St. Francis on the Eucharist

‘Everyday, Jesus humbles Himself just as He did when He came from His Heavenly Throne in the Virgins womb; everyday He comes to us and lets us see Him in Abjection, when He decends from the bosom of the Father into the hands of the Priest at the altar!’
St. Francis Of Assisi

The Sheperd and a sheperd

"A Nativity Scene was erected in a church yard.  During the night, someone came across this.  An abandoned dog was looking for a comfortable, protected place to sleep. He chose baby Jesus as his comfort.  No one had the heart to send him away so he was there all night.

We should all have the good sense of this dog and curl up in Jesus' lap from time to time.  This is too sweet not to share.  No one mentioned that the dog breed is a 'shepherd!'"

- from the Facebook page of "Mary's Miraculous Medal Family"

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you

If He can calm the waters, he can take care of your troubles today. Hand them over to God and His Mother to take care of and Believe.

"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you." ♥

St. Francis' Love of the Christ Child

(Photo of the Creche located next to the Portiuncula Chapel on the campus of the Franciscan University of Steubenville)

"Francis observed the birthday of the Child Jesus with inexpressible eagerness over all other feasts, saying that it was the feast of feasts, on which God, having become a tiny infant, clung to human breasts. Pictures of those infant members he kissed with thoughts filled with yearning, and his compassion for the Child flooded his heart and made in stammer words of sweetness after the manner of infants."

"Saint Francis of Assisi"
by Thomas of Celano, Second Life

The Poverello ("little poor man") - St. Francis

"It would be considered a theft on our part if we didn't give to someone in greater need than we are!"

"I should be accounted a thief by the great Almsgiver were I to withhold that which I wear from him who has greater need of it than I!"

- St. Francis of Assisi

The Poverello (little poor man) always looked dishevelled. This was because, though he had no money (refused to have it for the love of God!) he did have the clothes on his back. Nearly every day some poor person - so poor they didn't have clothes! - would come and beg from him and so he would give him his clothes or, at least, tear off part of his clothes so that the poor person might have something. He was so generous, never turned anyone away, that everyone knew they could get at least something from him! This kept St. Francis always in rags but also drew him closer to poor Jesus - He who became poor for love of us, giving us His all. Thanks be to God!

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St. Pio - A true story

True Story:

A lady came to San Giovanni Rotondo from England to have her confession heard by Padre Pio. She went to his confessional but Padre Pio closed the window saying : "I am not available to you." The woman stayed for several weeks and during this time, daily returned to his confessional and daily was turned away. Finally, Padre Pio consented to hear her confession. She asked the Padre why he made her wait so long to be heard. Padre Pio answered : "And You?" "How long have you made Our Lord wait!? You should wonder how Jesus could welcome you after you committed so many sacrileges. You have delayed your judgment for years, besides sinning against your husband and your mother you have received Holy Communion in mortal sin!' The woman was stunned and reformed. She cried when she received absolution.  She returned to England a few days later, very happy.

Thoughts for Your Meditation on the Life of Christ

There is one thing I desire from you above everything else: that your normal meditation be, if possible, around the Life, Passion and Death, and also the Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. You can then meditate on His birth, His flight into Egypt and His life there, His return and His hidden life in the workshop of Nazareth up to the age of thirty, His humility in His desire to be baptized by His precursor St. John. You can meditate on His public life, His most painful Passion and Death, the institution of the most Holy Sacrament, the very evening men were preparing the most atrocious sufferings. You can meditate again on Jesus praying in the Garden of Olives, sweating blood knowing what sufferings men were preparing for Him and the ingratitude of men who would not make use of His merits. You can meditate also on Jesus being dragged and led to the tribunal, flagellated and crowned with thorns, the course He climbed to Calvary laden with the cross, His crucifixion and finally His death on the cross with all the suffering of seeing His most sorrowful mother.

Anima Christi Prayer

The Anima Christi is a prayer from around the 14th century. It is still widely used after receiving the body and blood of Our Lord,
Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.

"Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever
Amen."

Come, Little Lord Jesus!

My Jesus! thou hast given thyself to me: in return, I give myself to thee.

Jesus mercy, Mary help!