Today's Minute Meditation is in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, an artisan of peace. ☮️
Hello John,
In a world full of uncertainties, it's vital to live in the present moment and trust in God's plan. This means letting go of worries about the future and finding peace in God's constant care. This is an important message from the friars and Franciscan Media community. Today’s email inspires me to trust in God's grace and protection and stay strong in my faith no matter what challenges I face in life. I pray today’s email inspires you as much as it has me. If you are moved to act, please consider joining the friars’ work with a gift to Franciscan Media. Donate today! |
Saint of the Day for June 12: Jolenta of Poland Blessed Jolenta of Poland’s Story Jolenta was the daughter of Bela IV, King of Hungary. Her sister, St. Kunigunde, was married to the Duke of Poland. Jolenta was sent to Poland where her sister was to supervise her education. Eventually married to Boleslaus, the Duke of Greater Poland, Jolenta was able to use her material means to assist the poor, the sick, widows, and orphans. Her husband joined her in building hospitals, convents, and churches so that he was surnamed “the Pious.” Upon the death of her husband and the marriage of two of her daughters, Jolenta and her third daughter entered the convent of the Poor Clares. War forced Jolenta to move to another convent where despite her reluctance, she was made abbess. So well did Jolenta serve her Franciscan sisters by word and example, that her fame and good works continued to spread beyond the walls of the cloister. Her favorite devotion was the Passion of Christ. Indeed, Jesus appeared to her, telling her of her coming death. Many miracles, down to our own day, are said to have occurred at her grave. Reflection Jolenta’s story begins like a fairy tale. But fairy tales seldom include the death of the prince and never end with the princess living out her days in a convent. Nonetheless, Jolenta’s story has a happy ending. Her life of charity toward the poor and devotion to her Franciscan sisters indeed brought her to a “happily ever after.” Our lives may be short on fairy tale elements, but our generosity and our willingness to serve well the people we live with lead us toward an ending happier than we can imagine.
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Discover this Franciscan classic by one of today's top spiritual teachers, Ilia Delio! The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective. |
God's Gift of Peace Francis promoted peace among his friars, among the Poor Clares, among the Secular Franciscans, among all people. Thomas of Celano writes that the immensely popular Francis “seemed to be a man of another world” (First Life, 36). Francis called people back into the peace and harmony of a world into which God had created the human family and which was as fragile in Francis’s day as it is in our own. Peace is a gift from God. Human actions that cooperate with God’s grace activate peace in the world. On October 27, 1986, St. John Paul II invited leaders of world religions to Assisi to pray and fast there for the sake of world peace. At the concluding prayer service, the pope called those present and everyone who would hear or read his words to be “artisans of peace.” Francis of Assisi was certainly an artisan of peace. —from the book Peace and Good: Through the Year with Francis of Assisi
by Pat McCloskey, OFM |
For more than 130 years, St. Anthony Messenger magazine has been helping its readers become more joyful, loving peacemakers by exploring many of the issues that are facing the Church and the world today, through a Franciscan lens. |
A Call to Joy for Pride Month Reflect Sometimes it can feel difficult to feel accepted and loved for who we are. For our LGBTQIIA+ friends, colleagues, and family members, there often is much hurt and pain. May all those who celebrate Pride Month know their God-given dignity, worth and feel the gaze of God’s love upon them in every aspect of their lives. Pray God who never excludes a beloved child,
May all of your children know are precious
and know they are in your eyes;
that you wouldn’t change one thing about them—
including their gender, identity, or sexuality.
May Pride Month be a time of blessing, joy, and peace for all who celebrate.
Amen. Act In what way(s) during this Pride Month can you be an ally to the LGBTQIIA+ community? And what personal biases may be in my own heart or mind that prevent me from doing so? Consider watching a few YouTube videos on the history of Pride Month. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Patricia Breen. Learn more here! |
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