St. Ann Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order

08/17/2026

In his Sunday Angelus address on Aug. 16, Pope Leo XIV renewed his appeal for peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict, calling for a two-state solution and an end to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

“I renew my appeal for an end to the ongoing violence against the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank, and I urgently call on the international community to work toward advancing the two-state solution, for a just and lasting peace,“ Leo said in his address.

https://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/pope-leo-xiv-violence-against-palestinians-in-west-bank-must-stop

08/17/2026

07/26/2026

Bringing Forth the Old and the New

The scripture readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time circle around the theme of divine wisdom–asking for it, recognizing it, and figuring out how to incorporate new wisdom with old.

Solomon’s presence of mind–even while asleep–in the story from the First Book of Kings is impressive. Prompted by God in a dream to ask for anything, Solomon asks for “an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong,” a request that pleases God. Solomon shows excellent self awareness, admitting that he is inexperienced and unprepared to succeed his father David as king. When I pray, do I show similar humility, asking God not for specific outcomes that I might desire, but for the wisdom to see God’s will in any situation and the strength to do my part in it?

Keeping my prayers focused on God’s will rather than my own is one way to build and reinforce my trust in God over time. As St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Do I believe that all things–even adversity and loss–ultimately contribute to the welfare for all of us beloved of God? Certainly I am far enough along in my life to be able to look back at incidents that were painful at the time and to see now that they ultimately led to growth.

My beloved mother made her transitus to the next life recently at age 90, and I have been reflecting on her wisdom, rooted in a strong faith, shared with me over many years. There is also wisdom that I learned from other mothers–the Catholic Church, educational institutions, the American culture within which I was raised–that I treasure and draw on often, consciously and unconsciously.

At the same time, there are newer sources of wisdom for me: the Franciscan tradition I joined a decade ago, the way of nonviolence I have studied over the past 7 years, the Franciscan-hearted pursuit of justice and peace I am learning through working with Franciscan Action Network.

Can I be like the scribe Jesus mentions in the Gospel According to Matthew (Ch 13), who “has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven” and therefore becomes able to “bring from his storeroom both the new and the old”? What are your old and new sources of divine wisdom, and who are the people and communities who are inspiring and schooling you now?

Michele Dunne, OFS

Daily Bible Readings, Podcast Audio and Videos and Prayers brought to you by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

05/30/2026

JUNE IS THE MONTH OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS

June, the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is fast approaching. Let us seek refuge in His boundless love and mercy, knowing that His Heart is always open to all who come to Him.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

05/15/2026

MAY 15 + Today is the Feast Day of Spiritual Warrior Saint Dymphna — the Patron Saint of mental disorders, neurological disorders, runaways, victims of in**st, depression and anxiety + Pray for us

Dymphna was born in Ireland in the 7th century. Her father Damon, a petty king of Oriel, was a pagan, but her mother was a devout Christian.

When Dymphna was 14 years old, she consecrated herself to Christ and took a vow of chastity. Shortly thereafter, her mother died. Damon had loved his wife deeply, and in the aftermath of her death his mental health sharply deteriorated. Eventually the king's counsellors pressed him to remarry. Damon agreed, but only on the condition that his bride would be as beautiful as his deceased wife. After searching fruitlessly, Damon began to desire his daughter because of her strong resemblance to her mother.

When Dymphna learned of her father's intentions she swore to uphold her vows, and fled his court along with her confessor Father Gerebernus and two trusted servants. Together they sailed eventually landing in what is present-day Belgium, where they took refuge in the town of Geel.

Once settled in Geel, Dymphna built a hospice for the poor and sick of the region. However, it was through the use of her wealth that her father would eventually ascertain her whereabouts, as some of the coins used enabled her father to trace them to Belgium.

Damon sent his agents to pursue his daughter and her companions. When their hiding place was discovered, Damon travelled to Geel to recover his daughter. Damon ordered his soldiers to kill Father Gerebernus and tried to force Dymphna to return with him to Ireland, but she resisted. Furious, Damon drew his sword and struck off his daughter's head. She was 15 years old when she died.

After Dymphna and Father Gerebernus were martyred, the residents of Geel buried them in a nearby cave. Years later, their remains were moved to a more suitable location. Some of her remains are at the National Shrine of Saint Dymphna in the United States.

God, as always, uses circumstances surrounding the death of his saints to bring about good. After Dymphna’s tragic murder, those suffering from mental or emotional illness would come to the site of her death and receive miraculous healing. Later an infirmary was built over the site where she died and many miracles were reported there as well.

05/12/2026

Saint Leopold Mandic
1866-1942
Feast Day: May 12
Saint Leopold Mandic was born with many physical and health problems, into a large family, in Croatia. In 1884, he joined the Capuchin Franciscans and was appointed to a parish in Padua from 1906 until his death. He was so committed to mercy and compassion, that he spent 13-16 hours a day in the confessional. People from all walks of life sought him out for this sacrament of reconciliation, including Albino Luciani who would become John Paul I. He also prayed and worked for the unity of the Roman and Orthodox Christians. He died of esophageal cancer after he collapsed as he was preparing for Mass.
Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase. Link in our bio.
https://www.portraitsofsaints.com/collections/all/all-images-st-leopold-mandic

05/03/2026

St. Phillip & St. James the Less, pray for us! Two of the original Apostles were followers of Jesus. Both died a martyr's death.
Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase. Link in our bio.https://bit.ly/3eHTr0w https://bit.ly/3cAoedU

04/28/2026

Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
1922-1962
Feast Day: April 28
Patronage: mothers, physicians, preborn children
St. Gianna was an Italian pediatrician, wife and mother who is best known for refusing both an abortion and a hysterectomy when she was pregnant with her fourth child, despite knowing that continuing with the pregnancy could result in her death. Gianna died a week after giving birth to her child, who was present at her mother’s canonization in 2004.
Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase. Link in our bio.
https://www.portraitsofsaints.com/collections/all/all-images-st-gianna-molla

04/23/2026

Saint George
Died: 303
Feast Day: April 23
Patronage: England, crusaders, soldiers
Saint George was a Roman soldier of Greek Christian origin. He was a Praetorian guard for Diocletian who valued his service. When the Emperor ordered the soldiers to sacrifice to the gods, St. George refused, even after Diocletian offered him land, money, and slaves. George was then tortured and decapitated. He is one of the 14 Holy Helpers and a prominent military patron often depicted fighting a dragon used to represent the devil. Today he’s known and revered by both Christians and Muslims.
Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase. Link in our bio.
https://www.portraitsofsaints.com/collections/all/all-images-st-george