Franciscan Spirit
The Franciscan Saints: John Duns Scotus
Franciscan Theologian
(ca. 1266–1308)
John Duns, later known as the Subtle Doctor, was called Scotus on account of his birth in Scotland. He entered the Franciscans at the age of fifteen and was later ordained a priest. After studies in Oxford and Paris, he went on to hold teaching positions in Paris and Cologne, where he was acclaimed as one of the greatest of the Scholastic theologians.
The Franciscan Saints: Jacopone Benedetti
Franciscan Poet (1230–1306) Jacopone Benedetti was a prosperous lawyer in the Umbrian town of Todi. His life took a tragic turn one day when his young wife was killed in an accident. This terrible loss was compounded by the belated ...
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The Franciscan Saints: Agnes of Bohemia
Agnes of Bohemia was born in Prague, where her father was the king of Bohemia.
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The Franciscan Saints: Maximilian Kolbe
Franciscan Martyr (1894–1941) On July 30, 1941, a prisoner escaped from Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi camp in Poland. In retaliation, the commandant lined up inmates of cell block fourteen and ordered that ten of them be selected for death. When ...
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St. Kateri Tekakwitha: Princess of the Eucharist
For many years, American Catholics who wanted to follow in the footsteps of a saint had to travel to Europe. In Assisi, they could step where St. Francis did. In Ireland, they might walk the byways of St. Patrick.
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Following Jesus through Life’s Traffic Jams
I was driving home from Myrtle Beach with my sisters and we came across a heavy load of traffic just as we were passing through the Smokey Mountains.
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Franciscan Inspirations: Grains of Sand
Jesus spoke of the potential of the tiny mustard seed: “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to [this] mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (Lk ...
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