Assisi’s adoration of the Eucharist lit a fire in the hearts of those who have followed in his footsteps as daughters and sons of God. After 800 years, it burns there still.
During these troubling times, it can sometimes feel like we do not belong. In being disconnected from our communities and the lives we once knew, it is sometimes easy to believe the lie that we are lost or do not have a home. At a time when it is easy to feel separated, may we open our hearts and minds to be found by God and by others.
Pray
Belonging— my deepest longing, but who said the one sheep wanders? Maybe it’s the ninety-nine who sought conformity, idolizing uniformity, though diversity thrives in difference leaving the one with no choice but to find a new flock on the ridge. Maybe the story ends just the same no less, when I hear my name called in the dark by the Beloved as I’m tangled to die in vines. Great Shepherd, please find me. Amen.
Act
When you feel separated or alone today, breathe the last lines of today’s prayer: “Great (inhale) Shepherd (exhale), please (inhale) find (exhale) me (inhale), Amen (exhale).”
Today's Pause+Pray was written by Stephen Copeland. Learn more here!
