Franciscan Spirit Blog

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Carlo Acutis and the Gift of Presence

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Often attributed to John Lennon, this quote from American journalist Allen Saunders speaks to me especially this week of April 21, 2025, as I write this piece...
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A display showing Carlo Acutis and a monstrance is seen near his tomb at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi, Italy, Oct. 3, 2020. The Italian teen, who had a great love for the Eucharist, will be beatified Oct. 10 in Assisi. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Carlo Acutis and the Faithful Servant

In the Gospel of Matthew (25:23), as Jesus approaches the city of Jerusalem for the last time, he talks to his disciples about their need to be “faithful and prudent servants.”
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The Speed of My Soul

It must be God’s great sense of humor that we sometimes have to slow down to discover that we mustn’t waste a moment of time.
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St. Catherine of Siena: The Feisty Dominican

Catherine of Siena preached a message of peace and forgiveness. Her message is one of hope, especially for our Church.
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Resilience and Struggle

Resilience is what happens when we give up control and are willing to embrace the ambiguity.
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Después del Suicidio: 7 Cosas Que los Católicos Deben Saber

Muchas personas viven con el dolor de perder a un ser querido por suicidio. Rara vez paso una semana sin recibir una carta, un correo electrónico o una llamada telefónica de alguien que acaba de perder a un familiar por ...
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Father Kevin Regan of the Archdiocese of Washington demonstrates the granting of absolution that occurs during the sacrament of reconciliation. The priest, acting in the person of Christ, can absolve a person of their sins with their contrition, confession and penance. (CNS photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec) (Feb. 5, 2013) See LENT-CONFESSION Jan. 30, 2013. Editors: Photo was taken for the purpose of illustration and not during an actual confession.

Lent and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Now that we are in the midst of the Lenten season, parishes will be offering several opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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