MEMORIA OF SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI, VIRGIN – 11 AUGUST

Clare was born in the year 1193. She followed her fellow countryman Saint Francis of Assisi in his life of poverty and was the founder and ruler of the Second Order of St. Francis (an order of contemplative nuns called the Poor Clares). She led a vey austere life, abounding in works of piety and charity. She died in the year 1253.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in Your mercy You led Saint Clare to the love of poverty. Help us, by her intercession, to follow Christ in poverty of spirit, so that, in the Kingdom of Heaven, we may see You in Your glory. We pray this in the most precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jakarta, 11 August 2021

A Christian Pilgrim

 

“It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching,”

Jakarta, 3 October 2019

A Christian Pilgrim

 

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI – MEMORIA: 4 October

Francis is the one saint whose attraction does not diminish over time but seems to grow with each generation. He is the single saint all generations have agreed in canonizing on their own. Christians and non-Christians have a special place for Francis. He has indeed become all things to all people. He combined a mystical love of God with a mystical love of people. The birdbath image of Francis erases other aspect of his personality. We all know the story of his estrangement from his father. The 1200’s were a bleak time. War was an everyday fact, as were diseases, suffering and immense poverty. Islam was the encroaching movement of that day. Corruption pervade Church circles.

The Franciscan movement was popular among ordinary people. The love of “poverty” enabled them to mix with people, unlike the monastery-bound monks. Through Francis, God saved the medieval Church from disaster. Francis has thousand of followers. In his own lifetime, over 1500 Franciscan friaries (houses) sprang up. He tried to evangelize the Sultan and was fierce in his own asceticism. After a conflict in his order, Francis went to Mount Alverna where he received the stigmata.

Franciscan spirituality is a spirituality that is at home in creation, that has respect for the created world and that through its ideal of poverty disconnects the linkage between personal possessions and personal happiness. Francis was unique. After a painful illness, he died. Legend has it that at that moment there was absolute silence. Only the larks sang. 

Prayer: Lord God, You made Saint Francis of Assisi Christ-like in his poverty and humility. Help us so to walk in his ways that, with joy and love, we may follow Christ, and be united to you. We pray this in the most precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jakarta, 4 October 2018 [The Day of Saint Francis]

A Christian Pilgrim

 

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, JESUIT PRIEST – MEMORIA: 3 DECEMBER

Saint Francis was born in Spain in the year 1506. When studying at Paris he joint St. Ignatius of Loyola and was ordained priest at Rome in 1537. He spent himself in works of charity and in 1541 he went to the East where for ten years he preached the Gospel in India and Japan and brought many to the true faith. He died in the year 1552 on th Chinese island of Shangchwan.

Prayer: Lord God, You won many peoples to Yourself by preaching of Sant Francs Xavier. Give us the same zeal that he had for the faith, and let Your Church rejoice to see the virtue and the number of her children increase throughout the world.  We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jakarta, 3 December 2016

A Christian Pilgrim 

 

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI – MEMORIA: 4 OCTOBER

Francis was born at Assisi in the year 1182. From being a light-hearted youth he changed, gave up his inheritance and bound himself to God, embracing poverty and living the life of the gospels. He preached to all the love of God. He gave to his followers wise rules which were approved by the Holy See. He laid the foundation of an order of nuns, of groups of penitents living in the world, and of preaching the gospel to infidels. He died in the year 1226.

Prayer: Lord God, You made Saint Francis of Assisi Christ-like in his poverty and humility. Help us so to walk in his ways that, with joy and love, we may follow Christ Your Son, and be united to You. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jakarta, 4 October 2016 

A Christian Pilgrim 

 

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” (St. Francis of Assisi)

Jakarta, 17 June 2016

A Christian Pilgrim

 

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Jakarta, 12 February 2016

A Christian Pilgrim

 

I pray, I adore, I love … (St. Francis of Assisi)

Jakarta, 29 January 2016

A Christian Pilgrim

 

All those who refuse to do penance and receive …… (St. Francis of Assisi)

Jakarta, 18 October 2015

A Christian Pilgrim

 

LAUDATO SI (ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI)

Jakarta, 3 October 2015

A Christian Pilgrim