Prayer for vocations to the Franciscan Order
“Lady Poverty”
Dear Lord, St. Francis suffered the sufferings of Christ and simplified his life to the point of almost perpetual penance.
But yet, unlike us, he was happy without a car, the internet,
television, a phone, perhaps because he saw the twin poverty
of low wages to make many more products and the effect of
being distracted by a lot of possessions that possess our time.
Nevertheless, Lord, St. Francis inspires us in the garden with
reusing the many plastic boxes, whether for grapes, strawberries,
or slices of chicken, to protect the vegetable seeds growing in
the old ice-cream tubs, yoghurt pots, and even proper plant pots.
As a family of ten, Mary, we use and reuse clothes and toys,
play-time in the parks, on walks, in the woods, marvelling, even
now at the many and diverse shapes and sizes of leaves, and dots
of colour even in the familiar candle-blossoms of the conker tree.
Growing, as our children do, and outgrowing the garden, the
yard and edge of the grass begin to be places to grow our own
runner beans, lettuce, garlic, tomatoes, and courgettes, in boxes
used for recycling, old bins and buckets, now full of fruit skins.
Dear Mary, how you must have mended and darned, sewed and
cut, cloth and old clothes, woven or skin, that made and remade
what your family wore as they grew and worked and toiled in
the heat, drying out what was already dry, oiled and cracking.
In your trade, St. Joseph, were you able to keep the scraps of
wood to burn for warmth in the cold nights or for cooking? Or
did you even save the scraps and make a toy, a stool, a table,
for use at home or to earn a little extra at the maker’s market?
So now, when I mend a shelf or even the car, though cars were
not of your time, still I ask and even beg for help, to keep it on a
wall a bit longer or on the road another year, although the time
is coming when we will need to pray for more than we can earn.
Dear St. Joseph, keep those that abound across the global world, scarcely scrabbling for the minerals needed by the latest smart cars, costing more than a housing estate and earning and selling for
more than a million times more than the scrabblers in the dirt.
Oh Holy Family, you know what you needed to live and you lived for busy in others and hunted, like an animal, for all that can be sold more
than shared, robbed more than farmed, is still here to grow and feed.
by Francis Etheredge Profiles Catholicism
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
by Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
Franciscan Interviews
Franciscan Articles/Commentaries
Featured Report
Saint Francis and the Sultan by Father John O'Brien, OFM Profiles in Catholicism ·
All The Beauty I See by Father John O'Brien, OFM Profiles in Catholicism
Franciscan General Articles and Commentaries
Discover how Franciscan theology can shape your life, community, and world by Tony Magliano Commonweal Magazine
Indonesian nun lightens load on poor single mothers .Franciscan Sister Maria Katharina teaches women the skills to support themselves and their children by Konradus Epa UCA News
Guided by Franciscan charism, shelter serves growing number of homeless by Michael Brown Catholic News Service/America
Justice Samuel Alito to address record-breaking 2024 class at Franciscan University by Kate Quiñones Catholic News Agency
A Franciscan retreat helps a son retrace his father’s footsteps by Gregory Orfalea Angelus
Top Franciscan appeals to friars to stay in Holy Land despite threats by Elise Ann Allen Crux
Franciscan AI expert warns of technology becoming a 'pseudo-religion' by Justin McLellan Catholic News Agency/The Pilot Link to Artificial Intelligence, Chatbox, Chatbot, and Robotics
Franciscan reflects on Spirituality of the Taj Mahal by Joseph Victor Edwin SJ Independent Catholic News
Franciscan Friars of California File for Federal Bankruptcy Protection by Adam Horowitz Law
Father Dave Interviews Brother Malachy by Busted Halo
Walter Reed backtracks, restores contract with Franciscan priests by John Lavenburg Crux
Why art struggles to understand St. Francis by Joseph Joyce Angelus Link to Spirituality and Art
Discipleship Demands by Acting Franciscan
God so loved the world… by Franciscan Action Network
World War II chaplain remembered for one day of bravery by Michelle Martin Our Sunday Visitor Link to US Military and Veterans
Navajo Catholics upset after Franciscans transfer historic mission to local diocese by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola National Catholic Reporter
Franciscan friar’s attack on bishops and doctrine is a theological disaster by Alex Giltner, Ph.D. Catholic World Report
Dismantling Environmental Racism by Sr. Damien Marie Savino, F.S.E., Ph.D. Franciscan Action Network Link to Environment and Climate Challenges, Advocacy, and Response and Racial Challenges and Leadership
Reflection on receiving Franciscan Vision Award by Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF Franciscan Action Network
New allegations charge Franciscan University abuse cover up by The Pillar
Seeing Holy Mass with Franciscan Eyes by Peter Kwasniewski, PhD One Peter 5
Lawsuit alleges serial assault by CFR Franciscan by The Pillar
Santa Barbara Franciscans Hit with New Sexual Assault Complaint by Nick Welsh Santa Barbara Independent
Franciscan sisters' land acknowledgment ceremony honors Indigenous nations by Sam Lucero Catholic News Service/Global Sisters Report
The Poor People’s Campaign and the Franciscan Call by Julie Leininger Pycior Acting Franciscan
Franciscan T.O.R removed from chaplaincy at D.C. Veteran’s home by SNAP
Former Franciscan friar convicted of 1990s child sex abuse by The Associated Press
Former Franciscan friar Morrier sentenced on sex crimes by Paul Giannamore WTOV Fox 9
Franciscan University’s David Morrier Pleads Guilty by Mary Pezzulo Patheos
Meet the Franciscan sisters who live (and pray) across the street from an abortion clinic by Leonardo Colon Catholic News Agency
Franciscans in Syracuse sue for being 'repeatedly disturbed' by loud concerts, marijuana market by Joe Bukuras Catholic News Agency
Thieves rob Franciscan church, desecrate tabernacle in Chile by Giselle Vargas Catholic News Agency
The church's complicity in dehumanizing the LGBTQ community in Ghana by Daniel P. Horan National Catholic Reporter
Pope calls Secular Franciscans to closeness, compassion, tenderness by Vatican News
Franciscan says her vocation put her on path to ‘peace, joy, happiness’ by Katie Camario Crux Link to Religious Vocations
No one should ever go hungry – yet millions do by Franciscan Action Network
Holy Name Province releases list of Franciscan friars credibly accused of child sex abuse by Sean Mickey WKBW
Family Life and Public Policy by Franciscan Action Network
Recent transphobic statements from bishops make truth claims without facts by Daniel P. Horan National Catholic Reporter
But who or what do you say creation is? It's us too by Daniel P. Horan National Catholic Reporter
World’s worst humanitarian crisis by Tony Magliano Franciscan Action Network Link to Humanitarian Crises
Chicago Cardinal holds officers, their families 'in prayer,' decries gun violence by Catholic News Service/National Catholic Reporter Link to Gun Violence
Trump Media’s accounting firm charged with ‘massive fraud’ by Matt Egan CNN Link to Financial Crimes and Improprieties
Bolsonaro’s election fraud claims spark ‘unprecedented crisis’ Brazil’s president is parroting Donald Trump’s fraud claims to prepare to contest next year’s elections, experts say by Sam Cowie Aljazeera Link to False Election Claims
Germany's top Franciscan calls for ordination of women priests by Katholische Nachrichter-Agentur National Catholic Reporter Link to Women Challenges and Leadership
Franciscans elect Italian as 121st successor to St. Francis of Assisi by Cindy Wooden The Pilot
Franciscans open general chapter focusing on diversity, evangelization by Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service/National Catholic Reporter Link to Evangelization
Franciscan spiritual wisdom to navigate the 'digital continent' by Daniel P. Horan National Catholic Reporter
Why the church should fight anti-transgender legislation by Daniel P. Horan National Catholic Reporter
Biden administration's climate agenda reflects spirit of Laudato Si' by Daniel P. Horan Earthbeat
From Fear to Love in Action by Br. John Kiesler, OFM Mission Doctors Association
Franciscan leaders urge ‘boldness’ by U.S. to end violence in Holy Land by Catholic News Service/Crux
‘We are all brothers,’ Franciscan in Jericho says of iftar gifts by Judith Sudilovsky Catholic News Service
A reflection on the Prayer of St. Francis by Franciscan Action Network
A Franciscan Capuchin Writes in Defense of Pope Francis - "Building Bridges" by Brother Paul Coleman The Catholic World Report
Love is of God by Sr. Maryann Mueller, CSSF Acting Franciscan
Conflicting loyalties: the Irish Franciscans and the English Crown in the High Middle Ages by Anne Müller JSTOR
Franciscan University studying herd immunity, coronavirus by Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
Former Durham Franciscan friar barred from ministry after sexual misconduct investigation by Josh Shaffer The News and Observer
Marching for Human Rights by Jocelyn Thomas Franciscan Friars Holy Name Provence Link to Human Rights and Human Rights Violations
When beloved individualism runs into the common good by Dan Misleh Franciscan Action Network
Franciscan friar named cardinal says he is taking a leap into the deep by Courtney Mares Catholic News Agency
Guided by Franciscan charism, shelter serves growing number of homeless by Michael Brown Catholic News Service/America
Franciscan and Poor Clare vocation more relevant than ever, says new guardian at the Abbey by Declan Varley Galway Advertiser Link to Religious Vocations
Franciscan-led team spearheads fight against mines in Honduran province by Catholic News Service/America
Why Are We Still Doing This? by Morten Høi Jensen Commonweal
Franciscans nurture Indonesian youth awareness of nature by Ryan Dagur UCANews. Link to Youth Challenges and Leadership
Galway Franciscans and Poor Clares celebrate launch of www.holyname.ie by Galway Advertiser Link to Ireland Issues and Challenges
Pope Francis asks Secular Franciscans to take St. Francis’ path of conversion by Catholic News Agency
Pope Francis names Franciscan sister to No. 2 position in Vatican City State by Hannah Brockhaus Catholic News Agency
Franciscan, volunteers help homeless in Bogota survive pandemic by Manuel Rued Crux Link to Homeless
Franciscan friar questions UK’s Northern Ireland ‘Legacy and Reconciliation’ law in UN by Nirmala Carvalho Crux Link to Northern Island Issues and Challenges
Legal scrutiny delays Northern Ireland limits on pro-life outreach at abortion clinics by Kevin J. Jones Catholic News Agency Link to Abortion
Franciscan friar questions UK’s Northern Ireland ‘Legacy and Reconciliation’ law in UN by Nirmala Carvalho Crux
Book Reviews, Commentaries, and Announcements
Winter Past: The Spirit of Hope by Father John O'Brien, OFM Reviewed by Linda O’Halloran
Winter Past: The Spirit of Hope by Father John O'Brien, OFM Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
The Crucible of Doubt: Dostoevsky’s Faith by John O‘Brien, OFM Reviewed by Eileen Quinn-Knight Profiles in Catholicism
At Eternity’s Gate: Artists of the Infinite by John O’Brien, OFM Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
St Francis of Assisi by G.K. Chesterton Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Light of Assisi: The Story of Saint Clare by Margaret Carney, OSB Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D.. Profiles in Catholicism
Nourishing Love: A Franciscan Celebration of Mary by Murray Bodo, OFM Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
With Thee Tender is the Night by Father John O'Brien, OFM Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
The Crucible of Doubt: Dostoevsky’s Faith by John O‘Brien, OFM Reviewed by Eileen Quinn-Knight Profiles in Catholicism
The Darkness Shall Be the Light by Father John O'Brien Reviewed by Adrian Cusack Westmeath Independent
The Darkness Shall Be the Light by Father John O'Brien Reviewed by Adrian Cusack Westmeath Independent
Seeing Differently by Nicholas Alan Worssam and Simon Cocksedge Reviewed by Daniel P Horan National Catholic Reporter
The Simplest Prayer: A Book of Love and Faith by Irish Franciscans Commentary by Franciscans’ie
The Simplest Prayer: A Book of Love and Faith by Irish Franciscans
Film Reviews and Commentaries
Theater Reviews and Commentaries
Steven Skybell’s Jewish story shines at the heart of Broadway’s ‘Cabaret’ revival by Julia Gergely Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Videos
A day in the life of a Franciscan Friar
Saint Francis Of Assisi, A Biography, Johannes Jorgensen, Part 1 Of 2, Full Catholic Audiobook
Saint Francis Of Assisi, A Biography, Johannes Jorgensen, Part 2 Of 2, Full Catholic Audio book
Seven Franciscan Saints You Should Know!
Prayer of Saint Francis Song- Capuchin Franciscan Transitus