Franciscan Spirit

Lent with the Saints: Martha and Mary

Greg Friedman, OFM April 6, 2020

Isaiah 42:1–7; Psalm 27:1, 2, 3, 13–14; John 12:1–1

During Holy Week, the liturgy begins telling the story of the passion of Jesus. The four Gospels do not offer consistent versions of Jesus’ passion and death. They know nothing of the style of reporting found in the twenty-four–hour news cycle of today! Instead, the Gospels offer theological reflection, taking common details from the tradition and shaping them to each story’s purpose.

Lent with the Saints: Clare

Greg Friedman, OFM April 5, 2020

Clare’s vocation, nurtured in her family’s home with her mother and sisters, had grown into a longing to live the gospel life in simple service.

Calling on the Lord from within the Storm

Diane M. Houdek April 4, 2020

One week ago, Pope Francis celebrated a special service blessing the city of Rome and the entire world in this time of pandemic. Italy has been especially hard hit by the coronavirus, and St.

Lent with the Saints: Catherine of Siena

Greg Friedman, OFM April 4, 2020

Catherine was a Third Order Dominican known for her prayer, her severe ascetical practices, and her learning.

Lent with the Saints: Stephen

Greg Friedman, OFM April 3, 2020

In his life and death, Stephen claims identification with Jesus and his power and presence in the world.

Lent with the Saints: Bernardine of Siena

Greg Friedman, OFM April 2, 2020

Bernardine was acknowledged as a great preacher of the era. He had entered the Franciscans at age twenty-two, after spending time nursing plague victims in his hometown of Siena, Italy.

Lent with the Saints: Maximilian Mary Kolbe

Greg Friedman, OFM April 1, 2020

Conventual Franciscan Maximilian Kolbe, imprisoned in Auschwitz in 1941, witnessed many fellow prisoners taken to the gas chambers or killed in other brutal ways.