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Writer's pictureMary Jo Barr

MEMORIAL OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI, OCTOBER 4, 2022



Responsorial Psalm PS 139:1B-3, 13-14AB, 14C-15

R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way. O LORD, you have probed me and you know me; you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way. Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.


REFLECTION

The picture of St. Francis was kept by another saint who was spiritually connected to St. Francis of Assisi.


St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta had a strong devotion to St. Francis of Assisi. In fact, besides having the picture above in her convent she also had her sisters recite the Peace Prayer of St. Francis every morning before the Blessed Sacrament.


St. Francis of Assisi was born in Italy to wealthy parents and named Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone. Francis' transformation occurred after a brief illness when he changed from a carefree, wealthy youth into a young man who wanted to live as Christ lived.


His complete conversion happened when Francis met a leper on the road and after passing him turned around and "embraced him." This signified his total surrender in obedience to Christ's message to him during prayer. Jesus told him, "Francis! Everything you have loved and desired in the flesh it is your duty to despise and hate, if you wish to know my will. And when you have begun this, all that now seems sweet and lovely to you will become intolerable and bitter, but all that you use to avoid will turn itself into great sweetness and exceeding joy."


He began to realize that loving the poor and caring for the sick was how Jesus lived His life and He wanted to be like Jesus Christ. Francis lived by Jesus' words, "Announce the kingdom! Possess no gold or silver or copper in your purses, no traveling bag, no sandals, no staff." (Luke 9:1-3).


Admiring St. Francis, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta wanted to live as Jesus did and serve the poor and care for the sick, too. St. Mother Teresa and her sisters cared for over 93,000 lepers during her life.


St. Francis died at the age of 44. While he was dying he sang his Canticle of the Sun and then recited Psalm 141. His final request was to die naked lying on the earth as his beloved Lord, Jesus Christ died.


R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way. Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.


HAPPY FEAST DAY TO ALL THOSE PAPA PRIESTS AND PAPA MEMBERS WITH ST. FRANCIS' NAME.

Pope Francis

Fr. Francis Dang Hoa, C.Ss.R.

Fr. Francis X.N. Loi, C.Ss.R.

Fr. Francis Macatangay

Fr. Thomas Francisco Mckuluni

Fr. Francis Pham

Fr. Francis Nguyen Son Mien (deceased)

Fr. Michael J. Truongluan Nguyen's birthname was François (please correct me if I am wrong)

Frances Rosprim (member)

Mary Jo Francis Knox



God bless you all!



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