The Order of Saints Francis and Clare

08/11/2024

St. Clare of Assissi, pray for us.

"We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become. If we love things, we become a thing. If we love nothing, we become nothing. Imitation is not a literal mimicking of Christ, rather it means becoming the image of the beloved, an image disclosed through transformation. This means we are to become vessels of God's compassionate love for others."

Remembering St. Clare of Assisi on her feast day.

12/08/2023

Today let us celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with joy and thanksgiving. This feast reminds us of God's incredible love for humanity and the extraordinary role that Mary played in the history of salvation. May we continue to cherish her memory, seek her intercession, and strive to live lives worthy of God's grace.

11/16/2023

On this feast day of St. Agnes of Assisi, we commemorate the life of a remarkable woman who embodied the virtues of humility, obedience, and unwavering devotion to God. Born Caterina Offreducia to a noble family in Assisi, she was renamed Agnes by St. Francis himself, recognizing her gentle and lamb-like nature.

Agnes was the younger sister of St. Clare, and together they formed the core of the Poor Ladies, a monastic community founded by St. Francis. Agnes followed her sister's footsteps with unwavering dedication, embracing a life of simplicity, prayer, and service.

Despite her noble upbringing, Agnes willingly embraced a life of poverty and austerity. She dedicated herself to the care of the sick and the poor, embodying the Franciscan spirit of compassion and service.

Agnes's life was marked by unwavering obedience and humility. She readily accepted the guidance of both St. Francis and St. Clare, seeking to follow their example in all things. Her humility was evident in her willingness to serve others, regardless of their status or condition.

Agnes's devotion to God was the foundation of her life. She spent countless hours in prayer and meditation, seeking to deepen her relationship with her Creator. Her faith was her guiding light, illuminating her path and strengthening her resolve.

Throughout her life, Agnes faced many challenges and trials, yet she remained steadfast in her faith and commitment to God. She was a beacon of light in a world often shrouded in darkness, offering hope and inspiration to those around her.

On this feast day, let us draw inspiration from the life of St. Agnes of Assisi. Let us strive to emulate her humility, obedience, and unwavering devotion to God. Let us seek to live lives of simplicity, service, and compassion, following her example in making the world a better place.

May St. Agnes of Assisi intercede for us, guiding us along the path of righteousness and helping us to grow in our love for God and our fellow human beings.

11/13/2023

Saint Didacus of Alcalá, also known as Diego de Sanlúcar, was a Franciscan friar who lived in Spain during the 15th and 16th centuries. He is known for his humility, obedience, and charity. He was canonized by Pope Clement VIII in 1588.

Didacus was born in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain, in 1400. He joined the Franciscan Order in 1448 and was sent to the convent of Alcalá de Henares. There, he became known for his piety and his devotion to the poor and sick. He is said to have performed many miracles, including healing the sick and raising the dead.

Didacus died in Alcalá de Henares in 1463. He was buried in the convent church, where his tomb became a popular pilgrimage site.

It should be noted that he is the name sake of the U.S. city of San Diego.

Saint Didacus of Alcalá is a model of Christian virtue. He was humble and obedient, and he always put the needs of others before his own. He was also a great lover of the poor and sick.

Didacus's life teaches us that we should always be willing to serve others, no matter who they are or what they have done. We should also be humble and obedient to God's will.

Let us pray.

O Saint Didacus of Alcalá, pray for us that we may follow your example of humility, obedience, and charity. May we always be willing to serve others, and may we always put the needs of others before our own. Amen.

11/02/2023

All Souls' Day is a day to remember and pray for all the faithful souls who have died, but who are not yet in heaven. It is a day to reflect on the inevitability of death, and on the hope of eternal life.

On All Souls' Day, we can take some time to think about all of the loved ones we have lost. We can remember their good qualities, the happy times we shared, and the lessons we learned from them. We can also pray for them, asking God to forgive their sins and to grant them eternal peace.

All Souls' Day is also a reminder that we are all part of the communion of saints. This means that we are all connected to each other, both the living and the dead. We are all members of the same family, and we all share the same hope of eternal life.

On All Souls' Day, we can renew our commitment to living our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. We can strive to be kind and compassionate to others, and to forgive those who have wronged us. We can also pray for the conversion of sinners, and for the souls in purgatory.

All Souls' Day is a day of hope and consolation. It is a time to remember our loved ones who have died, and to pray for them. It is also a time to reflect on our own lives, and to strive to live in a way that will lead us to eternal life.

Here at OSFC we especially remember Friar Tom and Friar Curtis.

O Lord, on this day of All Souls, we pray for all the faithful departed who are still being purified in purgatory. We also remember all who are in Your Embrace. Grant them the grace they need to enter your heavenly kingdom, where they may rejoice in your eternal presence.

Amen.

11/01/2023

On this All Saints' Day, we celebrate the men and women who have lived holy lives and now enjoy eternal life with God in heaven. They come from all walks of life and from every corner of the world, but they all share one thing in common: they loved God and loved their neighbors.

The saints are our role models and our intercessors. They show us how to live good and holy lives, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. They also pray for us and intercede for us before God.

Today, we are called to reflect on our own lives and ask ourselves: how can I be more like the saints? How can I live a life that is pleasing to God? How can I love my neighbors more fully?

On this All Saints' Day, let us pray for the grace to imitate the saints and to live holy lives. Let us also pray for their intercession on our behalf.

All saints of God, pray for us!

10/04/2023

Today the Order of Saints Francis and Clare honors our seraphic father, Saint Francis of Assisi.

Saint Francis, one of the most beloved and revered saints in the Church, is celebrated on this feast day. Francis was a radical reformer who dedicated his life to following Jesus Christ in simplicity, poverty, and love for all of creation.

Born into a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy, Francis was initially a carefree youth who enjoyed the pleasures of life. However, after a profound religious experience, he renounced his wealth and possessions and dedicated himself to living a life of poverty and service to the poor and marginalized.

Francis founded the Franciscan order, which quickly spread throughout Europe and beyond. His followers, known as Franciscans, lived in simple communities and dedicated themselves to preaching the Gospel, caring for the sick and needy, and working for peace and justice.

Francis was also a passionate advocate for the environment. He saw all of creation as a gift from God and urged his followers to care for the earth and all its creatures. In 1979, Pope John Paul II designated Francis as the patron saint of ecology.

On his feast day, we celebrate Francis' radical witness to the Gospel and his love for all of creation. We are inspired by his example to live simple, compassionate, and environmentally responsible lives.

Here are some reflections on Saint Francis of Assisi's life and legacy:

- Francis' radical commitment to poverty and simplicity challenges us to question our own priorities and possessions. He taught us that true happiness comes from living in communion with God and with others, not from material wealth.

- Francis' love for the poor and marginalized reminds us that all people are created in God's image and likeness. He showed us that we are called to serve those in need, regardless of their social status or circumstances.

- Francis' deep reverence for nature teaches us to see the world through God's eyes. He showed us that all creatures are precious and deserve our care and respect.

On this feast day, let us pray for the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi. May he inspire us to live lives of simplicity, compassion, and environmental stewardship.

09/23/2023

St. Pio of Pietrelcina, lovingly known as Padre Pio was a Capuchin friar and priest who was known for his deep spirituality, his gift of healing, and his stigmata, the wounds of Christ that he bore on his body. He was a man of great humility and compassion, and he was deeply devoted to the Eucharist and to the Virgin Mary.

On his feast day, we celebrate the life of this remarkable saint and reflect on the lessons that he can teach us. One of the most important lessons from Padre Pio is the importance of prayer. He believed that prayer is the key to everything, and he encouraged his followers to pray constantly. He also taught that we should pray with faith and trust, even when we do not understand why God allows certain things to happen in our lives.

Another important lesson from Padre Pio is the importance of suffering. He himself suffered greatly throughout his life, both physically and spiritually. But he never complained, and he always offered his suffering up to God for the salvation of souls. He taught us that suffering can be a powerful means of purification and growth, and that it is through suffering that we can become more like Christ.

Finally, Padre Pio taught us the importance of love. He had a deep love for God and for his fellow human beings. He was always willing to help others, even when it was difficult. He taught us that we should love everyone, even our enemies, and that we should show our love through our actions.

On this feast day, let us pray to Padre Pio to intercede for us. Let us ask him to help us to grow in our faith, to persevere through suffering, and to love God and others more deeply.

Let us pray with Padre Pio:

"Oh, my Jesus, I give You my heart, my soul, my whole being. I love You more than words can say. Help me to love You more and more each day. Amen."

09/20/2023

St. Francis Mary of Camporosso was a Capuchin friar who lived from 1804 to 1866. He is known for his deep devotion to the Eucharist and his charitable work with the poor and sick.

On his feast day, we can reflect on his example of how to live a life of faith and service. St. Francis Mary of Camporosso was a man who was deeply in love with God and who sought to serve Him in all things. He was also a man who was deeply compassionate for the poor and suffering.

One way to reflect on St. Francis Mary of Camporosso's feast day is to spend some time in prayer and meditation, asking God to help us grow in our love for Him and for our neighbors. We can also ask St. Francis Mary of Camporosso to intercede for us, asking him to help us live a more Christ-like life.

Another way to reflect on St. Francis Mary of Camporosso's feast day is to perform an act of charity in his honor. We could visit a sick person or family in need, volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter, or donate to a charity that helps the poor and suffering.

Here is a brief reflection on one of St. Francis Mary of Camporosso's most famous sayings:

"The poor are the masters of the house, and we are their servants."

This saying reminds us that we are called to serve the poor and suffering, not to pity them. We are also reminded that the poor have a special place in God's heart.

On the feast day of St. Francis Mary of Camporosso, let us commit ourselves to living a life of faith and service, and to deepening our love for God and for our neighbors.

09/18/2023

St. Joseph of Cupertino was a simple and humble Franciscan friar who was known for his extraordinary gift of levitation. He was also a gifted preacher and teacher, and he had a deep love for the Eucharist.

St. Joseph's life teaches us that holiness is possible for everyone, regardless of our talents or abilities. He was not a brilliant scholar or a skilled administrator, but he was loved by God because of his pure heart and his deep faith.

St. Joseph also teaches us the importance of humility. Even though he had the gift of levitation, he never sought attention or glory for himself. He always remained humble and obedient to his superiors.

On his feast day, let us celebrate the life of St. Joseph of Cupertino and ask him to pray for us. May we learn from his example and strive to live holy lives in the service of God and others.

09/15/2023

On this date almost 800 years ago, our seraphic father, St. Francis recieved the stigmata in LaVerna, outside of Assisi, following a vision of an angel (some say a vision of God). Francis expressed his humble desire to bodily experience what Jesus did during His passion and it seemed his wish was granted.

Jesus Christ, in your immeasurable pity, keep alive within me the memory of your bitter death, of your holy wounds, so that in sickness and in health, I may remember you mercy. ... Francis, bearer of the marks of Christ, pray for me so that my life may be conformed to the life of Christ.

08/20/2023

Join us as we celebrate the feast day of another Franciscan saint.

St. Louis of Anjou was a young prince who renounced his inheritance to become a Franciscan friar and bishop. He was known for his humility, poverty, and love for the poor. He died at the age of 23, but his short life was a powerful example of Christian charity and service.

In our own time, we are faced with many challenges, including poverty, violence, and environmental degradation. St. Louis of Anjou can inspire us to work for a more just and compassionate world. We can follow his example by giving to those in need, working for peace, and protecting our environment.

Here are some specific ways that we can follow the example of St. Louis of Anjou in our own lives:

We can donate to charities that help the poor and homeless.

We can volunteer our time to help those in need.

We can work to promote peace and understanding between different cultures and religions.

We can reduce our impact on the environment by recycling, conserving energy, and using less plastic.

By following the example of St. Louis of Anjou, we can make a difference in the world and build a more just and compassionate future.
By following the example of St. Louis of Anjou, we can make a difference in the world and build a more just and compassionate future.

In the example of St. Louis of Anjou, we can make a difference in the world and build a more just and compassionate future.