POPULARITY
Categories
123 episodes with saint francis
238 episodes with saint francis
95 episodes with saint francis
41 episodes with saint francis
46 episodes with saint francis
15 episodes with saint francis
33 episodes with saint francis
10 episodes with saint francis
10 episodes with saint francis
10 episodes with saint francis
18 episodes with saint francis
31 episodes with saint francis
13 episodes with saint francis
13 episodes with saint francis
13 episodes with saint francis
9 episodes with saint francis
9 episodes with saint francis
17 episodes with saint francis
11 episodes with saint francis
10 episodes with saint francis
10 episodes with saint francis
7 episodes with saint francis
32 episodes with saint francis
10 episodes with saint francis
9 episodes with saint francis
8 episodes with saint francis
10 episodes with saint francis
5 episodes with saint francis
6 episodes with saint francis
6 episodes with saint francis
13 episodes with saint francis
4 episodes with saint francis
7 episodes with saint francis
5 episodes with saint francis
10 episodes with saint francis
7 episodes with saint francis
7 episodes with saint francis
12 episodes with saint francis
4 episodes with saint francis
4 episodes with saint francis
5 episodes with saint francis
5 episodes with saint francis
6 episodes with saint francis
4 episodes with saint francis
3 episodes with saint francis
5 episodes with saint francis
3 episodes with saint francis
2 episodes with saint francis
4 episodes with saint francis
3 episodes with saint francis
10 episodes with saint francis
2 episodes with saint francis
3 episodes with saint francis
4 episodes with saint francis
The Poco a Poco Podcast with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
Episode 317 - Holy Father Francis What is it about Saint Francis that still captures hearts after 800 years? In this episode, the friars begin a new series reflecting on Saint Francis during the 800th anniversary of his death. Rather than simply talking about Francis as a historical figure, they each share how he first entered their lives, how their love for him has grown, and what continues to move them about his witness. They reflect on Francis as a radical follower of the Gospel, a father, a lover, a mystic, and a man completely captured by Jesus. His poverty, penance, joy, prayer, and love for the poor were not just external acts. They flowed from a heart burning with intimacy, gratitude, and total dependence on God. This conversation invites us to look beyond the familiar images of Saint Francis and rediscover the interior fire that made him who he was. Join us as we begin this journey with Holy Father Francis and ask for the grace to love Jesus with the same freedom, passion, and totality. T he Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!
Celebrate St. Francis in October The Special Jubilee Year of Saint Francis is being celebrated from January 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027, his feast day is October 4th Opening: #665 Healing River of the Spirit Gloria: #320 Jubilation Gloria Psalm 25: Remember your mercies O Lord (Mayernk) Presentation: #645 Amazing Grace Closing: #884 For All the Saints Organist: Bill Brinzer Celebrant: Father Anthony Sciarappa Today's readings (via USCCB): bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading For more information, visit our parish website at MaryQueenofPeacePGH.org.
Samantha Rux from OSF HealthCare joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the upcoming Blood Drive, Feast of Saint Francis, Blessing of the Pets, vaccines, and chronic illness prevention. OSF HealthCare St. Luke is heading into a busy fall season with community events and health reminders. The hospital's October blood drive is set for Thursday, October 1st, from 7 AM to 5 PM in the East West Conference Room, with registration available through bloodcenter.org. OSF will also mark the Feast of St. Francis on Wednesday, October 7th, welcoming the Henry County Humane Society from 11 AM to 1 PM. A community pet blessing is planned for 12:30 PM. OSF is also encouraging flu shots, preventive care, and regular checkups to catch chronic illnesses early. Call 309-852-7700 for appointments.
Dina Marie and Franciscan Friar Fr. Dan Pattee, TOR discuss the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi and the significance of the Church of San Damiano in the life of Francis and Franciscan Spirituality. The feast of t he Transitus of Saint Francis is on Oct 3. For morehttps://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/transitus-of-st-francis/https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-tradition-and-resources/the-stigmata-of-st-francis/Subscribe to the Morning Blend on your favorite podcast platform.Find this show on the free Hail Mary Media App, along with a radio live-stream, prayers, news, and more.Look through past episodes or support this podcast.The Morning Blend is a production of Mater Dei Radio in Portland, Oregon.
In this episode, Stephen Herreid steps in as guest host on the show. His best is none other than Jason Jones himself calling in from the Texas Hill country. Together they explore the challenges faced by Christian communities in the Holy Land, the influence of media and political pressure on our calling to practice our faith, and the importance of standing with the vulnerable even when society and our allies may not. They discuss the tactics used to silence advocacy, our role of faith in confronting evil, and the cultural pressures that threaten Christian identity. Jason and Stephen explore the power of love, empathy, and practical action in addressing global conflicts, human suffering, and the importance in empathy. Jason shares an inspiring stories from Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond, emphasizing the importance of humanizing others and acting with compassion in the face of conflict. Jason shares Saint Francis's story of interfaith dialog and evangelicalism through empathy in the Middle East during a time of war.
On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about the difference between being an Illuminator and a Diminisher.And why some people can make you feel seen, lit up, and welcome, while others can make you feel kinda' invisible.I tell a story about some recent experiences of being in rooms with people I've known my whole life who never asked me a single question about myself. (WTF is up with that?
The Sacred Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi (Feast)
What temperance actually isJulie Nelson opens by admitting her first mental image of temperance was a fire-and-brimstone preacher dumping cigarettes and liquor into the river. Chris Magruder says that's exactly the misunderstanding worth correcting. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1809) describes temperance as the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures, provides balance in the use of created goods, and ensures the will's mastery over instincts. It is one of the four cardinal virtues alongside prudence, fortitude and justice. Chris points to a helpful image from the Catholic Diocese of Tyler: temperance works like a thermostat — too far one direction and it's too hot, too far the other and it's too cold. The goal is the right measure, not elimination.Temperance in ScriptureThe word itself doesn't appear the way listeners might expect. In the Old Testament, Chris notes, the language is about restraining appetites and avoiding base desires. In the New Testament, it shows up as moderation and sobriety. The virtue is there throughout, even when the vocabulary isn't.Saint Francis de Sales on moderation and identityChris highlights Saint Francis de Sales, known for gentleness, wisdom and guiding souls toward a balanced spiritual life. His advice: do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly. Chris connects it to identity as a child of God — she was made perfectly to be Chris Magruder, not Julie Nelson — and says there is real freedom in that. For deeper reading, she recommends Part III of his classic work Introduction to the Devout Life.A temperance inventory: where is this showing up in your life?Chris originally gave this talk with a 17-question self-examination. She walks through several of them on air, asking listeners whether they've done these things, been on the receiving end of them, or both:Blurting — speaking without thinking and embarrassing yourself or othersDisciplining children loudly in publicDisrespecting a spouse in front of other peopleArguing in front of others, which makes everyone in the room uncomfortableOvereating, especially sugarOverspending and over-shoppingUnchaste behavior inside or outside of marriageVideo games, technology and social media overuseOver-napping as avoidance, over-exercising, over-drinkingLiving for what other people think instead of what God thinksHer point: even good things can be overindulged, including relationships, ministry and rest. The question is always whether it is balanced."He's been trying to teach me temperance for years"Chris shares personal stories with real candor. A sixth-grade contest at Camp Foster in Okoboji, Iowa, that she won by staying silent the longest — and how taming her tongue has been a lifelong lesson since. A recent conversation with a friend she hadn't seen in twenty years, where curiosity got ahead of charity and she blurted out a question about a divorce, then went back and apologized. A situation years ago where she approached two mothers directly about their fourth-grade sons and pornography, and it bore no fruit — versus a later situation where she prayed for two weeks first, and the Lord directed her to have her husband speak to the other father. That one worked beautifully. Her takeaway: pray first. Even a quick "Lord, bind my tongue" in the moment reorients the heart.When the good things become the imbalanceChris also describes a season of saying yes to everything at church — until the Lord told her to go home. Her body was home but her mind and phone were still at the parish. She wasn't greeting her husband at the door or listening to her kids. Balance, she says, applies even to holy work: it's all good, but what are you actually called to?Practical exercises to grow in temperanceGet your priorities in order. God first, then spouse, then children, then everyone and everything else. Ask at the end of the day: who am I trying to please?Audit your calendar. Does your time reflect those priorities? Is there balance among prayer, work, play and rest? All four matter."Future with God" instead of catastrophizing. Rather than spiraling — if I lose my job, then we lose the house, then — pray forward with God: what doors could He open, who might you meet, how might your faith grow?Sit in gratitude. Count your blessings instead of sheep. Remembering God's past faithfulness quiets fear about the future.Pray the centering prayer. "Lord God, help me stay in the center of your will." He gently corrects when we drift.Go to the sacraments. Chris calls Reconciliation and the Eucharist the two great gifts that restore balance — spiritually and physically.An emotional control exercise for children (and adults)For a child in the middle of a meltdown: pause and pray "Come, Holy Spirit." Get eye contact — "look at me." Name the emotion for them. Offer a stuffed animal to hug if they need to discharge energy. Breathe in for four seconds, out for four seconds. Once they're calm, think together about what to do next. Chris notes she has used a version of this with her adult and college-age children too, and shares how looking into the eyes of a Sacred Heart of Jesus image in her prayer corner calms her the same way.Temperance and technologyJulie and Chris discuss how heavily social media is engineered to capture attention, and note that parents are now often on their devices more than their kids. Chris recommends Brick, a physical device that locks chosen apps on your phone until you walk back to it and tap again — friction that creates a pause between impulse and action. The deeper question stays spiritual: who am I trying to please, and what is this scrolling buffering me from?Catholic Women Now airs on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen live, stream past episodes and find the full programming schedule at IowaCatholicRadio.com.HASHTAGS#Temperance #CardinalVirtues #CatholicWomen #CatholicPodcast #CatholicFaith #Virtue #SelfControl #CatholicWomenNow #IowaCatholicRadio #Catechism #StFrancisDeSales #CatholicMom #FaithAndFamily #SpiritualGrowth #CatholicLiving #ScreenTime #PrayerLife #Balance Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our StationsLINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Fr Charles A M Robinson, FI and Dr. Joey Belleza join Fr. Dylan Schrader to discuss St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan theological tradition in honor of the 800th anniversary of St. Francis's death.
Laura meets the lead singer of Train—and immediately asks the dumbest question possible. His response? Even better. We also rave about the musical Begin Again, hear about Erik's unexpected “Saint Francis of Assisi” moment with a dying animal, and serve up a healthy dose of Double D Showbiz News—including what to watch and what to skip. Then we end with Disturbed Friends, the game that reveals just how deeply unwell we all are. Love your podcast!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/laura-cain-after-dark--4162487/support.SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel, FOLLOW us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, SHARE, LIKE, and by all means COMMENT. We love your feedback. Thanks for being part of the Laura Cain After Dark family. Love your podcast!
EPISODE 765 - Barb Rebon - A journey through trauma, faith, and ultimately self-acceptanceIn this episode, guest Barb Rebon shares her deeply personal journey from a childhood dream of becoming a nun to embracing her true self after decades of inner conflict. Originally from Tampa, Florida, Barb entered the convent at 16 with the Disciples of Jesus and Mary in Boston, drawn by a longing for the family and safety she lacked at home amid abuse, dysfunction, and her mother's witchcraft practices. Despite rigid rules—no close friendships, daily prayers from 5 a.m., studies, and media work like printing presses—she formed a taboo bond with an older nun, sparking confusion over her emerging feelings toward women while grappling with trauma.Barb left after 18 months but persisted, later joining her dream order, the Sisters of Saint Francis of Sales, in 1989 after a rare exception from the Mother General in Rome waived their parental marriage requirement. In New Jersey, familiar surroundings brought temporary peace, yet doubts resurfaced—questioning attractions to men, clashing with superiors, leading to her exit at 20. She remained close to the sisters for eight years, burying a haunting secret experience that intensified her shame.Moving to Irwin, Pennsylvania, in 1999 for a secret relationship with a woman marked further turmoil; even family queries were denied amid guilt rooted in faith. At 45, Barb finally voiced "I am gay" to a supportive friend, breaking years of silence on sexuality, self-harm, and pain. Now 56 and a school teacher, she refuses the closet, hoping her memoir—releasing by late May for Pride Month—fosters understanding.Key Takeaway: Silence amplifies torment, but voicing your truth to a trusted ally can liberate you—embrace who you are without shame.Barbara Rebon has spent more than three decades shaping young lives as a passionate and compassionate educator. Known for her creativity and quiet strength, she has built classrooms where students feel safe, valued, and understood during some of the most important years of their development. Her work has always centered on lifting others, even while carrying a story of her own that remained largely unseen.Behind that steady presence was a silence rooted in a childhood marked by abuse, neglect, and betrayal. That silence followed her into adulthood, influencing her sense of identity, her faith, and the way she navigated the world. In environments where truth felt unsafe, she learned to protect herself by holding it in, convincing herself that silence was safer than being fully known.Now living in Pennsylvania after growing up in Florida, Barbara continues her work as an educator while stepping into a new purpose as a voice for those still navigating their own silence. Through her story, she offers more than reflection. She offers hope, showing that even after years of being unheard, your voice still matters and your story is never finished.https://www.motivationchamps.com/authors/barb-rebon/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca
"Flowers from the Garden of Saint Francis for Every Day of the Year" offers a daily reflection inspired by the wisdom and teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi. This collection invites listeners to explore themes of humility, compassion, and reverence for nature, echoing the timeless values that Saint Francis embodied. Each day's selection serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of faith and kindness in our daily lives, encouraging personal growth and spiritual reflection. In a world that often feels chaotic, these daily inspirations provide a grounding force, inviting us to reconnect with our inner selves and the beauty around us.
Send us Fan MailFive men. Five very different lives. One surprising definition of power. We're tracing the stories of five of the most influential Catholic saints to find what actually changes a soul and what can change ours too. If you've ever felt stuck in prayer, tired of shallow motivation, or unsure how to grow in holiness without burning out, these saints offer something better than hype: a proven path rooted in grace, the sacraments, and surrender to God's will.We start with Saint Augustine of Hippo, the brilliant mind with a restless heart, and follow his road from searching to conversion through mercy, truth, and the prayers that wouldn't quit. Then we step into the radical simplicity of Saint Francis of Assisi, whose poverty becomes real joy, and the fiery clarity of Saint Anthony of Padua, whose preaching and miracles flow from deep Eucharistic devotion. From there, we move into the interior life with Saint John of the Cross and his teaching on the dark night of the soul, where suffering can purify love when it's united to Christ.Finally, we meet Saint John Vianney, the Curé of Ars, whose life in the confessional and before the tabernacle shows how confession, Eucharistic adoration, and pastoral sacrifice can renew a whole community. Along the way we talk about Catholic devotion to the Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the communion of saints, and practical ways to ask for their intercession through the Rosary and novenas. Subscribe for more Catholic faith and spirituality, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review. Which of these saints do you want to learn from first?Open by Steve Bailey Support the showJourneys of Faith brings you Super Saints PodcastsVisit our blog for full text of our podcasts https://journeysoffaith.com/blogs/eucharist-mary-saintsDownload Journeys of Faith App for Iphone or Android FREE https://journeysoffaith.com/pages/download-our-appPlease consider subscribing to this podcast or making a donation to Journeys of Faith Help us Grow!Journeys of Faith is blessed to provide Catholic media, including podcasts and inspirational content, free of charge across multiple media platforms for viewers and listeners around the world. While access to this content remains free, there are significant and continually increasing costs associated with producing, hosting, and distributing these programs. Your support helps us continue sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith with souls everywhere. We want to reach more souls and you can help us do that by becoming a Mission Angel. Make a Donation Any AmountRefer a FriendYou can help us by referring a friend! When they upgrade you get $20 and so does Journeys of Faith...
Pastor Matt Sturdevant opened the sermon with a striking passage from C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters, in which the demon Screwtape reassures his apprentice Wormwood not to panic just because their "patient" has become a Christian — because the habits of the patient, both mental and bodily, are still in their favor. That sobering image set the tone for the entire message: becoming a follower of Jesus is only the beginning. Every disciple must be intentional about renewing their mind, transforming their heart, and deploying their hands — because if we do nothing, we drift, and we drift in the wrong direction. The heart of the sermon centered on the big idea that every follower of Jesus has been intentionally placed where they are to represent Christ and help others discover His ways. Pastor Matt walked through three key points: every disciple is sent, ordinary life carries extraordinary purpose, and ordinary faithfulness creates eternal impact. To make that real and practical, he outlined a simple, non-weird framework for living as a sent person: notice the people God has already placed around you, pray for them specifically, care for them genuinely, share naturally about Jesus, invite them to take a next step, and simply walk with them — whether they respond to the gospel or not. The podcast discussion that followed dug deeper into what this actually looks like in everyday life. The team unpacked the danger of two opposite errors — words without a matching life, and a life without words — pushing back on the popular but historically questionable quote often attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi: "Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words." The truth, Pastor Matt argued, is that good works make the gospel believable, but they cannot make it understandable. Words are necessary. And when it comes to not knowing enough to share your faith, the answer is probably less than you think — because a personal testimony of "I was one way, Jesus entered my life, and now I'm different" is a powerful and accessible starting point for anyone.
Dr. Jason Crawford is a professor of early modern literature and culture at Union University. In his research and teaching he works on both tragedy and suffering and comedy and laughter. His latest book is God's Fools: Saints, Prophets, Martyrs, and the Making of Modern Comedy. In this episode, Dr. Crawford and Jonathan Rogers talk about standup comedy, Saint Francis, Saint Lawrence (the patron saint of comedians), and the surprising connections among martyrs, holy fools, and the comedians of our own era.Support the show: https://therabbitroom.givingfuel.com/memberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Full Text of Readings Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 437 The Saint of the day is Blessed Frédéric Ozanam Blessed Frédéric Ozanam's Story A man convinced of the inestimable worth of each human being, Frédéric served the poor of Paris well, and drew others into serving the poor of the world. Through the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, which he founded, his work continues to the present day. Frédéric Ozanam was the fifth of Jean and Marie Ozanam's 14 children, one of only three to reach adulthood. As a teenager he began having doubts about his religion. Reading and prayer did not seem to help, but long walking discussions with Father Noirot of the Lyons College clarified matters a great deal. Frédéric wanted to study literature, although his father, a doctor, wanted him to become a lawyer. Frédéric yielded to his father's wishes and in 1831, arrived in Paris to study law at the University of the Sorbonne. When certain professors there mocked Catholic teachings in their lectures, Frédéric defended the Church. A discussion club which Frédéric organized sparked the turning point in his life. In this club, Catholics, atheists, and agnostics debated the issues of the day. Once, after Frédéric spoke about Christianity's role in civilization, a club member said: “Let us be frank, Mr. Ozanam; let us also be very particular. What do you do besides talk to prove the faith you claim is in you?” Frédéric Ozanam was stung by the question. He soon decided that his words needed a grounding in action. He and a friend began visiting Paris tenements and offering assistance as best they could. Soon a group dedicated to helping individuals in need under the patronage of Saint Vincent de Paul formed around Frédéric. Feeling that the Catholic faith needed an excellent speaker to explain its teachings, Frédéric convinced the Archbishop of Paris to appoint Dominican Father Jean-Baptiste Lacordaire, the greatest preacher then in France, to preach a Lenten series in Notre Dame Cathedral. It was well-attended and became an annual tradition in Paris. After Frédéric Ozanam earned his law degree at the Sorbonne, he taught law at the University of Lyons. He also earned a doctorate in literature. Soon after marrying Amelie Soulacroix on June 23, 1841, he returned to the Sorbonne to teach literature. A well-respected lecturer, Frédéric worked to bring out the best in each student. Meanwhile, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society was growing throughout Europe. Paris alone counted 25 conferences. In 1846, Frédéric, Amelie, and their daughter Marie went to Italy; there he hoped to restore his poor health. They returned the next year. The revolution of 1848 left many Parisians in need of the services of the Saint Vincent de Paul conferences. The unemployed numbered 275,000. The government asked Frédéric and his coworkers to supervise the government aid to the poor. Vincentians throughout Europe came to the aid of Paris. Frédéric then started a newspaper, The New Era, dedicated to securing justice for the poor and the working classes. Fellow Catholics were often unhappy with what Frédéric wrote. Referring to the poor man as “the nation's priest,” Frédéric said that the hunger and sweat of the poor formed a sacrifice that could redeem the people's humanity. In 1852, poor health again forced Frédéric to return to Italy with his wife and daughter. He died on September 8, 1853. In his sermon at Frédéric's funeral, Fr. Lacordaire described his friend as “one of those privileged creatures who came direct from the hand of God in whom God joins tenderness to genius in order to enkindle the world.” Frédéric was beatified in 1997. Since Frédéric wrote an excellent book entitled Franciscan Poets of the Thirteenth Century, and since his sense of the dignity of each poor person was so close to the thinking of Saint Francis, it seemed appropriate to include him among Franciscan “greats.” His liturgical feast is celebrated on September 9. Reflection Frédéric Ozanam always respected the poor while offering whatever service he could. Each man, woman, and child was too precious to live in poverty. Serving the poor taught Frédéric something about God that he could not have learned elsewhere.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Jim is joined by Justin Kenny from Outside The Huddle and OPS to recap Week 3 of HS football. Fort Wayne Tincaps team president Mike Nutter joins for his final weekly chat of the 2026 season. The VP of student life and athletics at the University of Saint Francis, Mike McCaffrey joins for his weekly Cougars chat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Full Text of Readings Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 435 The Saint of the day is Saint Rose of Viterbo Saint Rose of Viterbo's Story Even as a child, Rose had a great desire to pray and to aid the poor. While still very young, she began a life of penance in her parents' house. She was as generous to the poor as she was strict with herself. At the age of 10, she became a Secular Franciscan and soon began preaching in the streets about sin and the sufferings of Jesus. Viterbo, her native city, was then in revolt against the pope. When Saint Rose of Viterbo took the pope's side against the emperor, she and her family were exiled from the city. When the pope's side won in Viterbo, Rose was allowed to return. Her attempt at age 15 to found a religious community failed, and she returned to a life of prayer and penance in her father's home, where she died in 1251. Rose was canonized in 1457. Reflection The list of Franciscan saints seems to have quite a few men and women who accomplished nothing very extraordinary. Saint Rose of Viterbo is one of them. She did not influence popes and kings, did not multiply bread for the hungry, and never established the religious order of her dreams. But she made a place in her life for God's grace, and like Saint Francis before her, saw death as the gateway to new life.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
On this episode of The Digital Patient, Dr. Joshua Liu, Co-founder & CEO of SeamlessMD, and colleague, Alan Sardana, chat with Reetu Singh, MD, FACHE, MBA, Senior Vice President and System Chief Medical Officer at Saint Francis Health System, about "Why to Shop for Digital Tools the Way You Shop at Home Depot, the Hidden Cost of Standardizing Patient Care, the Signal That Beats Every Dashboard Metric, and more..."
A key dimension to navigating 340B involves data, because the way hospitals and their pharmacies crunch numbers can be key to avoiding compliance issues and finding new opportunities to improve savings and patient access to care. Saint Francis Health System's 340B Program Manager Ted Houston tells us how his health system is getting the most value out of all the data.Compliance and Savings OpportunitiesHouston says his health system has put in a lot of work with its enterprise and data analytics team to align what the electronic health record system is exporting to what drug companies are demanding in order to improve compliance. But he said improving reports also led to additional savings for his system, as some claims were miscategorized within third-party administrator systems. Data Consolidation, Better WorkflowsHouston said health systems can improve their data monitoring by reducing individual data sources — for example, by using a standardized data extract from a third-party administrator and using tools to scan for certain types of claims. Saint Francis found success with improving oncology medication workflows, finding tens of thousands of dollars' worth of eligible savings on certain oncology medicines.Investing in Better Data Quality, Not VolumeTo improve data collection, Houston said self-education — both about different analytical resources and what use cases would have the biggest impact — is critical to optimizing data. Those tools may cost money, but it is important to concisely communicate the value proposition for compliance or savings when investing in new tools to improve how hospitals gather and process data.Resources:Episode 140: What Illinois 340B Advocates Did To Succeed on 340B ProtectionsIllinois Governor Signs 340B Contract Pharmacy Protections as Drugmakers File Lawsuits
Jim Shovlin is joined by Outside The Huddle's Justin Kenny to recap Week 2 of the high school football season. Fort Wayne Tincaps team president Mike Nutter and the VP of student life and athletics at the University of Saint Francis, Mike McCaffrey join for their weekly chats.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a collection of 365 moral admonitions of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) and other notable Franciscans. The compiler of this anthology suggests that Francis "was inspired by God, six hundred years ago, to rekindle in His Church the spirit of humility, simplicity, poverty, detachment from the world, and ardent love of our crucified Redeemer." Indeed, these admonitions manifest a great concern for the cultivation of personal humility, meekness, chastity, and sorrow for sin. The admonitions you find here are directed primarily to Franciscan friars and cloistered nuns, as seen, for example, in the exhortations to friars and nuns to obey the religious superiors who oversee their friaries and convents. Yet, this lofty spiritual wisdom and rigorous discipline has been adapted in numerous ways over the centuries to meet the spiritual needs of secular clergy and laypersons, to guide them safely through this life to the next, to enable them to enjoy a deeper personal relationship with our Creator, and to cultivate in them a greater respect for His beloved creatures. Consequently, Franciscanism has found a home not only within the cloister but without its towering walls, and not only among Christians of all denominations but also among non-Christians and even non-believers. Its universal appeal is epitomized, perhaps, in that benevolent old Franciscan greeting "Pax et bonum!"—"Peace and all good be with you!"—which is still used in our time in a world broadly diverse in creed and culture. (Summary by dave7)
Chez Filippini continues the series on Saint Francis by talking with J. Frank Pate, OFS from Tallahassee about his journey from Catholicism through evangelical and Anglican ministry back to the Catholic Church, and into life as a Secular Franciscan. Frank shares how the Franciscan rule, love for the Eucharist, and a vocation to simplicity, fraternity, and chastity shape his daily life and service to the poor.
Full Text of Readings Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 426 The Saint of the day is Saint Louis of France Saint Louis of France's Story At his coronation as king of France, Louis IX bound himself by oath to behave as God's anointed, as the father of his people and feudal lord of the King of Peace. Other kings had done the same, of course. Louis was different in that he actually interpreted his kingly duties in the light of faith. After the violence of two previous reigns, he brought peace and justice. Saint Louis of France “took the cross” for a Crusade when he was 30. His army seized Damietta in Egypt but not long after, weakened by dysentery and without support, they were surrounded and captured. Louis obtained the release of the army by giving up the city of Damietta in addition to paying a ransom. He stayed in Syria four years. Louis deserves credit for extending justice in civil administration. His regulations for royal officials became the first of a series of reform laws. He replaced trial by battle with a form of examination of witnesses and encouraged the use of written records in court. Saint Louis of France was always respectful of the papacy, but defended royal interests against the popes, and refused to acknowledge Innocent IV's sentence against Emperor Frederick II. Saint Louis of France was devoted to his people, founding hospitals, visiting the sick, and like his patron Saint Francis, caring even for people with leprosy. He is one of the patrons of the Secular Franciscan Order. Louis united France—lords and townsfolk, peasants and priests and knights—by the force of his personality and holiness. For many years the nation was at peace. Every day, Louis had 13 special guests from among the poor to eat with him, and a large number of poor were served meals near his palace. During Advent and Lent, all who presented themselves were given a meal, and Louis often served them in person. He kept lists of needy people, whom he regularly relieved, in every province of his dominion. Disturbed by new Muslim advances, Louis led another crusade to North Africa in 1270. Within a month of their landing at Carthage, the army camp was decimated by disease. Louis himself died there at the age of 56. He was canonized 27 years later. Reflection Saint Louis of France was strong-willed, strong-minded. His word was trusted utterly, and his courage in action was remarkable. What is most remarkable was his sense of respect for anyone with whom he dealt, especially the “humble folk of the Lord.” To care for his people he built cathedrals, churches, libraries, hospitals and orphanages. He dealt with princes honestly and equitably. He hoped to be treated the same way by the King of Kings, to whom he gave his life, his family and his country.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
It's Friday, August 21st, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Nigerian policed arrested 22-year-old for converting to Christianity Nigerian police arrested a 22-year-old woman for converting to Christianity from Islam, reports International Christian Concern. Though the Federal High Court ruled in her favor, the Christian family that helped her is facing false charges of kidnapping. In 2025, “Sarah” fled from her home in Kano State after her elder siblings tried forcing her into an arranged marriage with a Muslim. While she was on the run, a Christian family took her in and shared the Gospel with her. Through the Abaras family's witness, she gave her life to Jesus Christ. When her siblings learned of her conversion, they began working with the local Hisbah, the Islamic police force, to track her down and arrest her. Police discovered her and detained her for four days, during which they beat her and pressured her to return home and accept the Muslim-arranged marriage. When she was released, the Abaras family helped her escape to a neighboring state with less Muslim influence. Please pray for Sarah's safety and that her Christian faith would grow stronger. According to Open Doors, Nigeria, Africa is the seventh most dangerous country worldwide for Christians. Ex-Fauci adviser pleads guilty to concealing COVID-19 origins On August 18th, Dr. Anthony Fauci's former senior adviser pleaded guilty to plotting to conceal federal records related to research on the origins of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, reports the Associated Press. Dr. David Morens is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12 by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Greenbelt, Maryland. Morens pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government, a felony punishable by a maximum prison sentence of five years. Morens is accused of using his private email account to intentionally circumvent public records laws while employed at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The Justice Department alleges that he concealed or destroyed records of discussions related to COVID-19 research grants, including an effort to revive a controversial coronavirus grant. The indictment follows a probe by House Republicans into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic that scrutinized Morens' email communications and accused him of intentionally concealing records. In congressional testimony, Morens denied attempting to evade federal transparency laws by using his personal email. Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.” Senator Darline Graham performed poorly in Senatorial run-off debate On August 19th, NewsMaxTV hosted the South Carolina GOP Senatorial run-off debate between Senator Darline Graham, who was appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster in the wake of the death of her brother Lindsey Graham, and Congressman Ralph Norman. When Greta Van Susteren asked a foreign policy question, it was clear that Senator Darline was out of her depth. Listen. VAN SUSTEREN: “Senator [Graham], are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security issues for the United States? If so, why?” GRAHAM: “Um. I'm sorry. Could you repeat the question?” VAN SUSTEREN: “Are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security issues for the United States. And if so, why or how?” GRAHAM: “I'm just going to be honest here. I'm not on national security. I'm not that informed on national security. (audience boos and laughs) So, but I do support the military. My brother was in the Air Force for 33 years, so I will do everything I can to support the military. My dad was in the Army. “I'm not a polished politician up here. I'm … National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise. But I do support the military.” By contrast, Congressman Ralph Norman, her opponent in the South Carolina GOP Senatorial run-off, said this. NORMAN: “Taiwan's a definite ally. We have a trading relationship with them that is beneficial to the United States – [computer] chips being one of them, and others. “So, what the, what the president is doing right is he's enabling Taiwan to defend themselves against China. But it's peace through strength that he's showing with Iran that China, Russia, others are looking at it. They don't want to deal with America, and that's why they haven't attacked Taiwan. “If they had some weak Democrat in office, like Biden or another Obama, yeah, they'd take it over. But we can't let that happen. Peace through strength is working.” J.D. Vance believes Christian lifestyle suffices over verbal evangelism And finally, in a July 15th appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Vice President J.D. Vance, who converted to Catholicism from Protestantism, explained that he does not evangelize by word. VANCE: “You know, I don't preach to people. I don't, like, walk into the White House, tell my employees, ‘You know, you need to be, you need to follow Jesus as your Lord and Savior.' I just try to live my life in a way that hopefully makes people a little curious about what, you know, what motivates me and what inspires me.” Todd Friel, a reformed pastor in Atlanta, is the host of the Wretched Network which produces radio shows, TV shows, and books. He says the notion of wretched is at the very core of the Gospel because God saves wretches like us. Friel had this response to Vice President Vance. FRIEL: “According to 1 Peter 3, that is true: We should live in such a way that it causes unbelievers, who are persecuting us, to ask about the reason for the hope that lies within us. That is most certainly true. “However, that is not the end of our responsibility. We are also called to make the most of every opportunity, to go and make disciples. It is our lifestyle that undergirds our confession, testimony, and evangelism. But a lifestyle is not evangelism itself.” Joe Rogan agreed with Vice President Vance. ROGAN: “I think living by example is probably the best promotion of any good way to live your life …” VANCE: “I agree.” ROGAN: “… whether it's Christianity or any other religion. I think that's definitely the way to do it.” Friel replied with this analysis. FRIEL: “It is a part of it. It does undergird our testimony, but how will they hear unless somebody preaches to them? In other words, evangelism requires words! Nobody can actually find a credible source of Saint Francis of Assisi, who said, ‘Share the Gospel, and if necessary, use words.' Well, it is necessary! Otherwise, you're just being a nice person.” Indeed, in Romans 10:14-15, the Apostle Paul asks, “How then will they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of Whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News!'” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, August 21st, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
Friends of the Rosary,In the Gospel today (Matthew 18:15–20), Jesus teaches how to correct a brother with patience and charity. Correction is meant to restore communion. It's fraternal correction.Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, the saint of today, lived this deeply: after suffering widowhood and many family trials, she let grief become holiness. She founded the Visitation Order with Saint Francis de Sales.The Lord is always calling us to reconciliation, not resentment.Let's stay faithful and seek peace without pretending sin does not matter, separating the sin from the person. All of it by telling the truth, and always with the hope of winning the person back.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• August 12, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
Send us Fan MailGrief can hollow a life out or it can open it up. Saint Jane Frances de Chantal shows a third way: bring the loss to Christ, stay close to the Eucharist, and let God reshape what you thought your future would be. We walk through her journey from noble France to the daily grind of marriage and motherhood, where faith is not a slogan but a lived routine of Mass, prayer, the Rosary, and mercy toward the poor. If you've ever wondered whether holiness in daily life is actually possible, her story answers with quiet force.When tragedy strikes with the sudden death of her husband, Jane becomes a widow and single mother, carrying real sorrow and real responsibility. We reflect on redemptive suffering in Catholic teaching, not as spiritual denial, but as an offering united to the Cross and sustained by Eucharistic devotion through Communion, adoration, and persistent prayer. Her Marian devotion is not an accessory; it becomes a lifeline, a way of entrusting her children and her broken heart to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary.We also explore the importance of spiritual direction through her friendship with Saint Francis de Sales, whose wisdom centers on gentleness, humility, abandonment to God's will, and prayer in a busy life. That guidance helps Jane discern a new vocation and eventually found the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, welcoming women who are burdened, older, or in fragile health. If you're searching for Catholic spirituality that meets you in suffering and still points to joy, this conversation will stay with you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review with the line that challenged you most.Open by Steve Bailey Support the showJourneys of Faith brings you Super Saints PodcastsVisit our blog for full text of our podcasts https://journeysoffaith.com/blogs/eucharist-mary-saintsDownload Journeys of Faith App for Iphone or Android FREE https://journeysoffaith.com/pages/download-our-appPlease consider subscribing to this podcast or making a donation to Journeys of Faith Help us Grow!Journeys of Faith is blessed to provide Catholic media, including podcasts and inspirational content, free of charge across multiple media platforms for viewers and listeners around the world. While access to this content remains free, there are significant and continually increasing costs associated with producing, hosting, and distributing these programs. Your support helps us continue sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith with souls everywhere. We want to reach more souls and you can help us do that by becoming a Mission Angel. Make a Donation Any AmountRefer a FriendYou can help us by referring a friend! When they upgrade you get $20 and so does Journeys of Faith...
Full Text of Readings We couldn't findthis page. The Saint of the day is Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Saint Jane Frances de Chantal's Story Jane Frances was wife, mother, nun, and founder of a religious community. Her mother died when she was 18 months old, and her father, head of parliament at Dijon, France, became the main influence on her education. Jane developed into a woman of beauty and refinement, lively and cheerful in temperament. At 21, she married Baron de Chantal, by whom she had six children, three of whom died in infancy. At her castle, she restored the custom of daily Mass, and was seriously engaged in various charitable works. Jane Frances de Chantal's husband was killed after seven years of marriage, and she sank into deep dejection for four months at her family home. Her father-in-law threatened to disinherit her children if she did not return to his home. He was then 75, vain, fierce, and extravagant. Jane Frances de Chantal managed to remain cheerful in spite of him and his insolent housekeeper. When she was 32, Jane Frances de Chantal met Saint Francis de Sales who became her spiritual director, softening some of the severities imposed by her former director. She wanted to become a nun but he persuaded her to defer this decision. She took a vow to remain unmarried and to obey her director. After three years, Francis told Jane of his plan to found an institute of women that would be a haven for those whose health, age, or other considerations barred them from entering the already established communities. There would be no cloister, and they would be free to undertake spiritual and corporal works of mercy. They were primarily intended to exemplify the virtues of Mary at the Visitation—hence their name the Visitation nuns—humility and meekness. The usual opposition to women in active ministry arose and Francis de Sales was obliged to make it a cloistered community following the Rule of Saint Augustine. Francis wrote his famous Treatise on the Love of God for them. The congregation consisting of three women began when Jane Frances was 45. She underwent great sufferings: Francis de Sales died; her son was killed; a plague ravaged France; her daughter-in-law and son-in-law died. She encouraged the local authorities to make great efforts for the victims of the plague, and she put all her convent's resources at the disposal of the sick. During a part of her religious life, Jane Frances de Chantal had to undergo great trials of the spirit—interior anguish, darkness, and spiritual dryness. She died while on a visitation of convents of the community. Reflection It may strike some as unusual that a saint should be subject to spiritual dryness, darkness, interior anguish. We tend to think that such things are the usual condition of “ordinary” sinful people. Some of our lack of spiritual liveliness may indeed be our fault. But the life of faith is still one that is lived in trust, and sometimes the darkness is so great that trust is pressed to its limit.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Send us Fan MailAn invading army at the gates of a poor convent is not a setting most of us will ever face, yet the fear underneath it is familiar. We share the gripping Catholic story of Saint Clare of Assisi and the miracle of the monstrance at San Damiano, where a frail, cloistered abbess meets violence with the one “weapon” she believes the world cannot defeat: Jesus in the Eucharist.We walk through who Clare is, how a noblewoman in 1194 Assisi hears the Gospel through Saint Francis of Assisi, and why she leaves privilege behind to found what becomes the Poor Clares. That quiet foundation matters, because her most famous act of courage is not a spontaneous stunt. It is the fruit of a lifetime of Eucharistic devotion, prayer, and surrender, shaped by faith in the Real Presence.Then the crisis hits. Tradition places the siege in 1240 as Saracen mercenaries advance on the countryside. Clare gathers her sisters before the Blessed Sacrament, prays for protection, and lifts the monstrance toward the threat. The story ends with the attackers retreating and the community spared, and we sit with what that means for modern Catholics who are anxious, overwhelmed, or worn down by a world that feels hostile.If you want to deepen your Eucharistic faith, renew your love for adoration, or simply learn how to choose peace when fear feels loud, this one is for you. Subscribe for more Catholic saint stories, share this with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review with the line that stayed with you most.Open by Steve Bailey Support the showJourneys of Faith brings you Super Saints PodcastsVisit our blog for full text of our podcasts https://journeysoffaith.com/blogs/eucharist-mary-saintsDownload Journeys of Faith App for Iphone or Android FREE https://journeysoffaith.com/pages/download-our-appPlease consider subscribing to this podcast or making a donation to Journeys of Faith Help us Grow!Journeys of Faith is blessed to provide Catholic media, including podcasts and inspirational content, free of charge across multiple media platforms for viewers and listeners around the world. While access to this content remains free, there are significant and continually increasing costs associated with producing, hosting, and distributing these programs. Your support helps us continue sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith with souls everywhere. We want to reach more souls and you can help us do that by becoming a Mission Angel. Make a Donation Any AmountRefer a FriendYou can help us by referring a friend! When they upgrade you get $20 and so does Journeys of Faith...
Tuesday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Clare, 1194-1253; Clare heard Saint Francis of Assisi preach and it ignited in her a desire to follow Christ in a similar way; Saint Francis took Saint Clare to San Paolo and placed her in the care of Benedictine nuns; her sister joined her in holy vows within a month; Saint Francis established a community for them, and other women, at San Damiano and the Second Order of Saint Francis was born; later called the Poor Clares; as abbess, Saint Clare nurtured women in Christ and sent daughters planting convents all throughout Europe. Saint Clare was canonized two years after her death Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 8/11/26 Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
Dr. Kelley Mathews Sharifa Stevens If you, like most of us in this audience, are Protestant, be prepared for a treat as you listen to this conversation about women saints we should know. Dr. Kelley Mathews joins host Sharifa Stevens to discuss a number of women from the early church who were named saints because of their faith and actions. You'll come away excited and perhaps surprised as you hear about these godly women who played major roles in church history. They teach us great lessons from their love for the Lord, their tenacity and bold courage. Recommended resources BOW's resources on Studying and Teaching the Bible Hildegard: A playlist of her music and her biography The Passions of Perpetua and Felicity Augustine's sermon (#280) on Perpetua & Felicity Monica We learn most of our content about her in Augustine's Confessions. Clare: Biography Read her "Rule" Brigid article This episode is available on video as well. Timestamps: 00:21 Introductions 02:37 The difference between knowing and venerating the saints 03:40 Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs 12:10 Monica, Augustine's mother 19:29 Brigid of Kildare 27:35 Hildegard of Bingen 34:18 Clare of Assisi 41:32 Other resources TranscriptSharifa >> Welcome to Beyond Ordinary Women. I'll be your host for today, Sharifa Stevens. And today our topic is going to be about women, saints that we all should know about. I'm really excited to dig into this topic, and we're going to have our expert Dr. Kelley Mathews, explain more to us about these women whom we should know. And I want to tell you about Kelley. I bet most of you know Dr. Kelley already. But let me tell you a little bit more, just in case. Kelley Mathews, Dr. Kelley Mathews, has ministered to the church through writing and editing for over 25 years. She's a coauthor of eight books, including 40 Questions About Women in Ministry. And also she's a freelance writer and editor. A former women's ministry director and Bible study teacher. Kelley has been married to John, a school administrator, for almost 29 years. They are parents to four active, mostly grown children. Kelley earned her Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and earned a Doctor of Ministry in New Testament from Houston Theological Seminary just in 2025. Welcome. Now, I can't call you Dr. Kelley. Why? Kelley >> You kind of overdid it there. That's all. Sharifa >> That's my job. It's my job to overdo it. Kelley >> Okay. Okay. I'll take it from you. Not from anybody else, though. No, it's so new. It's still very strange to hear it. So that's all. Sharifa >> You earned it. So I'm using it. Kelley >> I had a lot of fun in that program, so if I could still go back to class, I would. You know, I shouldn't say that too loudly around here. Sharifa >> Tuition-free class? Yeah. Kelley >> Yeah. No, it was a great program over in Houston. So and that's a lot of what we're going to cover today is what I studied there. So yeah. Sharifa >> Excellent. Well let's dive in. We're discussing women saints who we should know. But before we get into the specific saints, I just wanted to know, is knowing the saints the same as venerating or worshiping them? Kelley >> No. Absolutely not. This is basically history. And I was a history major for my bachelor's degree. And so coming full circle with this theological study, I naturally went to the history of the church. So New Testament kind of morphed also into the early church, those first few centuries of what was the church getting up to? And so knowing the people. I mean I would assume that a lot of Christians would recognize names like Augustine or Aquinas or maybe Saint Francis or Luther. We're just giving you female equivalents, basically. So, yes, just as there were fathers of the church, there were mothers of the church. Sharifa >> I dig it. Thank you. Okay, so let's get into specifics.
Father Peter George Flynn visits Camp Pio in Mountrath, a Catholic camp for primary school children, and speaks with young attendees about their favorite activities, friendships, and what they have learned about Saint Francis of Assisi. The children share stories ranging from a missionary attacked by a sloth in the Amazon to stained glass art […] L'articolo Camp Pio: Father Peter Talks to the Children and Organisers proviene da Radio Maria.
Uncover the layered spiritual meaning behind the Lord's Prayer through the wisdom of Saint Francis and Saint Bonaventure. Father Peter George Flynn breaks down the seven petitions, linking them to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and the defeat of deadly sins. Celebrating the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis, this broadcast revitalizes foundational Catholic […] L'articolo The Franciscan Hour – Understanding the Our Father – Frs Peter George Flynn OFMConv proviene da Radio Maria.
Get all set for Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time with Father Johnathan MeyerSummaryJoin us as we explore the spiritual significance of silence, prayer, and the importance of Sabbath in our lives, with insights from Father Meyer. Discover practical ways to incorporate contemplative prayer and silence into your busy schedule and deepen your faith.Key topicsThe significance of silence and contemplative prayerThe biblical basis for Sabbath and restPractical ways to find silence in a busy lifeThe role of prayer in spiritual growthThe meaning of the parables of JesusChapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Stories03:58 Seasonal Celebrations and Community Events05:55 The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Gospel and Reflection10:27 Preaching on the Parable of the Weeds and Wheat16:56 The Importance of Silence and Contemplative Prayer20:51 The Significance of Sabbath and Rest in Christian Life27:59 Practical Tips for Finding Silence and Rest36:06 Working on Sundays and Moral Considerations39:40 Community Celebrations and Religious Festivals42:23 Saint Francis of Assisi and Religious Exhibits44:19 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
Full Text of Readings Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Lectionary: 391 The Saint of the day is Saint Bonaventure Saint Bonaventure's Story Perhaps not a household name for most people, Saint Bonaventure, nevertheless, played an important role in both the medieval Church and the history of the Franciscan Order. A senior faculty member at the University of Paris, Saint Bonaventure certainly captured the hearts of his students through his academic skills and insights. But more importantly, he captured their hearts through his Franciscan love for Jesus and the Church. Like his model, Saint Francis, Jesus was the center of everything—his teaching, his administration, his writing, and his life. So much so, that he was given the title “Seraphic Doctor.” Born in Bagnoregio in 1221, Saint Bonaventure was baptized John, but received the name Bonaventure when he became a Franciscan at the age of 22. Little is known about his childhood, but we do know that his parents were Giovanni di Fidanza and Maria Ritell. It seems that his father was a physician and a man of means. While Saint Francis died about five years after the saint's birth, he is credited with healing Bonaventure as a boy of a serious illness. Saint Bonaventure's teaching career came to a halt when the Friars elected him to serve as their General Minister. His 17 years of service were not easy as the Order was embroiled in conflicts over the interpretation of poverty. Some friars even ended up in heresy saying that Saint Francis and his community were inaugurating the era of the Holy Spirit which was to replace Jesus, the Church, and Scripture. But because he was a man of prayer and a good administrator, Saint Bonaventure managed to structure the Order through effective legislation. But more importantly, he offered the Friars an organized spirituality based on the vision and insights of Saint Francis. Always a Franciscan at heart and a mystical writer, Bonaventure managed to unite the pastoral, practical aspects of life with the doctrines of the Church. Thus, there is a noticeable warmth to his teachings and writings that make him very appealing. Shortly before he ended his service as General Minister, Pope Gregory X created him a Cardinal and appointed him bishop of Albano. But a little over a year later, while participating in the Second Council of Lyon, Saint Bonaventure died suddenly on July 15, 1274. There is a theory that he was poisoned. Saint Bonaventure left behind a structured and renewed Franciscan Order and a body of work all of which glorifies his major love—Jesus. Reflection Bonaventure so united holiness and theological knowledge that he rose to the heights of mysticism while remaining a very active preacher and teacher, one beloved by all who met him. To know him was to love him; to read him is still for us today to meet a true Franciscan and a gentleman.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
This episode is a GREAT ONE! An inspirational story from double-amputee quarterback Calder Hodge followed by another QB from Mount Union in Mikey Maloney who has an AWESOME mindset to leading the Purple Raiders this fall. Tim and Kobe recap a big recent transfer out of D2, pull back the curtain on D2 NIL, and take a look at Minnesota State's new proposed facility.Seth and Mike join the pod to preview Saint Francis as the newly-named Red Wolves make the transition to Division 3 from FCS and we predict how they will fare this fall. Finally, we've got a NEW NAIA team coming in 2027 as Midway transitions from a Sprint Football program. Thanks for tuning in!Video Chapters:0:00 Episode Overview4:07 Calder Hodge - William Woods19:57 Jordan Rogers: Pitt State to Texas Tech25:25 What does D2 NIL Look Like?29:41 Minnesota State Mankato NEW Facility36:16 D2 Tweets42:37 Mikey Maloney - Mount Union57:52 Saint Francis... PAC Contender?1:13:33 D3 Tweets / Random1:24:24 NEW NAIA TEAM - Midway University
We are called to bring Christ's love and peace to all whom we meet in every situation. The Pallottine Fathers and brothers dedicate themselves, under the inspiration of St. Vincent Pallotti, to work for greater peace and charity in our world. This blogcast explores “Instruments of Peace and Love" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written by Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, S.A.C. and read by Jonathan Harrison.Homily for July 10, 2024“Grant us to be instruments of peace and love, reflecting the love of Christ in every situation” The theme for our reflection and prayer today is, once again, taken from the Prayer in Preparation for the UAC General Congress. It is a very sincere prayer from our hearts: “Grant us to be instruments of peace and love, reflecting the love of Christ in every situation.” Every Pallottine is called to be an instrument of peace and love, by reflecting the love of Christ in every possible situation.This prayer reminds of the famous prayer of the great Saint Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” It is a timeless expression of humility, love, and service to others. The prayer captures St. Francis's commitment to peace, love and compassion, emphasizing virtues like forgiveness, understanding, and selflessness. It is also a reminder for all the members of the Union that they have to be genuinely involved in the affairs of the world. They have to be instruments of peace and love, fraternal communion and solidarity, through the exercise of forgiveness and compassion. They have to be healers and protectors of the widows and orphans. But all these things are to be done not on their own merit; they have to only reflect the love of Christ in every situation.The first reading from the book of Hosea reminds us that we can cease to be instruments of peace and love. Israel became like a luxuriant vine producing a lot of fruit. “The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; the richer his land became, the richer he made the sacred pillars. Theirs is a divided heart; now they will have to pay for it. He himself will hack down their altars and wreck their sacred pillars.” (Hosea 10:1-2) God destroyed the arrogance and the symbols of immortality.“Sow saving justice for yourselves, reap a harvest of faithful love; break up your fallow ground: it is time to seek out Yahweh until he comes to rain saving justice down on you.” (Hosea 10:12) Hence the invitation is to reap a harvest of love. In the Gospel passage of today, we see Jesus empowering the twelve disciples to reap the harvest of love, and proclaim the Kingdom of justice and love. “He summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to drive them out and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness.” (Matthew 10: 1-7) Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, the source of division and conflicts. The Kingdom of God will be marked by the values of communion, justice and peace. In this context the words of Saint Pope VI in Populorum Progressio (n.76) are very appropriate:“When we fight poverty and oppose the unfair conditions of the present, we are not just promoting human well-being; we are also furthering man's spiritual and moral development, and hence we are benefiting the whole human race. For peace is not simply the absence of warfare, based on a precarious balance of power; it is fashioned by efforts directed day after day toward the establishment of the ordered universe willed by God, with a more perfect form of justice among men.”Speaking of the mission of the Union of Catholic Apostolate in cooperation with all people of good will, living images of charity itself, n.16 of the General Statute identifies a number of areas for our engagement with the world, such as: protecting the values of human life and the family, working for the promotion of justice, solidarity, peace and protection of creation, encouraging inter-religious dialogue, and caring for the poor and needy. We have innumerable examples of our commitment to the needs of the people of God in our Pallottine Family. What we do for the poor and needy will be most meritorious before God. Without genuine commitment to acts of fraternal charity, the Union will always remain just a concept without flesh and blood. I conclude with these words of hope expressed by Pope Francis in his Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti: “I invite everyone to renewed hope, for hope 'speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning. Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfillment, a desire to achieve great things, things that fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love… Hope is bold; it can look beyond personal convenience, the petty securities and compensations which limit our horizon, and it can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile.' Let us continue, then, to advance along the paths of hope.” (n.55) Amen. Author:Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, S.A.C. is the UAC President Resources:Listen to On Mission: Pallottine Fathers and BrothersRead and learn about Fratelli TuttiRead the Ad Infinitum blogLearn about St. Vincent Pallotti Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.
Full Text of Readings Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 379 The Saint of the day is Saint Junipero Serra Saint Junipero Serra's Story In 1776, when the American Revolution was beginning in the east, another part of the future United States was being born in California. That year a gray-robed Franciscan founded Mission San Juan Capistrano, now famous for its annually returning swallows. San Juan was the seventh of nine missions established under the direction of this indomitable Spaniard. Born on Spain's island of Mallorca, Serra entered the Franciscan Order taking the name of Saint Francis' childlike companion, Brother Juniper. Until he was 35, he spent most of his time in the classroom—first as a student of theology and then as a professor. He also became famous for his preaching. Suddenly he gave it all up and followed the yearning that had begun years before when he heard about the missionary work of Saint Francis Solano in South America. Junipero's desire was to convert native peoples in the New World. Arriving by ship at Vera Cruz, Mexico, he and a companion walked the 250 miles to Mexico City. On the way Junipero's left leg became infected by an insect bite and would remain a cross—sometimes life-threatening—for the rest of his life. For 18 years, he worked in central Mexico and in the Baja Peninsula. He became president of the missions there. Enter politics: the threat of a Russian invasion south from Alaska. Charles III of Spain ordered an expedition to beat Russia to the territory. So the last two conquistadors—one military, one spiritual—began their quest. José de Galvez persuaded Junipero Serra to set out with him for present-day Monterey, California. The first mission founded after the 900-mile journey north was San Diego in 1769. That year a shortage of food almost canceled the expedition. Vowing to stay with the local people, Junipero Serra and another friar began a novena in preparation for St. Joseph's day, March 19, the scheduled day of departure. On that day, the relief ship arrived. Other missions followed: Monterey/Carmel (1770); San Antonio and San Gabriel (1771); San Luís Obispo (1772); San Francisco and San Juan Capistrano (1776); Santa Clara (1777); San Buenaventura (1782). Twelve more were founded after Serra's death. Junipero made the long trip to Mexico City to settle great differences with the military commander. He arrived at the point of death. The outcome was substantially what Junipero Serra sought: the famous “Regulation” protecting the Indians and the missions. It was the basis for the first significant legislation in California, a “Bill of Rights” for Native Americans. Because the Native Americans were living a nonhuman life from the Spanish point of view, the friars were made their legal guardians. The Native Americans were kept at the mission after baptism lest they be corrupted in their former haunts—a move that has brought cries of “injustice” from some moderns. Junipero Serra's missionary life was a long battle with cold and hunger, with unsympathetic military commanders and even with danger of death from non-Christian native peoples. Through it all his unquenchable zeal was fed by prayer each night, often from midnight till dawn. He baptized over 6,000 people and confirmed 5,000. His travels would have circled the globe. He brought the Native Americans not only the gift of faith but also a decent standard of living. He won their love, as witnessed especially by their grief at his death. He is buried at Mission San Carlo Borromeo, Carmel, and was beatified in 1988. Pope Francis canonized him in Washington, D.C., on September 23, 2015. Reflection The word that best describes Junipero Serra is zeal. It was a spirit that came from his deep prayer and dauntless will. “Always forward, never back” was his motto. His work bore fruit for 50 years after his death as the rest of the missions were founded in a kind of Christian communal living by the Indians. When both Mexican and American greed caused the secularization of the missions, the Chumash people went back to what they had been—God again writing straight with crooked lines.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
G.K. Chesterton wrote that there are two ways of getting home—stay there, or walk around the entire world until you arrive from the other direction. For graphic novelist Ben Hatke, that line from The Everlasting Man wasn't simply a meditation on returning with fresh eyes: it became a commission. In this episode, Joe Grabowski sits down with Hatke—author of the forthcoming graphic memoir Home/World—to trace how one Chestertonian passage sent him east for 55 days across twelve countries, and how Chesterton's deepest convictions about man, story, and homecoming turned out to be more true the farther from home he traveled. In This Episode: How a single passage from G.K. Chesterton's The Everlasting Man—the two ways of getting home—became the animating vision behind a 55-day circumnavigation of the globe What Chesterton understood about encountering the world with fresh eyes: the generosity of strangers, the power of a story to cross any language barrier, and the world that waits beyond the screen How Ben Hatke wove historical figures—Ibn Battuta, Nellie Bly, Saint Francis—into the narrative as "ghosts," and why the Chestertonian idea of the communion of saints gives this technique its deepest meaning G.K. Chesterton's imagery of the circle and the line—from The Everlasting Man to Orthodoxy to The Man Who Was Thursday—and what it reveals about why a first encounter with any place is irrepeatable Why creating the book proved as life-changing as the journey itself and what Ben discovered about story, memory, and the difference between what is factual and what is true Chapters: 00:00: Welcome and Introduction 02:25: The Everlasting Man Quote Behind the Journey 06:01: Memory, Story, and How a Journey Becomes True 08:05: The Generosity of Strangers 13:37: Turkey and the Moment It Became an Adventure 22:33: Circumnavigating Post-COVID: The When and Why 31:02: "I Admire Your Life—It Looks Like Freedom" 35:03: Making the Book: Falling in Love with Storytelling Again 39:09: Historical Ghosts: Inviting the Past into the Journey 44:58: Circles and Lines: Chesterton's Vision of Coming Home Resources Mentioned: Home/World: A Circumnavigation of Our Shared Earth — Ben Hatke (forthcoming) Ben Hatke's website Ben Hatke on Patreon Ben Hatke on Instagram The Everlasting Man — G.K. Chesterton "Drawing Inspiration from Chesterton, with Ben Hatke" — previous Uncommon Sense appearance 2026 Chesterton Conference FOLLOW US: Instagram Facebook X SUPPORT: Donate Shop Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios
For more than five decades, Trent Angers has dedicated his life to journalism, publishing, and preserving the stories that define Louisiana and its people. As founder, editor, and publisher of Acadian House Publishing, Trent has edited and published 126 books over a 45-year career while also authoring six books of his own. His work has ranged from Cajun history and Louisiana political figures to military ethics, faith, and inspirational storytelling. A graduate of LSU’s School of Journalism, where he was named Outstanding Graduating Senior and received the Hodding Carter Award for Responsible Journalism, Trent followed in the footsteps of his father, Bob Angers, founder of Acadiana Profile magazine. Trent would eventually spend 36 years as editor and publisher of Acadiana Profile, helping build it into one of the longest-running regional magazines in America before selling the publication in 2010 to focus full-time on book publishing with Acadian House Publishing. During our conversation, Trent reflects on a life immersed in words, ideas, and the people behind them. “Born with printer’s ink in my blood” Trent jokes that journalism was his destiny. “You could say I was born with printer’s ink in the blood.” His father purchased the Franklin Banner-Tribune in 1953, and Trent grew up watching the realities of community journalism firsthand. When Bob Angers launched Acadiana Profile in 1968, regional magazines were virtually unheard of. “I thought he had lost his mind because there was almost no such thing as a city or regional magazine in this country at the time.” Instead, Bob Angers proved to be a visionary. More than fifty years later, the publication remains an important voice for South Louisiana. Acadian House Publishing: More Than Books Today, Acadian House Publishing is one of Louisiana’s most respected independent publishers. Its catalog includes biographies, history, cookbooks, inspirational works, faith-based books, and regional classics. Trent describes publishing as far more than simply printing books. “Publishing involves careful acquisition of titles, careful editing, fact-checking, correcting, perfecting, marketing, warehousing, accounting, and distribution.” Acadian House receives approximately 150 manuscript proposals each year but publishes only three or four books annually. “No is the most powerful word in the English language.” With limited capacity, Trent looks for books that move people, educate readers, and inspire meaningful reflection. Dispelling Myths About Cajun Culture At age 40, Trent wrote his first book, The Truth About the Cajuns, a work designed to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about Acadian people. “The first book I actually wrote is when I turned 40. The book was titled The Truth About the Cajuns. The book was designed to dispel the myths and stereotypes about the Acadian people. We’re very proud of our Acadian heritage. We’re not simple minded people who aren’t so bright. We don’t all dwell in the swamp. Our lives do not revolve around eating, drinking and dancing Trent wanted readers to understand that Cajun identity extends far beyond the caricatures often portrayed in popular culture. The book remains one of the most thoughtful examinations of Cajun identity and heritage. Dudley LeBlanc: The Original Champion of Cajun Pride Another of Trent’s works is Dudley LeBlanc: A Biography, which chronicles the life of the legendary founder of Hadacol and one of Louisiana’s most colorful political figures. “Dudley LeBlanc, who founded Hadacol, was also known as the political and almost spiritual leader of the Acadian people. He had a French language radio show emanating from from Abbeville. The truth is, Dudley started the French Renaissance movement before Jimmy Domengeaux formalized it through CODIFIL. Dudley LeBlanc would bring it up and say, ‘Let’s stand up for our Acadian heritage and be proud and not ashamed of who we are, not ashamed of our heritage and culture.” While many remember LeBlanc for his wildly successful patent medicine business, Trent argues that his greatest contribution was cultural. Long before organizations formalized the movement to preserve Cajun culture, LeBlanc encouraged Acadians to embrace their language, traditions, and identity. According to Trent, both Dudley LeBlanc and James Domengeaux deserve tremendous credit for preserving and advancing Acadian culture in Louisiana. The Forgotten Hero of the My Lai Massacre Perhaps no project has shaped Trent’s career more than The Forgotten Hero of My Lai: The Hugh Thompson Story. The book tells the story of Hugh Thompson Jr., the American helicopter pilot credited with stopping the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War. “I became Thompson’s biographer and spent lots and lots of time with him in Vietnam, in Norway, and throughout the United States, in Washington, D.C., etc. I wrote his speech when he received the soldier’s medal in Washington at the Vietnam Wall, which is the highest award a soldier can earn for anything other than direct combat with the enemy,” Trent said. Trent devoted more than 3,000 hours of research across three continents to tell Thompson’s story. “That book was my opus.” The defining moment came when Thompson landed his helicopter between fleeing Vietnamese civilians and advancing American soldiers. “Not on my watch,” he said. Thompson ordered his gunner to protect the civilians, even if it meant turning their weapons on fellow Americans. His actions saved lives and ultimately helped bring the massacre to an end. Trent explains why Thompson’s story continues to resonate: “They were willing to give up their lives just because it was the right thing to do.” The book has since been placed on the reading list of the Joint Chiefs of Staff because of its lessons on leadership, battlefield ethics, and moral courage. Publishing Louisiana’s Most Influential Voices Over the years, Acadian House has published works by an extraordinary range of Louisiana authors and leaders. Among them are books by: Dale Brown Lt. General Russel L. Honoré Marcelle Bienvenu Camille Pavy Claiborne Brian Sibley Chad Judice Trent speaks admiringly of each, emphasizing not only their accomplishments but also their character, intellect, and ability to inspire others. Dale Brown and Human Dignity One of Trent’s most meaningful publishing relationships has been with legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown. Acadian House published Brown’s Getting Over the Four Hurdles of Life, and Trent later authored Dale Brown: Caught in the Battle for Human Dignity. He also played a significant role, along with Lafayette attorney Glenn Armentor, in the effort to have LSU’s basketball court named in Brown’s honor. “Every generation needs role models.” For Trent, Brown represents integrity, courage, compassion, and leadership. “Dale Brown is a role model of integrity, courage, bravery, intelligence.” Those qualities made him not only a successful coach but also one of America’s most sought-after motivational speakers. The Secret Life of an Editor One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation centered on the editor-author relationship. After working closely with writers for months or years, Trent says editors often develop a deep understanding of how authors think. “We call that mind meld.” His philosophy is simple: “The job of an editor is to make the writer look like a genius.” That requires more than correcting grammar. It involves improving structure, strengthening logic, checking facts, and helping authors communicate their ideas as clearly as possible. Cookbooks Outsell Almost Everything Despite publishing biographies, history, and inspirational works, Trent admits one category consistently surprises him: Cookbooks. Acadian House’s most successful title is Marcelle Bienvenu’s iconic cookbook Who’s Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make a Roux? The book has sold approximately 200,000 copies. “That book is in the top one percentile of books ever published in America.” For Trent, the success is both gratifying and humbling. “You do a cookbook and you sell the heck out of it.” The enduring popularity of Louisiana food culture continues to introduce readers around the world to Acadiana traditions. Freedom of the Press As a lifelong journalist, Trent remains deeply passionate about the First Amendment. “Freedom of the press is the hill I would die on. This country is free, in part because of the free press. Because of the free flow of information. It’s the press’s job to educate, to inform, to entertain. We serve the public, not the government. The press exists to serve the public.” He argues that a free society depends upon the free flow of information and a press willing to challenge power when necessary. “The press exists to serve the public, not the government.” Regardless of political affiliation, Trent believes journalism’s highest calling remains informing citizens and protecting democratic accountability. What’s Next: Orphan Train to Louisiana Among Acadian House’s upcoming projects is Orphan Train to Louisiana, a book examining the little-known story of thousands of orphaned children transported from New York City to families across America. The project was inspired by a staggering historical reality. “At one point in New York City there were 30,000 babies and children on the street, homeless.” The book explores the efforts of religious organizations and charitable groups that worked to place children with loving families, including many in Louisiana. For Trent, it is exactly the kind of story Acadian House loves to tell: forgotten history that reveals the best of humanity. Faith, Service, and Gratitude Outside of publishing, Trent is active in the Secular Franciscan Order, whose members seek to live according to the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi through service, humility, and care for others. Reflecting on his blessings, he says: “We’re among the luckiest people in the world, in the history of civilization.” That perspective of gratitude, combined with a lifelong commitment to storytelling, continues to shape his work today. Whether preserving Cajun history, documenting battlefield courage, promoting faith-filled voices, or introducing readers to remarkable Louisianans, Trent Angers remains one of Acadiana’s most important cultural storytellers. To learn more about Trent Angers and Acadian House Publishing, visit their website and explore a catalog that reflects the rich history, culture, faith, and character of Louisiana.
This year commemorates 800 years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, and Father Dave welcomes Jon Sweeney to discuss this saint's lessons for the modern world. Jon is Religion Editor and Associate Publisher at Monkfish Publishing, as well as the author of many books on Franciscan spirituality including his latest, "Experiencing God: 36 Ways According to Saint Francis of Assisi."
Today’s Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) William discusses apparitions of the Holy Apostles, including the apparitions of Saint Peter to Roman Emperor Constantine, to Saint Francis of Assisi, and to Saint John Nolasco; Saints Peter and Paul to Saint Sylvester; Saint John to Saint Prochorus, then later at Knock, Ireland; Saint Andrew to the Monk Epiphanius and to Bishops; Saint Bartholomew to certain Armenian Faithful; and Saint Paul to Saint Anthony the Great
Full Text of Readings Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 367 The Saint of the day is Saint Joseph Cafasso Saint Joseph Cafasso's story Even as a young man, Joseph Cafasso loved to attend Mass and was known for his humility and fervor in prayer. After his ordination, he was assigned to a seminary in Turin. There he worked especially against the spirit of Jansenism—an excessive preoccupation with sin and damnation. He used the works of Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Alphonsus Liguori to moderate the rigorism popular at the seminary. Joseph Cafasso recommended membership in the Secular Franciscan Order to priests. He urged devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and encouraged daily Communion. In addition to his teaching duties, Joseph was an excellent preacher, confessor, and retreat master. Noted for his work with condemned prisoners, he helped many of them die at peace with God. Joseph Cafasso urged one of his former pupils—Saint John Bosco—to establish the Salesians congregation to work with the youth of Turin. Joseph died in 1860, and was canonized in 1947. His liturgical feast is celebrated on June 23. Reflection Devotion to the Eucharist gave energy to all Joseph's other activities. Long prayer before the Blessed Sacrament has been characteristic of many Catholics who have lived out the gospel well: Saint Francis, Bishop Fulton Sheen, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, and Saint Teresa of Calcutta among them.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Full Text of Readings Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 91 The Saint of the day is Saint Albert Chmielowski Saint Albert Chmielowski's Story Born in Igolomia near Kraków as the eldest of four children in a wealthy family, Albert Chmielowski was christened Adam. During the 1864 revolt against Czar Alexander III, Adam's wounds forced the amputation of his left leg. His great talent for painting led to studies in Warsaw, Munich, and Paris. Adam returned to Kraków and became a Secular Franciscan. In 1888, when he founded the Brothers of the Third Order of Saint Francis, Servants to the Poor, he took the name Albert. They worked primarily with the homeless, depending completely on alms while serving the needy regardless of age, religion, or politics. A community of Albertine sisters was established later. Pope John Paul II beatified Albert Chmielowski in 1983, and canonized him six years later. His liturgical feast is celebrated on June 17. Reflection Reflecting on his own priestly vocation, Pope John Paul II wrote in 1996 that Albert Chmielowski had played a role in its formation “because I found in him a real spiritual support and example in leaving behind the world of art, literature, and the theater, and in making the radical choice of a vocation to the priesthood” (Gift and Mystery: On the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination). As a young priest, Karol Wojtyla repaid his debt of gratitude by writing The Brother of Our God, a play about Brother Albert's life.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Defending the Faith Conference: https://cvent.me/gqgxwV?utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=dfc_influencers_2026&utm_medium=social&utm_term=keithnester_2026&RefId=KEITHNESTER26 Use Code:KEITH25 for a discount. In this episode of Catholic Feedback, Keith Nester sits down with Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, President of Franciscan University of Steubenville, to discuss his journey to the priesthood, the spirituality of Saint Francis of Assisi, and what it means to live the Gospel with authenticity in today's world. Fr. Dave shares how God called him to the Franciscan way of life, the impact of St. Francis on his vocation, and the ministry philosophy that has shaped his leadership and service to the Church. Together, Keith and Fr. Dave explore evangelization, discipleship, Catholic education, and why a personal encounter with Jesus Christ remains at the heart of everything. Whether you're discerning your vocation, seeking to deepen your faith, or simply curious about Franciscan spirituality, this conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical insights for living the Gospel. In this episode: Fr. Dave's journey to the priesthood The influence of St. Francis of Assisi Franciscan spirituality and the Gospel The mission of Franciscan University Evangelization and discipleship today Encountering Jesus Christ in everyday life Catholic Feedback is a production of Down to Earth Ministry, dedicated to helping people encounter Jesus Christ, understand the beauty of the Catholic faith, and live as faithful disciples. Fr. Dave's content can be found here: https://faithandreason.com/ Franciscan University: https://franciscan.edu/
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
