"Our Vocation is a Great Gift" - Poor Clares, Galway, Ireland

"Hidden in the Heart of God" - Poor Clare nuns, Betis, Pampanga, Philippines

Ascension Thursday and Sacred Promises

Poor Clare Colettines of Barhamsville, NC:

Ascension Thursday and Sacred Promises

On Thursday, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, we had the special joy of witnessing our Sister Maria Christi take her next step in formation.  Sister is a finally professed Sister from an apostolic congregation who has discerned a contemplative vocation with us for the past few years.  Here she makes her Sacred Promises to observe her vows according to our Poor Clare Rule and also makes a Vow of Enclosure.

Entrance Procession

Mother Abbess exhorts her to the faithful observance of our Rule

Sister pronounces her Sacred Promises and her Vow of Enclosure

Signs of a Professed Sister
Black Veil and Knotted Franciscan Cord
Festive Flower Wreathe 

All dressed up!

Pax!

Offertory Procession

http://www.pcheartponderings.blogspot.com/2015/05/on-thursday-solemnity-of-ascension-of.html#links

Nov. 30th, is the Feast of the Apostle St. Andrew and to Start His Christmas Novena

The above Christmas Novena is to be prayed starting November 30th straight through to Christmas Day and prayed 15 times a day.  You can divide it up: 5 in the morning, 5 at noon and 5 at night or all at once.  It is piously believed thta whoever recites St. Andrew's Christmas Novena 15 times a day from St. Andrew's feast day of Nov. 30th until Christmas Day will obtain what is asked.  Imprimatur: Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York 2/6/1897.

The novena is not actually addressed to Saint Andrew but to God Himself, asking Him to grant our request in the honor of the birth of His Son at Christmas. It is attributed to Saint Andrew given the prayers traditionally begin on his feast day. It is also often called the Christmas Anticipation Novena.

The feast day of St. Andrew also marks the end of the liturgical year and the beginning of the new one on the first Sunday of Advent.  Prayer is an essential part of Advent. Reciting this special novena prayer each day is a simple yet beautiful way to celebrate the spiritual significance of the Advent season and to experience a deeper conversion to Jesus.  The St. Andrew Christmas novena is commonly found in many Advent prayer books which are also loaded with many other beautiful prayers and traditions for this time of year.

 

St. Andrew, the Apostle:

"The Apostle Andrew was born at Bethsaida, a town of Galilee, and was the brother of Peter.  He was a disciple of John the Baptist, and heard him say of Christ, Behold the Lamb of God, whereupon he immediately followed Jesus, bringing his brother also with him.   Some while after, they were both fishing in the Sea of Galilee, and the Lord Christ, going by, called them both, before any other of the Apostles, in the words, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.  They made no delay, but left their nets, and followed him.  After the death and Resurrection of Christ, Andrew was allotted Scythia as the province of his preaching, and, after labouring there, he went through Epirus and Thrace, where he turned vast multitudes to Christ by his teaching and miracles.  Finally he went to Patras in Achaia, and there also he brought many to the knowledge of Gospel truth.  Aegeas the Proconsul resisted the preaching of the Gospel, and the Apostle freely rebuked him, bidding him know that while he held himself a judge of his fellow men, he was himself hindered by devils from knowing Christ our God, the Judge of all.

Then Aegeas, being angry, answered him, Boast no more of this thy Christ.  He spake words even such as thine, but they availed him not, and he was crucified by the Jews.  Whereto Andrew boldly answered that Christ had given himself up to die for man's salvation ; but the Proconsul blasphemously interrupted him, and bade him look to himself, and sacrifice to the gods.  Then said Andrew, We have an altar, whereon day by day I offer up to God, the Almighty, the One, and the True, not the flesh of bulls nor the blood of goats, but a Lamb without spot: and when all they that believe have eaten of the Flesh thereof, the Lamb that was slain abideth whole and liveth.  Then Aegeas being filled with wrath, bound the Apostle in prison.  Now, the people would have delivered him, but he himself calmed the multitude, and earnestly besought them not to take away from him the crown of martyrdom, for which he longed and which was now drawing near.

Some short while after, he was brought before the judgment seat, where he extolled the mystery of the cross, and rebuked Aegeas for his ungodliness.  Then Aegeas could bear with him no longer, but commanded him to be crucified, in imitation of Christ.  Andrew, then, was led to the place of martyrdom, and, as soon as he came in sight of the cross, he cried out: O precious cross, made so fair and goodly by the sweet body of my Lord, how long have I desired thee! how warmly have I loved thee! how constantly have I sought thee!  And, now that thou art come to me, how is my soul drawn to thee!  Welcome me from amongst men, and join me anew to my Master, that as by thee he redeemed me, so by thee also he may take me unto himself.  So he was fastened to the cross, whereon he hung living for two days, during which time he ceased not to preach the faith of Christ, and, finally, passed into the Presence of him the likeness of whose death he had loved so well.  All the above particulars of his last sufferings were written by the Priests and Deacons of Achaia, who bear witness to them of their own knowledge.  Under the Emperor Constantine the bones of the Apostle were first taken to Constantinople, whence they were afterwards brought to Amalfi.  In the Pontificate of Pope Pius II, his head was carried to Rome, where it is kept in the Basilica of St. Peter."

-- From the 1911 Breviary of St Pius X (1955 ed)

Today is the Feast of All Franciscan Saints of the Seraphic Order (Franciscans)

(Above, Our Lady depicted with some Franciscan Saints)

“Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
today we rejoice in the holy men and women
of every time and place.
May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.”

A FRANCISCAN LITANY OF ALL SAINTS

Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy!
Christ have mercy! Christ have mercy!
Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy!
God, the Father, have mercy on us!
God, the Son, have mercy on us!
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us!
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us!
Holy Mary, the Immaculate Conception, Queen of the Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Holy Father Francis, (1220 – Oct 4) pray for us!
* * *
All you holy martyrs of the Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Saints Berard, Accursius, Adjustus, Otto, and Peter, Protomartyrs (1220 – Jan 16) pray for us!

Saints Daniel, Angelo, Domnus, Hugolinus, Leo, Nicholas, and Samuel, Martyrs of Africa, (1227 – Oct 10) pray for us!

Saints Nicholas Tavelic, Deodat of Aquitaine, Peter of Narbonne, and Stephen of Cuneo, Martyrs of the Holy Land, (1391 – Nov 14) pray for us!

Saint Thomas More, Martyr of England, (1535 – Jun 22) pray for us!

Saints Nicholas Pick, Anthony Hornaer, Anthony of Weert, Cornelius, Francis, Godfrey, Jerome, Nicasius, Peter, Theodoric, Willehad, Martyrs of Holland, (1572 – Jul 9) pray for us!

Saints Peter Baptist Blasquez, Martin de Aquirre, Francis Blanco, Philip of Jesus of Mexico, Gonzalo Garcia of India, Anthony of Nagasaki, Bonaventure, Cosmas, Francis of Fahelante, Francis of Miyako, Gabriel, Joachim, John, Leo, Louis, Matthias, Michael, Paul Ibaraki, Paul Zuzuki, Peter, Thomas Danki, and Thomas Kosaki, Protomartyrs of Japan, (1597 – Feb 6) pray for us!

Saints John Jones and John Wall, Martyrs of England, (1598 and 1679 – Jul 12) pray for us!

Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Protomartyr of the Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith, (1622 – Apr 24) pray for us!

Saints Gregory Grassi, Francesco Fogolla, Elia Facchini, Théodore Balat, Andreas, Antonio Fantosati, Giuseppe Maria Gambaro, Cesidio Giacomantonio, Marie Hermina of Jesus, Maria della Pace, Maria Chiara, Marie de Sainte Nathalie, Marie de Saint Just, Marie Adolfine, John Zhang Huan, Patrick Dong Bodi, John Wang Rui, Philip Zhang Zhihe, John Zhang Jingguang, Thomas Shen Jihe, Simon Chen Ximan, Peter Wu Anbang, Francis Zhang Rong, Matthew Feng De, Peter Zhang Banniu, James Yan Guodong, James Zhao, Peter Wang Erman, Martyrs of China, (1900 – Jul 8) pray for us!

Saint Maxmillian Kolbe, Martyr of Auschwitz, (1941 – Aug 14) pray for us!
All you holy priests of the First Franciscan Order, pray for us!

Saint Anthony of Padua, Doctor of the Gospel and Wonderworker, (1233 – Jun 13) pray for us!

Saint Bonaventure, Seraphic Doctor, (1274 – Jul 15) pray for us!
Saint Benvenute of Osimo, Bishop, (1282 – Mar 22) pray for us!
Saint Louis of Tolouse, Bishop, (1297 – Aug 19) pray for us!
Saint Bernardine of Siena, (1444 – May 20) pray for us!
Saint John Capistran, (1456 – Oct 23) pray for us!
Saint Peter Regalado, (1456 – Mar 30) pray for us!
Saint James of the March, (1476 – Nov 28) pray for us!
Saint John of Dukla, (1484 – Oct 3) pray for us!
Saint Peter of Alcantara, (1562 – Oct 19) pray for us!
Saint Francis Solano, (1610 – Jul 14) pray for us!
Saint Joseph of Leonissa, (1612 – Feb 4) pray for us!
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Doctor of the Church, (1619 – Jul 21) pray for us!
Saint Joseph of Cupertino, (1663 – Sep 18) pray for us!
Saint Pacificus of San Severino, (1721 – Sep 24) pray for us!
Saint Ignatius of Santhia, (1770 – Sep 22) pray for us!
Saint Thomas of Cori, (1792 – Jan 19) pray for us!
Saint John Joseph of the Cross, (1734 – Mar 5) pray for us!
Saint Theophilus of Corte, (1740 – May 19) pray for us!
Saint Francis Fasani, (1742 – Nov 27) pray for us!
Saint Leonard of Port Maurics, (1751 – Nov 26) pray for us!
Saint Antoino de Santa Ana, (1822 – Oct 25) pray for us!
Saint Leopold Mandic, (1942 – May 12) pray for us!
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, (1968 – Sep 23) pray for us!
All you holy lay brothers of the First Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Saint Didacus of Alcala, (1463 – Nov 7) pray for us!
Saint Simon of Lipnica, (1482 – Jul 18) pray for us!
Saint Salvator of Horta, (1567 – Mar 18) pray for us!
Saint Felix of Cantalice, (1585 – May 18) pray for us!
Saint Benedict the Black, (1589 – Apr 3) pray for us!
Saint Paschal Baylon, (1592 – May 17) pray for us!
Saint Seraphin of Montegranaro, (1604 – Oct 12) pray for us!
Saint Umile de Bisignano, (1637 – Nov 27) pray for us!
Saint Bernard of Corleone, (1662 – Jan 12) pray for us!
Saint Charles of Sezze, (1670 – Jan 6) pray for us!
Saint Crispin of Viterbo, (1750 – May 19) pray for us!
Saint Felix of Nicosia, (1787 – Jun 2) pray for us!
Saint Ignatius Laconi, (1781 – May 11) pray for us!
Saint Giles Mary of St. Joseph, (1812 – Feb 8) pray for us!
Saint Francis Camporosso, (1866 – Sep 20) pray for us!
Saint Conrad of Parzham, (1894 – Apri 21) pray for us!
* * *
All you holy virgins of the Second Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Holy Mother Clare of Assisi, (1253 – Aug 11) pray for us!
Saint Agnes of Assisi, (1253 – Nov 19) pray for us!
Saint Agnes of Bohemia, (1282 – Mar 2) pray for us!
Saint Cunegunda, (1292 – Jul 23) pray for us!
Saint Colette of Corbie, (1447 – Feb 7) pray for us!
Saint Catherine of Bologna, (1463 – May 9) pray for us!
Saint Eustochia Calafato, (1485 – Jan 19) pray for us!
Saint Beatrice of Silva, (1490 – Sep 1) pray for us!
Saint Camilla Battista of Varano, (1524 – May 31) pray for us!
Saint Veronica Giuliani, (1727 – Jul 10) pray for us!
Saint Marianne Cope, (1980 – Jan 20) pray for us!
* * *
All you holy priests of the Third Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Saint Yves of Brittany, (1303 – May 19), pray for us!
Saint Charles Borromeo, Archbishop and Cardinal, (1584 – Nov 4) pray for us!
Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo, (1842 – Apr 30) pray for us!
Saint Vincent Palotti, Founder, (1850 – Jan 22) pray for us!
Saint John Mary Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests, (1859 – Aug 4) pray for us!
Saint Joseph Cafasso, (1860 – Jun 23) pray for us!
Saint Michael Garicits, (1863 – May 14) pray for us!
Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Founder, (1868 – Aug 3) pray for us!
Saint John Bosco, Founder (1883 – Jan 31) pray for us!
Saint Zygmunt Felinski, Archbishop and Founder, (1895 – Sep 17) pray for us!
Saint Pius X, Pope, (1914 – Aug 21) pray for us!

All you holy foundresses of religious congregations who were members of the Third Franciscan Order, pray for us!

Saint Bridget of Sweden, (1373 – Jul 23) pray for us!
Saint Jane of Valois, (1505 – Feb 14) pray for us!
Saint Angela Merici, (1540 – Jan 27) pray for us!
Saint Mary Batholomea Capitanio, (1833 – Jul 26) pray for us!
Saint Mary Magdalen Postel, (1846 – Jul 16) pray for us!
Saint Vincentia Gerosa, (1847 – Jun 28) pray for us!
Saint Joachima de Mas y de Vedruna, (1854 – May 22) pray for us!
Saint Mary Josepha Rossello, (1880 – Oct 3) pray for us!
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, (1917 – Nov 13) pray for us!
* * *
All you holy men of the Third Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Saint Ferdinand, King of Castile and Leon (1252 – May 30) pray for us!
Saint Louis, King of France, Patron of the Third Order, (1270 – Aug 25) pray for us!
Saint Elzear of Sabran, (1323 – Sep 26) pray for us!
Saint Roch of Montpellier, (1327 – Aug 16) pray for us!
Saint Conrad of Piacenza, Hermit, (1351 – Feb 19) pray for us!
Saint Pedro of San Jose Betancor, (1667 – Apr 25) pray for us!
Saint Albert Chmielowski, (1916 – Jun 17) pray for us!
* * *
All you holy women of the Third Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Patroness of the Third Order, (1231 – Nov 19) pray for us!
Saint Veridiana, (1242 – Feb 1) pray for us!
Saint Rose of Viterbo, Virgin, (1252 – Sep 4) pray for us!
Saint Zita of Lucca, Virgin, (1278 – Apri 27) pray for us!
Saint Margaret of Cortona, (1297 – May 16) pray for us!
Saint Clare of Montefalco, Virgin and Religious, (1308 – Aug 17) pray for us!
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, (1336 – Jul 4) pray for us!
Saint Joan of Arc, Virgin, (1431 – May 30) pray for us!
Saint Frances of Rome, (1440 – Mar 9) pray for us!
Saint Catherine of Genoa, (1510 – Sep 15) pray for us!
Saint Hyacintha Mariscotti, Virgin and Religious, (1640 – Jan 30) pray for us!
Saint Mariana of Jesus of Quito, Virgin, (1645 – May 28) pray for us!
Saint Crescentia Höss, Virgin and Religious, (1744 – Apr 5) pray for us!
Saint Mary Frances of the Five Wounds, Virgin, (1791 – Oct 6) pray for us!
Saint Alphonsa Muttathupaduthu, Religious, (1946 – Jul 28) pray for us!
* * *
All you holy Cordbearers of St. Francis, pray for us!
Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, (1622 – Jan 24) pray for us!
Saint Joseph Calasanctius, Founder, (1648 – Aug 25) pray for us!
Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, (1782 – Apr 17) pray for us!
Saint Bernadette Soubirous, Virgin and Religious, (1879 – Apr 16) pray for us!
* * *
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us!
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us!
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace!

Let us pray

Almighty everlasting God, we thank you for granting us the joy of honoring our holy Father Francis and his sainted followers and enjoying the protection of their unceasing prayers. Grant us also the grace to imitate their example and so attain their fellowship in eternal glory. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today is the Feast of St. James of the March, Franciscan Priest

James was born in the March of Ancona. His parents raised him in the fear and love of God, and in due time he was sent to the University of Perugia, where he studied civil and canon law with such remarkable success that he received a doctor's degree in both subjects. Despite the fact that brilliant positions were already open to him, he soon recognized the vanity of the world and felt a singular attraction for the religious life. At first he thought of joining the contemplative Carthusians, but almighty God, who had destined him to labor for the salvation of thousands of souls in the active life, led him to the Order of St. Francis.

During his novitiate James distinguished himself by the practice of all virtues, so that he became a model of religious perfection. In order to preserve angelic purity, which he had kept unsullied from his youth, he led a most austere life. He never slept more than three hours, and that on the bare floor; the remainder of the night he spent meditating on the sufferings of Christ. He constantly wore a coat of mail having sharp points. and scourged himself daily; Like our holy Father St/ Francis, he observed a 40-day fast 7 times a year. Bread and water were his regular fare, although he sometimes added uncooked beans or vegetables. Some years later, St. Bernardin of Siena prevailed upon him to mitigate these austerities somewhat in order to conserve his strength.

Soon after his ordination, when he was 30 years old, he was sent out as a missionary. He undertook this high calling with untiring zeal. For more than 50 years he traveled through Italy, Dalmatia, Croatia, Albania, Bosnia, Austria, Bohemia, Saxony, Prussia, Poland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Russia. During the years 1427 and 1428 he preached in Vienna, Augsburg, Ratisbon, Ulm, Limburg, Brandenburg, and Leipzig. Inspired by his apostolic example, more than 200 of the noblest young men of Germany were impelled to enter the Franciscan Order. The crowds who came to hear him were so great that the churches were no large enough to accommodate them, and it became imperative for him to preach in the public squares.

At Milan he was instrumental in converting 36 women of bad repute by a single sermon on St. Mary Magdalen. It is said that he brought 50,000 heretics into the bosom of the Church, and led 200,000 unbelievers to baptism. In addition, God granted St. James such wisdom, that popes and princes availed themselves of his services, seeking counsel from him. He possessed the gifts or miracles and of prophesy in great measure, yet his humility surpassed all those distinctions. He was offered the archepiscopal dignity of the see of Milan, but he declined with these words, "I have no other desire upon earth than to do penance and to preach penance as a poor Franciscan."

Worn out by his many labors as well as advanced age, he died at Naples, November 28, 1476, in the 85th year of his life, 60 years of which were consecrated to God in the religious state. He was entombed in the Franciscan church at Naples, where his body can still be seen in a crystal coffin, incorrupt, flexible, and emitting a fragrant perfume. Pope Benedict XIII canonized St. James in 1726.


PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
O God, who in order to save souls and to call back sinners from the abyss of vice and the path of virtue, didst make Thy confessor St. James a distinguished preacher of the Gospel, mercifully grant that through his intercession we may repent of all our sins and attain to eternal life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.


from: The Franciscan Book of Saints, ed. by Marion Habig, ofm., © 1959 Franciscan Herald Press


Recently (1st to 3rd November 2008) his body which is preserved beneath an altar was subject to scientific investigation at the University of Pisa, below.

Today is the Feast of St. Francis Anthony Fasani, Franciscan Priest

Born in 1681 at Lucera, southeastern Italy, Francis Anthony was the son of very poor peasants; but he was a bright lad, and received a good education from the Conventual Franciscans in his native town. When he was 14 he received the habit of St. Francis among the Conventuals, and in 1705 he was ordained to the priesthood. He was then sent to the Sagro Convento, adjoining the basilica in Assisi where St. Francis is buried, for the purpose of continuing his studies. Two years later he received the doctorate in theology, and he was then appointed lector of philosophy in the college conducted by the Conventuals in his home town. He was promoted successively to regent of studies, guardian, and provincial, which latter office he held from 1721 to 1723. After that he served as master of novices, and then as pastor of the church of St. Francis in Lucera. A bishopric was offered to him, but he declined it.

From the process of beatification we learn that Francis Anthony was diligent in study, fervent in piety, prompt in his obedience to his superiors, devout in meditation, and most exact in the fulfillment of all his duties. He was also mortified and given to the exercises of penance even to bloodshed. From his youth he was an "angel in the flesh, more an angel than a man."

Among the devotions that he cherished there were especially a tender love for the Immaculate Mother of God, a childlike affection for the Infant Jesus, and fervent devotion, also night adoration, of the Holy Eucharist. Once, while he was absorbed in prayer, someone who happened to be in the church heard a voice saying: "This priest prays much for his people."

As a priest, he also became an eloquent preacher, a lover of the poor, a friend of the unfortunate. He was a missionary, a retreat-master, and a Lenten preacher. For hours he would sit in the confessional, hearing and absolving the sins of his penitents, consoling the afflicted, warning the hardened of heart. He spent much time in visiting the sick, the orphans, and the imprisoned. As a pastor he was a real father to his people.

After 35 years in the priesthood and a life of penance, union with God, and intense labor the salvation of souls, God called Father Francis Anthony to Himself on November 29, 1742. On that day the people of Lucera came hurrying to the church of St. Francis, exclaiming as did the children at the death of St. Anthony of Padua, "The saint is dead! The saint is dead!" And for 200 years since then, they have continues to kneel and pray at his tomb. The cause of his beatification was introduced in Rome in 1832; and in 1951 Pope Pius XII solemnly enrolled him among the blessed.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that Thy faithful people may ever rejoice in venerating Thy blessed servant Francis Anthony and all Thy saints and may be aided by their unceasing prayers. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

from: The Franciscan Book of Saints, ed. by Marion Habig, ofm., © 1959 Franciscan Herald Press