Star Wars and Christian Mysticism

Stephen Copeland November 6, 2020

In my youth, Star Wars, spiritually speaking, was all about the tension between the dark side and the light side of the Force—a saga about morality.

Saint Nicholas Tavelic and Companions

Franciscan Media November 6

Saint Nicholas Tavelic and his companions were martyred in the Holy Land in 1391. While their method of evangelization is different from what we would use today, their zeal and courage are evident in their actions. They stand alone as canonized Franciscan martyrs of the Holy Land.

Saint Peter Chrysologus

Franciscan Media November 5

Today we celebrate a Doctor of the Church, Saint Peter Chrysologus, which means “of the golden words.” As bishop of Ravenna, Peter Chrysologus taught and led his diocese, showing them his commitment to the faith and to the Church’s authority. His writings have come down to us as masterful treatments on what we believe.

Man sitting in a dark tunnel for some reason.

Battling the Darkness

Kyle Kramer November 4, 2020

To paraphrase Dante’s famous opening lines from the Inferno, I find myself “within a dark wood where the straight way was lost.”

Faith and Family for November 8: Parable of the Ten Virgins

Faith and Family team November 4, 2020

This week’s Gospel story recounts Jesus telling the disciples that the Kingdom of Heaven is like 10 virgins going out to meet their bridegrooms.

Saint Charles Borromeo

Franciscan Media November 4

Saint Charles Borromeo lived during the time of the Protestant Reformation, and helped with the reform of the whole Church during the final years of the Council of Trent. He also reformed the Catholic life of his diocese. Charles Borromeo was a member of the Medici family, but unlike many of his relatives, he devoted his life to the Church.

A Prayer for Peace on Election Day

Rock Travnikar, OFM November 3, 2020

The weeks leading up to today’s election has been wrought with strife, mistrust, and vitriol. As children of God, we should strive to do better. To be better.

Saint Martin de Porres

Franciscan Media November 3

Due to racial and social prejudices, Saint Martin de Porres might have grown to be a bitter man, but he did not. Instead, he turned to the needs of others and generously cared for the poor and downcast. He was known for his goodness to, and love of others, regardless of their race.

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

Franciscan Media November 2

Following the ancient tradition within the Church of offering prayers for the faithful departed, today we offer our prayers for all of our deceased relatives and friends, trusting in the power of prayer and the infinite mercy of God.

Solemnity of All Saints

Franciscan Media November 1

While many saints have a specific feast day on which we celebrate their lives and work, the vast majority of the saints of heaven do not. Today we celebrate All Saints, those men, women, and children who have gone before us and on whose shoulders we stand in our faith.