Franciscan Spirit

The Franciscan Saints: Maximilian Kolbe

Robert Ellsberg July 16, 2018

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 one of the ten cried out that he would never see his family again, another prisoner stepped forward and volunteered to take his place.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha: Princess of the Eucharist

James Breig July 14, 2018

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.

Cars driving on the highway in the desert

Following Jesus through Life’s Traffic Jams

Erika Glover July 14, 2018

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.

sand in the hand | Photo by Elijah Hiett on Unsplash

Franciscan Inspirations: Grains of Sand

Jim Van Vurst, OFM June 15, 2018

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 ...