Franciscan Spirit

Radical Saints: Maria Faustina Kowalska

Born August 25, 1905, in Poland | Died October 5, 1938, in Poland
Canonized April 30, 2000 | Feast Day: October 5

Faustina’s Radical Gift

It’s human nature to desire to be well liked and understood. Many of those around Faustina, including some of the women in her own community, saw her single-minded drive to bring the Lord’s Divine Mercy message to the world as egotistical and delusional. Faustina didn’t care what anyone other than Jesus thought of her, and she radically embraced being his messenger.

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Stained glass window of jesus

White Savior: A Look at Race and Religion

Though keeping ourselves informed on the racial divide is important, sometimes we can find information and inspiration along the pop-culture landscape.
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Vision for a New Community

On July 5, 1852, Fredrick Douglas, in addressing an anti-slavery conference in New York, said: “At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. O! had I the ability, and could I reach the nation’s ear, I ...
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Hope & Humility: Our Weapons against COVID-19

Most of us want to believe that the world is fundamentally predictable and safe.
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New Tau Cross

A Franciscan Response to America's Racial Unrest

The death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, has thrown this country into a crisis. How can we heal?
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Man praying | Photo by Ric Rodrigues

How Can Anyone Pray ‘Always’?

Prayer is saying “yes” to the paschal mystery at work in all things.
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church candles at mass

Praying with the Saints: All Are Welcome

The saints exemplify what happens to people who respond wholeheartedly to these divine initiatives: They are transformed, as sparks of love leap up into a great blaze of union with God.
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