Inspiration
Study & Theology: Francis, the Opposite of Practical
“If the degree would look good on your resume, go for it!” That was Dad’s response when I told him that I was thinking about getting a master’s degree in Franciscan theology. As a parent, Dad was particularly concerned about the practical reasons for my embarking on a two-year program of study when I was already just a few years away from retirement. From Dad’s perspective, my decision to go back to school must have appeared impulsive.
Study & Theology: For Space Travelers in Search of the Heart
My wife and I have a tradition of getting each other a Christmas ornament each year. One of the first she got for me was a space shuttle since she sometimes called me “spaceman.” She had already realized that I ...
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Francis: A Natural Spiritual Genius
If our only goal is to love, there is no such thing as failure. Francis succeeded in living in this single-hearted way and thus turned all failure on its head. He even turned failure into success. This intense eagerness to ...
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Transitus: St. Francis Embraces Sister Death
On October 3, 1226, Francis of Assisi died. Franciscans worldwide observe this day as the Transitus: his journey from this life to the next.
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A New Understanding of the Prayer of St. Francis
This author shows how you can use this well-known prayer as a guide to inner healing and loving yourself.
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Lady Jacoba and the Spirituality of Presence
What do cookies have to do with Franciscan spirituality? When St. Francis was on his deathbed, a seemingly simple treat brought by his good friend Lady Jacoba lifted his spirits and soothed his suffering.
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I’d Like to Say: St. Francis Reminds Us of Our Place in Creation
There weren’t ecologists in the Middle Ages, at least by our modern understanding of environmentalism. But St. Francis changed all that with a new vision of creation as a reflection of God’s love and the Incarnation.
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