Franciscan Spirit Blog

St. Anthony of Padua

St. Anthony, Help Me Find…Beauty

St. Anthony of Padua, that Hammer of Heretics, serves as a model to me that I am to preach against any dualism within myself that blocks an openness to beauty.
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Saint Thérèse image

Lent with the Saints: Thérèse of the Child Jesus

The Little Flower is a good patron for our lenten walk with Jesus. His words about humble service are meant for all who would become his followers.
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Lent with the saints

Lent with the Saints: John Vianney

Confession of sin is the theme of our First Reading today, as the people of God confess their disobedience to the Lord and seek God’s forgiveness.
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Lent with the saints

Lent with the Saints: Abraham

In Lent we read stories about Abraham—the description of God’s covenant with him and the story of his willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac, for example.
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Lent with the saints

Lent with the Saints: Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)

Padre Pio was spiritual inspiration for the older Italian members of my family. He was for that generation what St. Teresa of Calcutta is to mine.
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Lent with the saints

Lent with the Saints: Cornelius and Cyprian

The church has always been in need of reconciliation.
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Lent with the Saints

Lent with the Saints: Queen Esther

The tale of Queen Esther has all the elements of a great story. We can imagine her, the beautiful bride of a pagan king, ruler of Persia, reigning in a lavish Middle Eastern court.
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Includes Saint of the Day, Minute Meditations, and Pause + Pray.