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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Cross and a crown of thorns

Lent with St. Clare: Third Friday

“I admonish and exhort all my sisters, both those present and those to come, to strive always to imitate the way of holy simplicity, humility, and poverty.” —The Testament of St. Clare For many of us, simplicity is something that ...
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Purple flowers

Lent with St. Clare: Third Thursday

“O most noble Queen, gaze upon Him, consider Him, contemplate Him, as you desire to imitate Him.” —Second letter to Agnes of Prague
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Purple flower in a field

Lent with St. Clare: Third Wednesday

Love was at the heart of everything St. Clare did. Her love for Christ was her purpose. Her love for St. Francis was her compass.
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Cross inside a purple heart

Lent with St. Clare: Third Tuesday

Sometimes it can be hard to be the first to do something. We hold back for any number of reasons. We might be afraid of making a mistake or of being ridiculed. After the first person takes the leap, though, ...
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Cross in a bowl of ashes

Lent with St. Clare: Third Monday

At this point in our Lenten journey, we may be growing weary of the promises we made at the beginning of the season. In those moments, we must remember St. Clare’s determination.
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Cross laid on palms

Lent with St. Clare: Third Sunday

All too often, we see God as a distant figure. When we do that, though, we fail to see the many ways that God is working in our lives. Perhaps God is present in a friend or family member who ...
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