St. Francis of Assisi Parish - Escalante

13/08/2026

“It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.”
— St. Francis of Assisi

Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness; it is an act of love. When we forgive, we allow God’s mercy to work through our wounded hearts.

May we learn to let go of resentment, choose mercy over anger, and forgive others as we hope to be forgiven.

For in giving forgiveness, we receive peace; and in pardoning others, we open our hearts to God’s pardon.

11/08/2026

“We become what we love, and who we love shapes what we become.” — St. Clare of Assisi

What we choose to love gradually shapes our hearts, our values, and the person we become. St. Clare reminds us that when we place Christ at the center of our love, we allow His presence to transform our lives and lead us closer to holiness.

May we always choose to love what leads us closer to God. 🤍🙏

11/08/2026

11/08/2026

PRAYER TO ST. CLARE OF ASSISI

O glorious Saint Clare, God has given you the power of working miracles continually, and the favor of answering the prayers of those who invoke your assistance in misfortune, anxiety, and distress.

We beseech you, obtain for us from Jesus through Mary, His Blessed Mother, what we beg of you so fervently and hopefully, (here mention your need privately) if it be for the greater honor and glory of God and the good of our souls. Amen.

11/08/2026

𝙎𝙏. 𝘾𝙇𝘼𝙍𝙀 & 𝙎𝙏. 𝙁𝙍𝘼𝙉𝘾𝙄𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙎𝙄: 𝙏𝙊𝙂𝙀𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙍,
𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙔 𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙂𝙀𝘿 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙒𝙊𝙍𝙇𝘿

St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi shared one of the most beautiful spiritual friendships in the history of the Church.

Their relationship was not centered on possession, romance, or worldly attachment. It was a friendship rooted in Christ—a friendship that helped each of them hear God more clearly, embrace the Gospel more deeply, and persevere in the vocation God had given them.

Francis inspired Clare to give herself completely to Christ. Clare, in turn, became a source of encouragement and strength to Francis and the Franciscan movement. Even after Francis died, Clare faithfully continued the Gospel vision they had embraced together.

Their lives remind us that God sometimes sends people into our lives not to possess us, but to lead us closer to Him.

A true spiritual friendship does not pull you away from God.
It does not make you dependent on another person.
It does not replace your relationship with Christ.

Instead, it whispers:

“Come closer to God.”
“Keep going.”
“Be faithful.”
“Become the saint God is calling you to be.”

St. Clare and St. Francis understood that love becomes most beautiful when it leads us beyond ourselves and toward God.

There is a beautiful devotional reflection often circulated as a “Love Letter to St. Francis from St. Clare.” Although it is not an authenticated historical letter of St. Clare, its imagery beautifully expresses the kind of God-centered friendship their lives inspire:

“Thank you, Francis, for leading me on this path of chasing God, instead of worldly things.”

Perhaps this is one of the greatest gifts a friend can give us—not a promise to stay forever, but the courage to seek God more faithfully.

Francis and Clare did not simply change the world by what they accomplished.

They changed the world by choosing Christ.
By embracing poverty.
By loving the poor.
By serving the Church.
By living the Gospel.
And by helping one another become more faithful to God.

May we also be blessed with friendships that bring us closer to heaven.

And may we become that kind of friend to someone else.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.
St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us.
May our friendships always lead us closer to Christ. 🙏🤎

11/08/2026

𝙒𝙃𝙔 𝘿𝙊 𝙁𝙄𝙇𝙄𝙋𝙄𝙉𝙊𝙎 𝙊𝙁𝙁𝙀𝙍 𝙀𝙂𝙂𝙎 𝙏𝙊 𝙎𝙏. 𝘾𝙇𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝙊𝙁 𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙎𝙄?

Every August 11, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Clare of Assisi, foundress of the Poor Clares. In the Philippines, however, her feast day is also associated with a unique and beloved tradition: offering eggs to St. Clare.

But where did this tradition come from?
St. Clare has long been associated in popular devotion with fair weather and clear skies. Thus, some Filipino devotees offer eggs as a prayerful petition for good weather—especially during rainy days, storms, or important occasions.

Traditionally, some devotees offer twelve eggs, symbolizing the twelve months of the year, as they pray for favorable weather throughout the year.

There is also a beautiful cultural explanation behind the practice. According to Sr. Ma. Amelia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe of the Madre Jeronima Federation of Monasteries of St. Clare, people seek St. Clare’s intercession not only for clear skies, but also for a clear mind and a clear conscience—with the clear egg white becoming part of the symbolism.

And what about blue eggs? 💙🥚

Among some Filipino devotees, blue-colored eggs are offered especially by board examination takers, since blue is associated with hope. The offering becomes a simple prayer:

“St. Clare, please intercede for me. May I have a clear mind, a calm heart, and the grace to pass my examination.” 🙏

The association of St. Clare with fair weather is also reflected in some traditions outside the Philippines. Margaret Rose Realy, in A Catholic Gardener’s Spiritual Almanac (2015), notes the connection of St. Clare with weather traditions and the Spanish word “clara,” associated in Castile with a brief interval of fair weather during a rainy day.

Of course, the eggs themselves are not magical or a guarantee of good weather or success. They are simply a traditional devotional offering—a visible expression of prayer, hope, and trust in God through the intercession of a saint.

So whether you offer one egg, twelve eggs, or none at all, what matters most is the prayer and faith behind the offering.

St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us! 🌤️🥚🙏

10/08/2026

FEAST OF SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI
Virgin and Foundress of the Poor Clares

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — Matthew 5:8

Today, we joyfully celebrate the feast of Saint Clare of Assisi, a faithful disciple of Christ whose life was marked by humility, poverty, prayer, and unwavering love for the Lord. Her radiant faith and steadfast devotion continue to inspire the Church to seek Christ above all things and to live with a heart fixed on the Gospel.

May Saint Clare teach us to embrace simplicity, remain faithful in prayer, and courageously follow Christ even in the midst of trials. Through her intercession, may we grow in holiness and become a light of faith and charity to others.

HOLY MASS
7:00 AM

Let us gather as one faith community in prayer and thanksgiving as we honor this beloved saint and ask for her intercession.

Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us!
Saint Clare, mirror of Christ, guide us closer to Him.

08/08/2026

🌊 Tara na mga kaigsuonan ni Tata Iko sa Ika-19 Domingo sa Ordinaryong Panahon
“Pagmaisugon kamo! Ako kini; ayaw kahadlok.” — Mateo 14:27

Sa tunga sa kusog nga balod ug unos sa kinabuhi, usahay mahadlok kita ug mobati nga daw malunod na. Apan gipahinumdoman kita sa Ginoo: Dili kita mag-inusara. Ania Siya, naglakaw uban kanato ibabaw sa tubig ug andam motuy-od sa Iyang kamot.

Sama kang Elias, paminawa ang hinay nga tingog sa Diyos.
Sama kang Pablo, higugmaa ug ampoa ang atong mga katawhan.
Sama kang Pedro, lakaw uban kang Jesus bisan pa sa unos.

Ayaw itutok ang imong mga mata sa kusog sa balod. Tan-awa si Jesus. Salig Kaniya.

🙏 “Ginoo, luwasa ko!”
❤️ Kay ang Ginoo anaa kanato bisan sa pinakakusog nga unos.

04/08/2026

Today, we give thanks to God for the priceless gift of the priesthood and honor St. John Mary Vianney, the Patron Saint of Priests, whose life of holiness, humility, and tireless service continues to inspire every shepherd of God's flock.

With grateful hearts, we recognize and pray for all our priests who faithfully celebrate the Holy Eucharist, proclaim God's Word, administer the Sacraments, and lovingly guide the faithful toward Christ. May the example of St. John Mary Vianney renew their zeal, strengthen their vocation, and fill their hearts with joy and perseverance in their sacred ministry.

To all our priests, thank you for your generous "yes" to God's call. Your faithful service is a living witness of Christ, the Good Shepherd. May the Lord bless you abundantly, protect you always, and grant you the grace to continue leading His people with love, humility, and compassion.

Happy Priest Day and Happy Feast of St. John Mary Vianney!

"The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus." — St. John Mary Vianney