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Posted By Teresa Redder, on May 10th, 2025 “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Easter season is the Church’s celebration of the glory of Christ’s resurrection–for fifty wondrous days! As Spring unfolds splendidly around us, we are vividly aware of the signs of new life: in our gardens, our neighborhoods, local parks, and farm fields which will soon provide us with fresh fruits and vegetables. Without any effort on our part, the Lord God provides for “His people, the flock He tends.” (cf. Ps. 100)
On May 24, 2015 (Pentecost Sunday), Pope Francis released the encyclical “Laudato Si’” (LS) for the Church. The title came from the Canticle of the Creatures that St. Francis of Assisi wrote 800 years ago (1225): “Praise be to You, My Lord.” In the introduction to the encyclical, Pope Francis addressed the tears of Sister Mother Earth with this poignant observation: “This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the good with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will. The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also evident in the soil, in the water, in the air, and in all forms of life.”
In the second reading from the Book of Revelation, St. John has a vision of a great multitude standing before God’s throne, where the Lamb of God, their Shepherd, sits at the center. Despite many dangers, toils, sufferings, and fears, God has delivered His sheep with the assurance that “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” In the papal encyclical, Pope Francis gives a profound warning to the world to take care of the common home which God gave to all of us. Noting grave ecological challenges, Pope Francis makes the case for a conversion among people of good will to recognize “the intimate relationships between the poor and the fragility of the planet.” (LS 16) Indeed, there are many tears shed every day throughout the world by those who suffer from the sins of indifference.
Since the completion of his wonderful Lenten book/movie project, Deacon Jim Casa has been promoting his next activity for our parish: the encyclical letter “Laudato Si’” and the movie “The Letter.” On June 1st (Ascension Sunday) at 2:30 PM in Sacred Heart School Library, Deacon Jim has planned to show the video to anyone who wishes to understand ecological conversion better. How timely this offering is as the Church celebrates the 10th anniversary of the encyclical and the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures!
As soon as Pope Francis emerged on the balcony at St. Peter’s Square in 2013 as the next successor of St. Peter, he made it a priority of his papacy to evangelize through the importance of relationships: with God, one another, and God’s Creation. By choosing the papal name Francis, he embraced the vision of a medieval saint who made Christ the center of His life, living the Good News with joy and zeal. It is no wonder that the Canticle of the Creatures inspired Pope Francis to write an encyclical to awaken the world to our shared stewardship of God’s goodness that is revealed in all of Creation.
In his book “God’s Love Song: The Vision of Francis and Clare” (Franciscan Media, c. 2024), Franciscan Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, captures how St. Francis became a Troubadour of the Great King through his daily simple praises of the all-good God, who inspired the saint’s lifetime of loving service to all of God’s creatures. In his final addition to the Canticle. St. Francis even embraced Sister Death:
“The ‘Canticle of the Creatures’ is the great love song of St. Francis of Assisi. It is a beautiful aria, a poem, and a hymn of thanksgiving that praises God and reveals St. Francis’s profound relationship with God and all of God’s creatures. It is a swan song in the tradition of the troubadours before him that puts lyrics to a life of love.”
Deacon Jim’s book/video project is somewhat different this time, because it is difficult to make a movie of an encyclical. In the video, however, the powerful message of the encyclical comes alive through the four stories (five different protagonists) who speak for Mother Earth with personal stories of the need for ecological conversion, so that the tears of those who suffer will be wiped away:
- Cacique Dadá, a leader of the Novo Lugar community of Borari people in the Maró Indigenous Territory of Pará, Brazil;
- Arounda Kandé, a climate refugee from the Kolde Region of Senegal, where 80% of the population lives in poverty;
- Ridhima Pandey, from Hadiwar Uttarakhand, India, who started advocacy at age 9 for alarming climate issues;
- Greg Asner & Robin Marlen, husband and wife marine biologists from Hawaii who have devoted their scientific research for the protection of life.
June 1st is an important date on our calendars: a communal sharing of the encyclical’s message to unite us by hope to care for our common home. Pope Francis invites us to reexamine our relationships:
“Disregard for the duty to cultivate and maintain a proper relationship with my neighbor, for whose care and custody I am responsible, ruins my relationship with my own self, with others, with God and with the Earth. When all these relationships are neglected, when justice no longer dwells in the land, the Bible tells us that life itself is endangered.” (LS 70)
Jesus speaks to us in so many ways—even in book/movie projects! Let’s get to know Him better…
”The glory of God gave it light and its lamp was the Lamb.”
Teresa S. Redder, OFS
SPECIAL BLESSINGS TO ALL AS WE CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY!
Posted By Teresa Redder, on May 4th, 2025 St. Katherine Drexel Regional Fraternity
Regional Spiritual Assistant
St. Francis of Assisi Friary
1901 Prior Road
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
tel: (302) 798-1454 fax: (302) 798-3360 website: skdsfo email: pppgusa@gmail.com
May 2025
O virgin mother, daughter of your Son, humble beyond all creatures and more exalted;
predestined turning point of God’s intention;
Your merit so ennobled human nature
that its divine Creator did not scorn to make Himself the creature of His creature.
The Love that was rekindled in Your womb sends for the warmth of the eternal peace
within whose ray this flower has come to bloom.
Here to us, you are the noon and scope of Love revealed;
and among mortal men, the living fountain of eternal hope.
Lady, you are so near God’s reckonings
that who seeks grace and does not first seek you
would have his wish fly upward without wings.
Not only does your sweet benignity flow out to all who beg,
but oftentimes your charity arrives before the plea.
In you is pity, in you munificence, in you the tenderest heart,
in you unites all that creation knows of excellence!
****************
Daily reflections from Franciscan Sources continue from Assisi Compilation nos. 47-56
51 – HE PERSUADES THE BROTHERS TO GO JOYFULLY BEGGING FOR ALMS
1 – When Francis began to have brothers, he was so happy about their conversion and that the Lord had given him good company, that he loved and revered them so much that he did not tell them to go for alms, especially because it seemed to him that they would be ashamed to go.
– Father, bless me with a love that will motivate me to want to journey with Jesus as closely as possible.
2 – Rather, sparing them shame, he himself would go alone for alms every day. His body was worn out by this, especially since in the world he had been a refined man, and of a weak constitution; and he had become weaker from the day when he left the world because of the excessive fasting and suffering he endured.
– Father, bless me with a love to follow Jesus to the point of experiencing poverty and dishonor, as he did, if this be for your greater glory.
3 – He considered that he could not bear so much labor, and that they were called to this, even though they would be ashamed, and did not fully understand; but neither had they been discerning enough to tell him: “We want to go for alms.”
– Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I hold dear.
4 – So he talked to them. “My dearest brothers and sons, don’t be ashamed to go for alms, because the Lord for our sake made Himself poor in this world.
– To be Christian is to be like Christ.
5 – Therefore, because of His example, we have chosen the way of the most genuine poverty and that of His most holy Mother. This is our inheritance, which the Lord Jesus Christ acquired and bequeathed to us and to all who want to live in holy poverty according to His example.”
– What we need is not more Christianity but more Christians who practice it.
6 – And he told them: “I tell you the truth: many of the noblest and wisest of this world will come to this congregation and they will consider it a great honor to go for alms.
– The only tyrant I accept in this world is the still voice within.
7 – Therefore, go for alms confidently with joyful hearts with the blessing of the Lord God. And you ought to go begging more willingly and with more joyful hearts than someone who is offering a hundred silver pieces in exchange for a single penny, since you are offering the love of God to those from whom you seek alms.
– If a person does not keep pace with his companions perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.
8 – Say to them: ‘Give alms to us for the love of the Lord God: compared to this, heaven and earth are nothing!’” They were still few in number so that he could not send them out two by two, so he sent each one separately through the towns and villages.
– To reach the port of heaven we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but we must sail and not drift nor lie in anchor.
9 – When they returned, each one showed blessed Francis the alms he had collected, one saying to the other, “I collected more alms than you!” This gave blessed Francis reason to rejoice, seeing them so happy and cheerful. From then on each of them more willingly asked permission to go for alms.
– It is possible to give without loving, but it is not possible to love without giving.
52 – HE DOES NOT WANT THE BROTHERS TO THINK ABOUT TOMORROW, FOLLOWING THE GOSPEL
10 – At that time, as Blessed Francis was with his brothers whom he had then, he was of such purity that, from the hour the Lord revealed to him that he and his brothers should live according to the form of the holy Gospel, he desired and strove to observe it to the letter.
– Choice, not chance, determines destiny.
11 – Therefore he told the brother who did the cooking for the brothers, that when he wanted the brothers to eat beans, he should not put them in warm water in the evening for the next day, as people usually do. This was so the brothers would observe the words of the holy Gospel: “Do not be concerned about tomorrow.”
– Lord, bless me with the clarity of vision to discern your will for me and the courage of heart to carry it out.
12 – So that brother used to put them in water to soften after the brothers said matins. Because of this, for a long time many brothers observed this in a great many places where they stayed on their own, especially in cities. They did not want to collect or receive more alms than were enough for them for one day.
– Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.
53 – HE EATS GRAPES WITH A SICK BROTHER
13 – One time when blessed Francis was at that same place, a certain brother, a spiritual man, an elder in religion, was staying there. He was very sick and weak. Considering him, blessed Francis was moved to piety toward him. The brothers back then, sick and healthy, with cheerfulness and patience took poverty for abundance.
– Apathy is the glove into which evil slips its hand.
14 – They did not take medicines in their illnesses, but more willingly did what was contrary to the body. Blessed Francis said to himself: “If that brother would eat some ripe grapes early in the morning, I believe it would help him.”
– We are our choices.
15 – One day, therefore, he secretly got up early in the morning, and called that brother and took him into the vineyard which is near that same church. He chose a vine that had grapes that were good and ready for eating. Sitting down with that brother next to the vine, he began to eat some grapes so that the brother would not be ashamed to eat alone, and while they were eating them, that brother praised the Lord God. As long as he lived, he always recalled among the brothers, with great devotion and flowing tears, the mercy the holy father had done to him.
– Who does not stay in his littleness loses his greatness.
54 – A SURPRISING VISIT FROM THE BISHOP OF ASSISI
16 – One time when blessed Francis was at that same place, he stayed at prayer in the cell that was in the back, behind the house. One day while he was staying in it, the bishop of Assisi came to see him.
– Who prays as he ought, will endeavor to live as he prays.
17 – It happened that as he came into the house, he knocked on the door to approach blessed Francis. He opened the door himself, and immediately entered the cell in which there was another small cell made of mats where blessed Francis stayed.
– If it is going to be, it is up to me.
18 – And because he knew that the holy father treated him with friendliness and love, he entered without hesitation, and opened for himself the little cell of mats to see him. As he quickly stuck his head inside the little cell, all of a sudden, by the will of the Lord, because he was not worthy to see him, he was forcefully pushed outside, willy-nilly, stumbling backwards.
– God’s kingdom is within; only by searching within, will I find it.
19 – He immediately came outside the cell, trembling and stunned, and told the brothers his fault, and said he was sorry for coming there that day.
– Fans don’t boo nobodies.
55 – HIS FRIENDSHIP FREES A BROTHER FROM DEPRESSION
20 – There was a certain brother, a spiritual man, an elder in religion, and close to blessed Francis. It happened one time that for many days he suffered the most severe and cruel suggestions of the devil, so that he was almost cast into the depths of despair.
– He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help.
21 – And even though he was tormented daily, he was ashamed to confess it every time. And, because of this, he afflicted himself with fasting, with vigils, with tears, and with beatings. While he was being tormented daily for many days, blessed Francis came to that place by divine guidance.
– With complete truthfulness, everything we have learned through life, everything that has truly enhanced our life and enlightened our experiences has been through affliction and not through happiness.
22 – And when blessed Francis was walking one day not too far from that place with one brother and with the brother who was so tormented, he left the other brother behind and walked with the one who was being tempted. He said to him: “My dearest brother, I wish and tell you that from now on you are not bound to confess these suggestions and intrusions of the devil to anyone.
– Character is a victory, not a gift.
23 – Don’t be afraid, because they have not harmed your soul. But I give you my permission just to say seven Our Father’s as often as you are troubled by these suggestions.”
– Jesus cannot be our Savior unless he is first our Lord.
24 – That brother was overjoyed at what he said to him, that he was not bound to confess those things, especially because, since he would have had to confess daily, he was quite upset, and this was the main reason for his suffering.
– In Jesus Christ, true God and true man rests our hope for real humanity.
25 – He marveled at the holiness of the holy father, how he knew his temptations through the Holy Spirit, since he had not confessed to anyone except priests. And he would frequently switch priests because of shame, since he was ashamed that one priest would know all his weakness and temptation.
– The Lord your God, who is present with you, is a great and awesome God.
26 – From the very moment blessed Francis spoke to him, he was immediately freed both in spirit and body from that great trial which he endured for such a long time. And, through the grace of God and the merits of blessed Francis, he remained in great serenity and peace of soul and body.
– Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children.
56 – HE RECEIVES THE PORTIUNCULA FROM THE ABBOT OF THEMONASTERY OF SAINT BENEDICT; HE TRIES TO DESTROY A HOUSE BUILT THERE; SPECIAL NORMS FOR BROTHERS WHO LIVE THERE
27 – Seeing that the Lord willed to increase the number of brothers, blessed Francis told them: “My dearest brothers and sons, I see that the Lord wants us to increase. Therefore, it seems good and religious to me to obtain from the bishop, or the canons of San Rufino, or from the abbot of the monastery of Saint Benedict, some small and poor little church where the brothers can say their Hours and only have next to it a small and poor little house built of mud and branches where they can sleep and care for their needs.
– The Will of God – Nothing More, Nothing Less.
28 – This place is not suitable, and this house is too small for the brothers to stay in, since it pleases the Lord to increase them, especially because here we do not have a church where the brothers can say their Hours. And, should any brother die, it would not be proper to bury him here or in a church of the secular clergy.”
– Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.
29 – This speech pleased the other brothers. So blessed Francis got up and went to the bishop of Assisi. The same speech he made to the brothers he made to the bishop. “Brother,” the bishop answered him, “I do not have any church that I can give you.”
– We shall steer safely through every storm so long as our heart is right, intention fervent, courage steadfast and our trust is fixed firmly on God.
30 – Then he went to the canons of San Rufino and said the same thing to them. But they gave him the same answer as the bishop. He went, therefore, to the monastery of Saint Benedict on Mount Subasio, and made the same speech to the abbot he had made to the bishop and the canons, informing him also of how the bishop and the canons had responded.
– Prayer does not change God, but changes him who prays.
Alleluia! He is Risen! Alleluia! He is Truly Risen! Alleluia!
Peace and Blessings,
Fr. Francis A. Sariego, O.F.M. Cap.
Regional Spiritual Assistant
Posted By Teresa Redder, on May 4th, 2025 St. Katherine Drexel Regional Fraternity
Regional Spiritual Assistant
St. Francis of Assisi Friary
1901 Prior Road
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
tel: (302) 798-1454 fax: (302) 798-3360 website: skdsfo email: pppgusa@gmail.com
May 2025
Dear Sisters and Brothers in St. Francis,
The Lord give you His peace
and lead you through the mystery of His Passion and Death
to the joy of His Resurrection and our renewed Life in Jesus!
Pope Francis had been a powerful magnet. People from all walks of life were drawn to his familiar and simple approach. He was not afraid of crowds. In fact he sought them out. He felt comfortable among the people. His own faithful in Argentina remembered his riding in Public Transportation, living in a common residence, cooking his own meals, approachable in all ways. True to form, and shocking the whole world, he continued this manner even as Pope. He even bought his own shoes and paid his own bills. (Not far-fetched, but as far as any Pope “pays his own bills”) He was always and truly aware of the happenings that affected the people and also still a determined Jesuit with the heart of the disarmed-hearted-man whose name he chose, Francis of Assisi. He was aware and involved in the political situations that surrounded him. Matters never seem to really change. They affected his people in Argentina and then as Supreme Pontiff matters affected the peoples in every area of the world.
It is unfortunate that many well-meaning Catholics view the Church solely as an entity that must be equal to or stronger than the powers of the world in which it exists. What drives the Church is the grace of God and the Mystery of the Cross we have just celebrated at Easter. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself. (John 12: 32) Referring to His Passion and Death, how can we not see this culminating moment as the epitome of our hopes and dreams, confirmed on Resurrection Sunday?
Have we forgotten? There can be no Resurrection from the dead, unless someone dies! Yet we fail to immediately consider death in the eternal redemptive equation. When death had been spoken of in the written prophecies regarding the Messiah as the true sign the “One Who is to come”, and promised over a millennium, why had so many not accepted him? How could a chosen few decide to eliminate the hope of the people realized and confirmed by their own sacred books? Is it possible that “religious” leaders thought they could impede the Will of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from fulfilling His designs for the redemption of His creation? Senseless people bring destruction upon themselves when they seek to do it “my way” and not God’s way.
To the last few hours of his earthly life, our Holy Father Pope Francis, as it is said “in the process of dying”, refused to leave his people without seeing them one last time and blessing them. Not able to speak or project his voice, he prepared his own sermon for Easter Sunday. He wanted to be driven around the Piazza of St. Peter so that he could greet the people: kiss this child, bless that person, wave and smile at the people for whom and to whom he always showed such love. What a drain it must have been on the last bit of his physical strength.
The Spirit thrived! There was his strength! The Spirit! While at the Loggia above the main entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica, he had his sermon read and then gave his paternal blessing for the Resurrection of Jesus to the City and the World (Urbi et Orbi). This last loving expression in public for him, who truly was the “People’s Pope”, must have filled the hearts of all with joy at the moment but with sad awareness and anticipation of what seemed lay ahead for the Church, and all those for whom he showed such love and understanding.
There must be consistency between word and action for a person to be one of integrity. The “humaneness” of our humanity must look and see beyond. Francis, the shepherd, smelled the sheep and understood. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9: 13) He sought to offer mercy not justice – Who am I to judge. As Pope he knew he was called to render “judgments” on cases or approve “verdicts” rendered by the Church Tribunal, and he often did. Even after death a verdict upheld by Francis will keep an elector from participating in the Conclave. But for the people, whose everyday lives are complicated and conditioned in so many ways, he desired and acted so that they would never doubt the mercy of an ever-loving God, Whose sign of His Love is the sentence of crucifixion so that we might look upon the one they pierced and live (cfr. Zechariah 12: 10; John 19: 24). He was able to enter the mercy of God and offer that to others. Theology and ministry always accompany and complete one another in faith related moments. Nevertheless, if our ministry does not overcome human misery in all its forms, then we have lost the mercy that is of God. Pope Francis sought to express the mercy of God as seen in the Gospels.
The following are excerpts from the Homily at Funeral of our Holy Father Pope Francis. It was written and delivered by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
… Yet, we are sustained by the certainty of faith, which assures us that human existence does not end in the tomb, but in the Father’s house, in a life of happiness that will know no end … his passing from this earth into eternity tells us how much the profound pontificate of Pope Francis touched minds and hearts…The final image we have of him, which will remain etched in our memory, is that of last Sunday, Easter Sunday, when Pope Francis, despite his serious health problems, wanted to give us his blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. He then came down to this square to greet the large crowd gathered for the Easter Mass while riding in the open-top Popemobile…
We are enlightened and guided by the passage of the Gospel, in which the very voice of Christ resounded, asking the first of the apostles: “Peter, do you love me more than these?” Peter’s answer was prompt and sincere: “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!” Jesus then entrusted him with the great mission: “Feed my sheep.” This will be the constant task of Peter and his successors, a service of love in the footsteps of Christ, our Master and Lord, who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45).
Despite his frailty and suffering towards the end, Pope Francis chose to follow this path of self-giving until the last day of his earthly life. He followed in the footsteps of his Lord, the Good Shepherd, who loved his sheep to the point of giving his life for them. And he did so with strength and serenity, close to his flock, the church of God, mindful of the words of Jesus quoted by the Apostle Paul: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
The decision to take the name Francis immediately appeared to indicate the pastoral plan and style on which he wanted to base his pontificate, seeking inspiration from the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi…He maintained his temperament and form of pastoral leadership, and through his resolute personality, immediately made his mark on the governance of the church. He established direct contact with individuals and peoples, eager to be close to everyone, with a marked attention to those in difficulty, giving himself without measure, especially to the marginalized, the least among us. He was a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone. He was also a pope attentive to the signs of the times and what the Holy Spirit was awakening in the church.
With his characteristic vocabulary and language, rich in images and metaphors, he always sought to shed light on the problems of our time with the wisdom of the Gospel. He did so by offering a response guided by the light of faith and encouraging us to live as Christians amid the challenges and contradictions in recent years, which he loved to describe as an “epochal change.” He had great spontaneity and an informal way of addressing everyone, even those far from the church. Rich in human warmth and deeply sensitive to today’s challenges, Pope Francis truly shared the anxieties, sufferings and hopes of this time of globalization. He gave of himself by comforting and encouraging us with a message capable of reaching people’s hearts in a direct and immediate way.
His charisma of welcome and listening, combined with a manner of behavior in keeping with today’s sensitivities, touched hearts and sought to reawaken moral and spiritual sensibilities. Evangelization was the guiding principle of his pontificate. With a clear missionary vision, he spread the joy of the Gospel, which was the title of his first apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium.” It is a joy that fills the hearts of all those who entrust themselves to God with confidence and hope.
The guiding thread of his mission was also the conviction that the church is a home for all, a home with its doors always open. He often used the image of the church as a “field hospital” after a battle in which many were wounded; a church determined to take care of the problems of people and the great anxieties that tear the contemporary world apart; a church capable of bending down to every person, regardless of their beliefs or condition, and healing their wounds.
His gestures and exhortations in favor of refugees and displaced persons are countless. His insistence on working on behalf of the poor was constant.
It is significant that Pope Francis’ first journey was to Lampedusa, an island that symbolizes the tragedy of emigration, with thousands of people drowning at sea. In the same vein was his trip to Lesbos, together with the ecumenical patriarch and the archbishop of Athens, as well as the celebration of a Mass on the border between Mexico and the United States during his journey to Mexico…Of his 47 arduous apostolic journeys, the one to Iraq in 2021, defying every risk, will remain particularly memorable. That difficult apostolic journey was a balm on the open wounds of the Iraqi people, who had suffered so much from the inhuman actions of ISIS. It was also an important trip for interreligious dialogue, another significant dimension of his pastoral work…With his 2024 apostolic journey to four countries in Asia-Oceania, the Pope reached “the most peripheral periphery of the world.”
Pope Francis always placed the Gospel of mercy at the center, repeatedly emphasizing that God never tires of forgiving us. He always forgives whatever the situation might be of the person who asks for forgiveness and returns to the right path…He called for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in order to highlight that mercy is “the heart of the Gospel.”…Mercy and the joy of the Gospel are two key words for Pope Francis.
In contrast to what he called “the culture of waste,” he spoke of the culture of encounter and solidarity. The theme of fraternity ran through his entire pontificate with vibrant tones. In his encyclical letter “Fratelli Tutti,” he wanted to revive a worldwide aspiration to fraternity, because we are all children of the same Father who is in heaven. He often forcefully reminded us that we all belong to the same human family.
In 2019, during his trip to the United Arab Emirates, Pope Francis signed “A Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,” recalling the common fatherhood of God…Addressing men and women throughout the world, in his encyclical letter “Laudato si’” he drew attention to our duties and shared responsibility for our common home, stating, “No one is saved alone.”
Faced with the raging wars of recent years, with their inhuman horrors and countless deaths and destruction, Pope Francis incessantly raised his voice imploring peace and calling for reason and honest negotiation to find possible solutions. War, he said, results in the death of people and the destruction of homes, hospitals and schools. War always leaves the world worse than it was before: It is always a painful and tragic defeat for everyone.
“Build bridges, not walls” was an exhortation he repeated many times, and his service of faith as successor of the Apostle Peter always was linked to the service of humanity in all its dimensions. Spiritually united with all of Christianity, we are here in large numbers to pray for Pope Francis, that God may welcome him into the immensity of his love.
Pope Francis used to conclude his speeches and meetings by saying, “Do not forget to pray for me.”
Dear Pope Francis, we now ask you to pray for us. May you bless the church, bless Rome, and bless the whole world from heaven as you did last Sunday from the balcony of this basilica in a final embrace with all the people of God, but also embrace humanity that seeks the truth with a sincere heart and holds high the torch of hope.
We conclude our reflection together with these words of the Canticle whose centenary we celebrate this year during the Jubilee of Hope. Hope does not disappoint (Romans 5: 5). It was the strength of both St. Francis of Assisi as well as the Pope who took his name, Our Holy Father Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio. May he rest in the peace of the just!
Sister Death is the moment we encounter the warmth of God’s Eternal Love, the fulfillment of all our hopes. Life is Worth Living when we remember the “rest of the story,” and live in the Light and Love of the Crucified and Resurrected Lord Jesus in Whose Name we live and move and have our being (Acts 17: 28).
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.
Peace and Blessings
Fr. Francis A. Sariego, O.F.M. Cap.
Regional Spiritual Assistant
Posted By Teresa Redder, on April 12th, 2025 St. Katherine Drexel Regional Fraternity
Regional Spiritual Assistant
St. Francis of Assisi Friary
1901 Prior Road
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
tel: (302) 798-1454 fax: (302) 798-3360 website: skdsfo email: pppgusa@gmail.com
April 2025
Dear Sisters and Brothers in St. Francis,
The Lord give you His peace
and lead you through the mystery of His Passion and Death
to the joy of His Resurrection and our renewed Life in Jesus!
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire, through whom you give us light in the darkness:
he is bright and lively and strong.
The Canticle was not composed in Francis’ youth, when he cheerfully embraced and cherished the beauty of created things and his freedom to enjoy them. The Canticle most probably was stirring in his soul for many years. Perhaps he may have remembered reading or hearing the story of the three young men who were thrown into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. They fearlessly accepted death rather than blaspheme the God of Israel. Unharmed in the flames, they gratefully praised God for His presence in all creation, even in the midst of the fiery furnace. And, God saved them (Daniel 3:56–57; 62–68; 75–81).
One thing seems certain: the Canticle is the labor of a spiritually mature Francis. He did not compose the song, or at least it was not written down, until he was able to let go completely of all that was separating him from true intimacy with God. This closeness with the Divine came through years of letting go, not just of material things, but of deeper personal attachments: his expectations and assumptions of how things should be, his privilege of social standing even within his Order, and his control over his own body. Francis had to pass through his “fiery furnace”. Shortly before letting go even of earthly life itself, Francis could finally break into singing his Canticle of Creation. Praise be You, My Lord! … even for Sister Bodily Death.
Along with Earth, Water, and Air, Fire is one of the four classical elements. But it’s not just a flickering flame. Fire is a powerful symbol of energy, change, and passion. Imagine it as the spark that lights up your spiritual journey, fueling everything from your deepest desires to your most profound transformations. Even a flicker of light in pitch darkness brings a feeling of hope and subtle joy.
Think about the sun for a moment. That giant ball of fire in the sky is more than just a light source. It is the life-giving and maintaining source God created it to be. Without the sun, we’d all be frozen solid. It’s no wonder many cultures see the sun (and by extension, Fire) as a symbol of life and vitality. Next time you enjoy a sunny day, remember, you’re basking in some serious spiritual Fire energy. Nevertheless, keep always in mind that the Son, the Son of God that is, Whom the leaders of Israel sought to “eclipse” in the mystery they could or would not fathom, was tortured and killed in history, but rose in glory that all might bask in the incandescence of his Eternal Light and Love. The Fire of God’s love enlightens us on the journey empowering us to be “lively and strong”. Francis’ Canticle is a hymn of praise that sees all creation as God’s way to keep us focused on the Creator. It is a Hymn of gratitude for God being God. He is God, Who manifests His limitless Love, Life, and Energy in all that we perceive.
How beautifully sincere does St. Augustine lament the time he wasted running after the things of creation rather than seeking their Creator. Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would not have been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace (Confessions). This “confession” of Augustine’s wasted years before he acknowledged the beauty and power of God always before him, seems taken up by St. Francis in simplicity and awesome wonder and gratitude centuries later.
But, Fire isn’t all light and warmth. Fire is also about destruction and renewal. Just like a forest fire clears out the old to make way for new growth, Fire in spirituality helps us let go of what’s no longer serving us. It’s the force that burns away rubble from the past. We have a clearer vision to be able to rise from the ashes of the past with fresh perspectives and renewed purpose.
Fire has been revered in spiritual practices around the world for millennia. This Lenten Season began with the ashes of burnt palm from the year before. We received a sign made of those ashes in the form of a cross on our foreheads. This was done to set the tone for our journey from Ashes to Palms, to Golgotha and the Empty Tomb, to the Alleluia of awaiting a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21: 1). The ashes created by fire are used to help rekindle our faith. The act of faith becomes an active faith during this Jubilee Year of the Church. We are Pilgrims of Hope rooted in a convinced Faith spurred forward by confident Hope. The ardent Faith alive in us now leads us in the joy of possessing in our hearts what we still do not fully possess in our hands.
Thus, we become bearers/pilgrims of Hope. As beggars we share what we have received with others like ourselves. As spiritual “vagabonds”, as it were, we offer one another some of the charity each has received. We extend to each other the gifts of God’s love.
Faith is the hidden flame of knowledge that leads to Hope, the conscious burning desire that urges us onward to live in Charity, the eternal love of God. Inflamed with His good graces, we cannot help but be an instrument of the Father’s transforming Love. As Pilgrims of Hope we challenge others to hope beyond the enticements and lies of the world, to live in the sure promise of the One Whose Love for all was made manifest on Golgotha. It is Consummated (John 19: 30) are the last words of an agreement made with humanity millennia before and now “signed, sealed, and delivered”. The fire of Eternal Love consumed the Heart of Jesus Whose life sought only to bring humanity to this moment, the consuming power of God’s Love.
Fire, metaphorically or naturally, is an element to be respected with caution. Its powers materially can serve, enhance, purify or destroy. Spiritually, the sign of fire is offered as a sign of the gift of the Holy Spirit Who appeared in form of tongues of fire and rested on the heads of those in the Upper Room after the Resurrection. It calls us to remember the ardor with which we are all expected to “burn” for the Lord at every moment of our lives. As ambassadors for Christ (2Corinthians 5: 20) we bring the flame of faith in our hearts and lives, and seek to enkindle others with a desire to be “aglow” for Christ and thus set the world ablaze (Luke 12: 49).
Fire is a powerful symbol in Scripture. It represents God’s presence, judgment, and even His love. Scripture speaks of Fire from the burning bush that spoke to Moses (cfr. Exodus 3) to Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came as flames resting on the Apostles (Acts 2: 3). Fire manifests the relationship and interaction of God with His people. It can be a source of comfort, purification, or warning. Understanding the meaning of fire presented in the biblical narratives can help us see and understand God’s message to us more clearly.
St. Francis understood the power of fire. He experienced its believed therapeutic value not long before he died. Francis complied with the doctor’s diagnosis and medical treatment. Francis received neither healing nor relief. In the Canticle we note the respect St. Francis had for Brother Fire, who gives light to the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong (Canticle of Brother Sun). The following paragraph is taken from the Desire of the Remembrance of a Soul, by Blessed Thomas of Celano, and it speaks of Francis’ personal encounter and “conversation” with “his Brother”.
A surgeon is called to the place, and when he comes he is carrying an iron instrument for cauterizing. He ordered it to be placed in the fire until it became red hot. But the blessed Father, to comfort the body, which was struck with panic, spoke to the fire: “My brother Fire, your beauty is the envy of all creatures, the Most High created you strong, beautiful and useful. Be gracious to me in this hour; be courteous! For a long time I have loved you in the Lord. I pray the Great Lord who created you to temper now your heat that I may bear your gentle burning.” When the prayer is finished, he makes the sign of the cross over the fire and then remains in place unshaken. The surgeon takes in his hands the red-hot glowing iron. The brothers, overcome by human feeling, run away. The saint joyfully and eagerly offered himself to the iron. The hissing iron sinks into tender flesh, and the burn is extended slowly straight from the ear to the eyebrow. How much pain that burning caused can best be known by the witness of the saint’s words, since it was he that felt it. For when the brothers who had fled return, the father says with a smile: “Oh, you weak souls of little heart; why did you run away? Truly I say to you, I did not feel the fire’s heat, nor any pain in my flesh.” And turning to the doctor, he says: “If the flesh isn’t well cooked, try again!” The doctor who had experienced quite a different reaction in similar situations, exalts this as a divine miracle, saying: “I tell you, brothers; today I have seen wonderful things!” I believe he had returned to primeval innocence, for when he wished, the harshest things grew gentle. (Desire of the Remembrance of a Soul, #166).
Francis had a rather different respect and relationship with creation than most do. He saw all things in God. Every created thing and being was sacred. Everything and everyone was to be treated with reverence, respect, and dignity. God is One and there is no other (Isaiah 45: 5). God’s Love as Creator called existence and life into being, thus everything and everyone, in some way, share in the attributes of God in their own unique manner.
1 – Fire whether physically or spiritually was seen as a sign of God’s Presence. – When we reflect on God’s presence in fire, we remember moments where He showed Himself through flames. Whether it was the burning bush or the fiery pillar guiding the Israelites, fire signifies God’s powerful presence. God still makes Himself known in our lives today, igniting our hearts with His love and guidance.
2 – Fire often was the sign of God’s Purifying Love. – Fire is often associated with purification throughout the Bible. It helps to remove impurities and to refine our faith. God uses fire as a means to prepare us for greater things ahead. The Penitents of Assisi and all other penitents of the time were associated with fire through the ashes that symbolized the passing of all things. Fire purifies so that only the pure element, without dross, would remain, a basic “requisite” for admittance to Heaven. We are reminded of the purifying fire of prayer, penance and almsgiving that “burn away the dross” to render us more “perfect”; and the fire of an obedient will that burns away – in our cases – the self-centeredness of the ego. It accepts “without gloss” to live fully and perfectly the Rule, thus rendering us authentic children of the Poverello.
3 – Fire was thought of as a means by which God made His Judgment known. – Fire often symbolizes judgment in the Bible. It serves as a reminder of God’s righteousness and justice. As we look at these verses, we recognize that God’s flames act not only as a warning but also as a call to repentance and holiness. Fire encourages us to live in alignment with His will to avoid judgment.
4 – Fire is a sign of Spiritual Passion urging us toward the object of our desires. – In our walk with God, fire can also symbolize spiritual passion. It describes the fervent love we have for Him in our hearts. It ignites our mission to spread His Word and the urgency we feel to live out our faith. These verses inspire us to fan the flames of our relationship with God into a magnificent blaze of energy and love.
5 – Fire is a sign of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. – The Holy Spirit’s representation as fire connects to God’s sustenance in our lives. The Spirit ignites our hearts, offers guidance, and strengthens us. These verses highlight the importance of the Holy Spirit’s presence as a consuming fire that enlivens our faith.
6 – God’s Word is a transforming Fire that penetrates the soul and enlivens the person. – The Bible uses fire as a metaphor for God’s Word, depicting its transformative power. Just as fire can refine and purify, so can the Word of God shape our lives. Immersing ourselves in Scripture can spark growth in our faith and understanding of God and His Holy Word and Will.
The journey of faith is not always easy, but with the fire of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit lighting our path, we can grow stronger every day. Continue to seek Him and allow the Fire of His Tremendous Love to inspire us in our daily lives, igniting our passion for God, as we translate that into love for one another.
Fire is more than just a physical phenomenon. It’s a powerful, dynamic force. It penetrates and touches every aspect of our spiritual lives. Whether through transformation, passion, purification, or enlightenment, Fire has the potential to ignite profound changes within us. Nevertheless, Fire, like all elements, must be respected. It’s a force of nature, and sign of our spiritual energy in God, that can be both creative and destructive. Let us channel our spiritual Fire and human energy wisely.
We approach Brother Fire as we do all God’s gifts, with curiosity, respect, reverence, and joy. The spiritual journey ultimately must lead to joy if we are traveling through history in mystery to the glory of union with God. All creation serves to assist us on this journey. The Way of the Cross this season is the road less traveled or desired by so many. Nevertheless, it leads unmistakably to the fulfillment of our ultimate hope, Life with God. Let us fan the flame of an ardent love of Christ that urges us (2Corinthians 5: 14) to follow the Lord Jesus through the Cross to the Light (Pope St. Paul VI: Per Crucem ad Lucem). We move onward, perhaps tripping and even falling along the way.
Empowered with the Fire of God’s Love and our burning desire, like Francis, we praise God Who leads us through ardent prayer, purifying penance, and His passionate love for us to the point of dying on the Cross. The explosion of energy – as we are told by scientists who have studied the Shroud of Turin – imprinting the image of the Crucified on the shroud, reminds us of the “explosion of the eternal flame” of God’s love that imprints the image and likeness of Christ on our souls. The Resurrection is a marvelous reminder that we too, like our Seraphic Father St. Francis of Assisi, are signed in our hearts with His love. We are God’s collaborators who seek to enkindle with the fire of our faith those whose lives have grown cold to the Lord. Transformation and New Life in the Resurrection of Jesus is the gift of His purifying Love for those who surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus when He breathed His last breath saying: Father, Into Your hands I commend my Spirit (Luke 23: 46). by His Spirit let us fraternally and lovingly remember one another in our prayers and especially during the great yearly liturgy of Holy and Easter Weeks. You will all be with me before the Lord in my prayers and liturgies (Masses and Hours). May you and all your loved ones be blessed with the joy of the Risen Lord, the energy of the Holy Spirit, and the loving embrace of the Father Who always keeps His promises.
Easter Peace and Blessings in the Risen Lord
Fr. Francis A. Sariego, OFM Cap
Regional Spiritual Assistant
Alleluia! He is Risen! He is truly Risen! Alleluia!
Posted By Teresa Redder, on April 12th, 2025 St. Katherine Drexel Regional Fraternity
Regional Spiritual Assistant
St. Francis of Assisi Friary
1901 Prior Road
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
tel: (302) 798-1454 fax: (302) 798-3360 website: skdsfo email: pppgusa@gmail.com
April 2025
Wherever we are, in every place,
at every hour, at every time of the day, every day and continually,
let all of us truly and humbly believe, hold in our heart and love, honor, adore, serve,
praise and bless, glorify and exalt, magnify and give thanks
to the Most High and Supreme Eternal God, Trinity and Unity,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Creator of all, Savior of all who believe and hope in Him, and love Him,
Who, without beginning and end, is unchangeable, invisible, indescribable, ineffable,
incomprehensible, unfathomable, blessed, praiseworthy, glorious, exalted,
sublime, most high, gentle, lovable, delightful,
and totally desirable above all else for ever.
Amen.
(Prayer of Saint Francis taken from the Earlier Rule, chapter 23)
Daily reflections from Franciscan Sources continue from Assisi Compilation nos. 47-50
47 – THE BROTHERS AND STUDY
1 – It grieved the blessed Father when brothers sought learning while neglecting virtue, especially if they did not remain in that calling in which they were first called. He said: “Those brothers of mine who are led by curiosity for knowledge will find themselves empty-handed on the day of reckoning.
– Gratitude is a sign of noble souls.
2 – I would prefer that they grow strong in virtue, so that when the times of tribulation arrive they may have the Lord with them in their distress. For, he said, a tribulation is approaching, when books, useful for nothing, shall be thrown into cupboards and closets!”
– God has two dwellings. One is in heaven and the other in a meek and humble heart.
3 – He did not say these things out of dislike for the study of Scriptures, but to draw all of them back from excessive concern for learning, because he preferred that they be good through charity rather than be dilettantes through curiosity. Besides, he could smell in the air that a time was coming, and not too far away, when he knew learning would be an occasion of ruin.
– What we need is people who know God other than by hearsay.
4 – After his death he appeared in a vision to one of the companions who was once tending toward preaching, and he forbade it, commanding him to walk on the way of simplicity.
– People want to know how much you care before they care how much you know.
48 – HE DETESTED LAZINESS AND WANTED ALL THE BROTHERS TO WORK
5 – He used to say that the lukewarm who do not apply themselves constantly to some work, would quickly be vomited out of the Lord’s mouth. No idler could appear in his presence without feeling the sharp bite of his criticism.
– Disciples care more than others think necessary.
6 – This exemplar of every perfection always worked, and worked with his hands, not allowing the great gift of time to go to waste. And so he would often say: “I want all my brothers to work and keep busy, and those who have no skills to learn some so that we may be less of a burden to people, and that in idleness the heart and tongue may not stray.”
– Disciples trust more than others think wise.
7 – But he would not have profit or payment for work left to the whim of the worker, but entrusted it to the guardian or the family.
– Disciples serve more than others think practical.
49 – SAINT FRANCIS AND SAINT DOMINIC ARE GUESTS OF CARDINAL HUGOLINO
8 – Those two bright lights of the world, namely, Saint Francis and Saint Dominic, were once in the City with the Lord of Ostia, who later became Supreme Pontiff. As they took turns pouring out honey-sweet words about the Lord, the bishop finally said to them: “In the early Church the Church’s shepherds were poor, and men of charity, not on fire with greed. Why don’t we make bishops and prelates of your brothers who excel in teaching and example.”
– Disciples expect more than others think possible.
9 – There arose a disagreement between the saints about answering, neither wishing to go first, but rather each deferring to the other. Each urged the other to reply. Each seemed superior to the other, since each was devoted to the other.
– You see things as they are and ask, “Why?” But I dream things that never were and ask, “Why not?”
10 – At last humility conquered Francis as he did not speak first, but it also conquered Dominic, since in speaking first, he humbly obeyed Francis. Blessed Dominic therefore answered the bishop, My lord, my brothers are already raised to a good level, if they will only realize it, and as much as possible I would not allow them to obtain any other appearance of dignity.”
– What are riches compared to skill, wisdom, and understanding?
11 – As this brief response ended, Blessed Francis bowed to the bishop and said: “My lord, my brothers are called ‘lesser’ precisely so they will not presume to become ‘greater.’ They have been called this to teach them to stay down to earth, and to follow the footprints of Christ’s humility, which in the end will exalt them above others in the sight of the saints. If you want them to bear fruit in the Church of God, keep them in the status in which they were called and hold them to it.
– Until we lose ourselves there is no hope of finding ourselves.
12 – Bring them back down to ground level even against their will. Never allow them to rise to become prelates” These were the replies of the saints. When they finished their replies, the Lord of Ostia was greatly edified by the words of both and gave unbounded thanks to God. And as they left that place, blessed Dominic asked Saint Francis to be kind enough to give him the cord he had tied around him.
— Lord, help me to let go of whatever is keeping me from following you.
13 – Francis was slow to do this, refusing out of humility what the other was requesting out of charity. At last the happy devotion of the petitioner won out, and he devoutly put on the gift under his inner tunic. Finally they clasped hands and commended themselves to each other with great sweetness. And so one saint said to the other: “Brother Francis, I wish your Order and mine might become one, so we could share the same form of life in the Church.”
– Those who know others are learned. Those who know themselves are wise.
14 – At last, when they had parted from each other, Saint Dominic said to the many bystanders: “In truth I tell you, the other religious should follow this holy man Francis, as his holiness is so perfect”.
– Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully.
50 – HE EATS WITH A BROTHER WHO CLAIMS HE IS DYING OF HUNGER; AUSTERE WITH HIMSELF, HE WAS COMPASSIONATE WITH OTHERS
15 – One time in the very beginning, that is, at the time when blessed Francis began to have brothers, he was staying with them at Rivo Torto. One night, around midnight, when they were all asleep in their beds, one of the brothers cried out, saying: “I’m dying! I’m dying!”
– To ease another’s heartbreak is to forget one’s own.
16 – Startled and frightened all the brothers woke up. Getting up, blessed Francis said: “Brothers, get up and light a lamp.” After the lamp was lit, blessed Francis said: “Who was it who said, ‘I’m dying?’ ” “I’m the one,” the brother answered. “What’s the matter, brother?” blessed Francis said to him. ‘Why are you dying?”
– To love is to know the sacrifices which eternity exacts from life.
17 – “I’m dying of hunger,” he answered. So that that brother would not be ashamed to eat alone, blessed Francis, a man of great charity and discernment, immediately had the table set and they all ate together with him. This brother, as well as the others, were newly converted to the Lord and afflicted their bodies excessively.
– The only things necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.
18 – After the meal, blessed Francis said to the other brothers: “My brothers, I say that each of you must consider his own constitution, because, although one of you may be sustained with less food than another, I still do not want one who needs more food to try imitating him in this.
– When my spirit soars, my body falls on its knees.
19 – Rather, considering his constitution, he should provide his body with what it needs. Just as we must beware of overindulgence in eating, which harms body and soul, so we must beware of excessive abstinence even more, because the Lord desires mercy and not sacrifice.”
– The face of Christ shows us the one thing we need to know, the character of God.
20 – And he said: “Dearest brothers, great necessity and charity compelled me to do what I did, namely, that out of love for our brother we ate together with him, so he wouldn’t be embarrassed to eat alone. But I tell you in the future I do not wish to act this way because it wouldn’t be religious or decent.
– Who lives for himself is apt to be corrupted by the company he keeps.
21 – Let each one provide his body with what it needs as our poverty will allow. This is what I wish and command you.”
– We are rich in proportion to the number of things we can do without.
22 – The first brothers and those who came after them for a long time mortified their bodies excessively, not only by abstinence in food and drink, but also in vigils, cold, and manual labor.
– Ignore people who try to belittle you, they’re only trying to cut you down to their size.
23 – Next to their skin, those who could get them wore iron rings and breastplates and the roughest hair shirts, which they were even better able to get.
– Serve one another with what every gift each of you has received.
24 – Considering that the brothers could get sick because of this, and in a short time some were already ailing, the holy father therefore commanded in one of the chapters that no brother wear anything next to the skin except the tunic.
– Where love is, there is God also.
25 – We who were with him bear witness to this fact about him: from the time he began to have brothers, and also during his whole lifetime, he was discerning with the brothers, provided that in the matter of food and other things, they did not deviate at any time from the norm of the poverty and decency of our religion, which the early brothers observed.
– There is no security on earth, there is only opportunity.
28 – Nevertheless, even before he had brothers, from the beginning of his conversion and during his whole lifetime, he was severe with his own body, even though from the time of his youth he was a man of a frail and weak constitution, and when he was in the world he could not live without comforts.
– Pray to God, but row to the shore.
29 – One time, perceiving that the brothers had exceeded the norm of poverty and decency in food and in things, he said in a sermon he gave, speaking to a few brothers, who stood for all the brothers: “Don’t the brothers think that my body needs special food?
– Prayers travel more strongly when said in unison.
30 – But because I must be the model and example for all the brothers, I want to use and be content with poor food and things, not fine ones.”
– If you haven’t got charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.
Posted By Teresa Redder, on April 12th, 2025 April 13, 2025
“I am among you as the One who serves.”
On a personal level, this particular Lenten season has been very different because of the Jubilee Year 2025 and its message of hope. As we begin Holy Week, these words of Pope Francis in the papal bull “Spes Non Confudit” urge us to be renewed by the jubilee: “We need to recognize the immense goodness present in our world, lest we be tempted to think ourselves overwhelmed by evil and violence. The signs of the times, which include the yearning of human hearts in need of God’s saving presence, ought to become signs of hope.”
As we celebrate Palm Sunday, we hear the account of the Passion from St. Luke the evangelist, whose version of what happened with Jesus in Jerusalem gives us unique insights about our own call to discipleship.
Last weekend, I attended a Franciscan Regional Visitation at Daylesford Abbey in nearby Paoli, PA. Our three National Franciscan visitors included two Franciscan friars (from Washington, DC, and Pittsburgh, PA) and a lay Secular Franciscan from Louisiana. All of us were inspired by the spirit of welcome and the charism of the Norbertines, 40 canons who live in communal service to the Church and our local community.
When we checked into the retreat house, our welcome folders had an attached prayer card called “Becoming a People of Reconciliation.” One of our National visitors observed that we should pray that prayer twice on Friday before we went to bed. The opening of this prayer is connected to events in the Passion of Christ:
“Dear Lord Jesus, on the night before You died, You prayed for all Your disciples, ‘Father, may they all be one; that the world may believe it was You who sent Me.’ We know that this is the deepest desire of Your heart.”
During our visitation weekend, the Secular Franciscans celebrated the occurrence of multiple overlapping jubilees:
- The 2025 Jubilee year of Hope (2025 years of Christianity);
- the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea that gave us our Nicene Creed;
- the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures written by St. Francis of Assisi;
- the 30th anniversary of the establishment of St. Katharine Drexel Region Secular Franciscans;
- and the 25th anniversary of the canonization of St. Katharine Drexel, our patroness.
The Jubilee Year of Hope invites us to be people who are dedicated to reconciliation, just like the Norbertine prayer. In this weekend’s readings, we not only hear the Prophet Isaiah foretelling the Suffering Servant and St. Paul explaining what kenosis (self-emptying love) is, but we also listen to Jesus telling His followers, including us, that the humility of God is a reconciliation modeled on Him: “I am among you as the One who serves.” Are we ready to follow Christ?
During our Franciscan gathering, we shared insights from the Handbook for Franciscan Servant Leadership, which is based on a model of imitating Christ in serving others (washing of the feet). Passion Sunday helps us to appreciate the vision of Jesus for His Kingdom, which He proclaimed to be present here and now. That is the joyful Good News that we are to go and live in our world! God loves us so much, and we are to be His loving servants to one another.
 Good leadership is responsible for embracing a shared vision of the future, remembering it is meant to inspire the actions of today. As our weekend at Daylesford continued, I found myself wondering what the Norbertine vision was, so I searched their website and found the Vision Statement of the Order of Prémontré, approved at their General Chapter in 2006:
“Drawn by our merciful and Triune God, we are called as baptized to follow the poor and risen, Christ, in a radical and apostolic way of life according to the Gospel, the Rule of Saint Augustine and the charism of Saint Norbert, the founder of our Premonstratensian Order. Our way of life is marked by: a lifelong seeking after God through fraternal community, a never-ending conversion by giving ourselves to the church of our profession in communion with the self-emptying of Christ, in imitation of Mary pondering God’s Word, and in ceaseless prayer and service at the altar. From the choir and altar, we go to serve the human family in a spirit of simplicity, hospitality, reconciliation, and peace for the benefit of the Church and the world, especially where Christ is found among the poor, the suffering, and among those who do not know Him. We pray that what God’s Spirit has begun in us may be made perfect in the day of Christ Jesus.”
As we begin Holy Week, let us take time to contemplate the vision of Christ for His Church, remembering that He emptied Himself for our sake in obedience–even unto death on a Cross! The Norbertine vision is so full of Easter symbols: our baptismal call; fraternal communion; never-ending conversion in communion with the self-emptying of Christ; and ceaseless prayer, just as Mary embraced the Word of God.
Are we willing to serve God with humility and self-emptying? Jesus gave us our inheritance in this Gospel account, so let us decide what we are to do with this treasure that He gave to us:
”I confer a Kingdom on you, just as My Father has conferred one on Me.”
Teresa S. Redder, OFS
Saint Katharine Drexel Regional Minister
Posted By Teresa Redder, on March 22nd, 2025 Solemnity of Saint Joseph, the Universal Patron of the Church – March 19, 2025
Fr. Francis Sariego, OFM Cap (Regional Spiritual Assistant) presided at a Mass at Our Lady of the Angels Convent in Aston, PA, for a rite of profession at St. John Neumann Fraternity on St. Joseph’s feast day. The two candidates who made their professions are:
Barbara A. Brooks, OFS
Mary Purner, OFS
 
May Mary and Barbara find great joy in their shared vocation of Gospel living and may God’s grace abound in their lives of service!
Posted By Teresa Redder, on March 16th, 2025 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
“My brothers and sisters…stand firm in the Lord.”
 Whenever my husband Jeff and I have been on pilgrimages to other countries, we have had the privilege to meet many priests and religious who serve in the foreign missions. When Jesus shared the Good News with His first followers, He expected them to go out to all the world and share what they had seen and heard. In their limited understanding of the world at that time, though, those first disciples were limited by geographical borders that were known mainly by trade routes or conquests. So much of the world was still waiting to be explored!
Why was St. Paul compelled to tell the Philippians to “stand firm in the Lord”? Even in their time, people living ordinary lives in common society had to be reminded that people of faith, whose minds were occupied with earthly things, are citizens of heaven. During our Lenten journey, is our daily prayer helping us to stand firm in the Lord?
During our pilgrimages, the missionaries that we met shared many stories of their compassionate encounters with people in developing countries: education, health care, maternity services, cooperative projects for sustainability, and trauma relief for those who had seen great violence and destruction. In our Lenten experiences, most of us are safe from harm, comfortable with our food, clothing, and shelter, and far away from those who are suffering. A good question to ask ourselves during Lent: How does Catholic social teaching on solidarity shape our almsgiving? Do we hear the cry of the poor when they are suffering?
Before Ash Wednesday, I was on a special Zoom call hosted by the Franciscan Sisters of Philadelphia in Aston, PA. Their guest speaker was a staff member of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), who spoke about the need to continue funding programs that provide care all over the world. After the speaker’s opening remarks, we shared questions and comments. One of the elderly religious sisters (who participated on that call from Africa after midnight!) was a 30-year missionary to Kenya, where she had been working faithfully in AIDS ministry to children. Because of CRS support, she told us with gratitude that they no longer had any children who passed away due to AIDS. She was concerned about what would happen there when their current supplies of medicine are expended and there is no additional funding to obtain medicines.
Motivated by this Zoom call, the Franciscan Sisters’ Care for Creation Committee voted unanimously to focus the community’s Lenten almsgiving on the CRS Rice Bowl project. I visited the CRS website to see what kind of new insights were there for donors to appreciate the challenges better. The CRS Mission Statement resonates with the Gospel’s message of transfiguration:
“Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We are motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching.”
On the CRS home page, I found a special link that was posted on March 5th:
CRS’ Rice Bowl Program Celebrates 50 Years of Global Hunger Reduction | CRS
I can still remember the joy that our family had when our four adult children were growing up to fill the CRS Rice Bowl together during our Lenten journey.
As I thought about the Franciscan sisters, who take a vow of poverty, live in service to others, and made this a special Lenten priority because the need in the world is greater now than ever, I thought about God promising Abram that his descendants would be more numerous than the stars in the heavens. So many centuries later, his descendants (Jewish, Christian, and Muslim) number in the billions and live on five continents! Yet CRS reminds us that we must urgently take care of many of these brothers and sisters who need our compassion and generosity:
“According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, more than 580 million people could be chronically undernourished in 2030 – just five years away – if the trajectory is left unchecked. Elevated hunger levels are quickly becoming the new normal, causing long-term and generational harm to children, families and communities. More than 340 million people around the world are currently facing some level of food insecurity, with nearly 2 million facing catastrophic hunger – primarily in Gaza and Sudan. Many of these food crises involve overlapping issues that increase year after year.”
We can inspire our children and grandchildren to stand firm in our world that is too often preoccupied by earthly distractions by taking less than two minutes to watch this YouTube video about the CRS Rice Bowl’s history:
https://youtu.be/5QoPVNxKEGE
It is so easy to stand firm in solidarity with the poor:
Online: crsricebowl.org/give
Phone: 877-435-7277 (8 AM-11 PM ET) for CRS Rice Bowl
Mail (Please write “CRS Rice Bowl” on memo line of check):
Catholic Relief Services (Attn: CRS Rice Bowl)
P.O. Box 5200
Harlan, IA 51593-0700
May this CRS Prayer shape our Lenten desires:
“Jesus, Bread of Life, as we encounter You in the Eucharist this Lent, nourish us with Your love, unite us in communion with our sisters and brothers, showing us how we are connected. Transform [transfigure] our hearts, that we may be moved to share bread for life with our global family and work for a world where all can thrive. AMEN.”
Teresa S. Redder, OFS
Saint Katharine Drexel Regional Minister
Posted By Teresa Redder, on March 2nd, 2025 St. Katherine Drexel Regional Fraternity
Regional Spiritual Assistant
St. Francis of Assisi Friary
1901 Prior Road
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
tel: (302) 798-1454 fax: (302) 798-3360 website: skdsfo email: pppgusa@gmail.com
March 2025
Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me
true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge, Lord, that I may carry out
Your holy and true command. Amen.
(Prayer of St. Francis before the Crucifix)
(Franciscan Sources Daily thought from Assisi Compilation 37-46,
daily quotes from various sources)
1 – [He used to pierce eyes that are not chaste with this parable. “A powerful] and pious king sent two messengers to his queen, one after the other. The first returned and simply reported her words verbatim. Truly the eyes of the wise man stayed in his head and did not dart elsewhere. The other returned and, after reporting in brief words, launched into a long story about the lady’s beauty. ‘Truly, my lord, I saw a lovely woman; happy is he who enjoys her!’
– When I will what God wills, then I know my heart is right.
2 – And the king said, ‘You evil servant, you cast your shameless eyes on my wife? It is clear that you would like to buy what you inspected so carefully!’ He then called back the first messenger and asked: ‘What did you think of the queen?’ And he answered: ‘I thought very highly of her, for she listened gladly and then replied wisely.’ ‘And don’t you think she’s beautiful?’ the king said. ‘My lord,’ he said, ‘this is for you to see; my job was simply to deliver messages.’
– Lord, enlighten my mind to see my sinfulness.
3 – And the king then pronounced his sentence: ‘You, chaste of eyes, even more chaste in body, stay in my chamber. Let that other man leave my house, so he does not defile my marriage bed.’ ” He used to say: Who would not fear to look at the bride of Christ?
– Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
38 SOMETIMES HE BROKE OUT SINGING IN FRENCH, ENDING IN ECSTASY
4 – Sometimes he used to do this: a sweet melody of the spirit bubbling up inside him would become on the outside a French tune; the thread of a divine whisper which his ears heard secretly would break out in a French song. Other times—as I saw with my own eyes—he would pick up a stick from the ground and put it over his left arm, while holding a bent bow in his right hand, drawing it over the stick as if it were a viola, performing all the right movements, and in French would sing] about God.
– Body of Christ, save me.
5 – All of this dancing often ended in tears, and the cry of joy dissolved into compassion for Christ’s suffering. Then the saint would sigh without stopping and sob without ceasing. Forgetful of lower things he had in hand, he was caught up to heaven.
– Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
39 HIS PRAYER FOR THE ORDER
6 – In order to preserve the virtue of holy humility, a few years after his conversion, at a chapter, he resigned the office of prelate before all the brothers of the religion, saying: “From now on, I am dead to you. But here you have Brother Peter of Catanio; let us all, you and I, obey him.” And bowing down immediately, he promised him obedience and reverence.
– Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
7 – The brothers were weeping, and sorrow drew deep groans from them, as they saw themselves orphaned of such a father. As blessed Francis got up, he joined his hands and, lifting his eyes to heaven, said: “Lord, I give back to You the family which until now You have entrusted to me. Now, sweetest Lord, because of my infirmities, which You know, I can no longer take care of them and I entrust them to the ministers.
– Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
8 – If any brother should perish because of their negligence, or example, or even harsh correction, let them be bound to render an account for it before You, Lord, on the day of judgment.” From that time on, he remained subject until his death, behaving more humbly than any of the others.
– O Good Jesus, hear me.
40 HE REFUSES TO HAVE COMPANIONS CHARGED WITH CARING FOR HIM
9 – Another time he consigned all his companions to his vicar, saying: “I don’t want to seem singular because of this privilege of freedom; any brothers can go with me from place to place ‘as the Lord inspires them.’” And he added: “Why, I have seen a blind man who had no guide for his journey except one little dog.” This indeed was his glory: he gave up any appearance of being singular or important, so that the power of Christ might dwell in him.
– Within Your wounds hide me, Good Jesus.
41 GOOD BROTHERS PUNISH THEMSELVES FOR AN OFFENSE AGAINST CHARITY
10 – He used to affirm that the Lesser Brothers had been sent from the Lord in these last times to show forth examples of light to those wrapped in the darkness of sins. He would say that he was filled with the sweetest fragrance and anointed with strength from precious ointment whenever he heard of the great deeds of holy brothers in faraway lands. It happened that a brother once threw out an insulting word at another brother in the presence of a nobleman of the island of Cyprus.
– Good Jesus, do not allow me to be separated from you.
11 – But when he saw that his brother was rather hurt by the impact of that word, he took some donkey manure and, burning with rage against himself, put it into his mouth to chew, saying: “Let the tongue that spat the poison of anger on my brother now chew manure!”
– Lord Jesus, defend me from the wicked enemy of my soul.
12 – At seeing this, that man was thunder-stuck, and went away greatly edified; from that time on, he put himself and all he had at disposal of the brothers. All the brothers observed this custom without fail: if any of them spoke an upsetting word to another, he would immediately fall to the ground and embrace the feet of the one he had offended, even if unwilling, with holy kisses.
– Good Jesus, at the hour of death call me to Yourself.
13 – The saint rejoiced over such behavior, when he heard the examples of holiness that his sons themselves produced, and he would heap blessings worthy of full acceptance on those brothers, who, by word or deed, led sinners to the love of Christ. Zeal for souls, which filled him completely, made him want his sons to resemble him as a true likeness.
– Grant, good Jesus, that I may praise You with all the saints forever and ever.
42 A DESCRIPTION OF THE GENERAL MINISTER
14 – As he neared the end of his call to the Lord, a brother said to him: “Father, you will pass on, and the family of your followers will be left behind in this vale of tears. Point out someone in the Order, if you know one, on whom your spirit may rest, and on whom the weight of the general ministry may safely be laid.” Saint Francis, drawing a sigh with every word, replied as follows: “Son, I find no one adequate to be the leader of such a varied army, or the shepherd of such a widespread flock. But I would like to paint one for you to show clearly what kind of person the father of this family should be.
– No one can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself.
15 – “He must be a person of very dignified life, of great discernment, and of praiseworthy reputation. He must be without personal favorites, lest by loving some more than others, he create scandal for all. He must be a committed friend of holy prayer, who can distribute some hours for his soul and others for the flock entrusted to him. He must put the sacrament of the Mass first, early in the morning, and with prolonged devotion commend himself and his flock to divine protection.
– My sense of sin is linked to my sense of God.
16 – “After prayer, he must make himself available for all to pick at him, and he should respond to all and provide for all with meekness. He is someone who does not create sordid favoritism toward persons, but will take as much care of the lesser and simple brothers as of the learned and greater ones. Even if he should be allowed to excel in gifts of learning, he should all the more bear in his behavior the image of holy simplicity and nourish this virtue. He should loathe money, the principal corrupter of our profession and perfection. As the head of our [religion, offering himself to others as someone to be imitated, he must never engage in the abuse of using any money pouch.” – The closer I am to God, the more aware I am of my sinfulness.
17 – “For his needs,” he said, “a habit and a little book should be enough for him and, for the brothers’ needs he should have a pen case and seal. He should not be a book collector or too intent on reading, so he does not take away from his duties what he spends on his studies.
– Distance from God reduces the contrast necessary for me to recognize my true condition.
18 – Let him be someone who comforts the afflicted, and the final refuge of the distressed, so that the sickness of despair does not overcome the sick because he did not offer healing remedies. In order to bend rebels to meekness, let him lower himself and let go of some of his rights that he may gain a soul for Christ.
– They are two kinds of people: the righteous who believe themselves sinners, and the rest who believe themselves righteous.
19 – As for runaways from the Order, let him not close the heart of mercy to them, for they are like lost sheep; and he knows how overpowering the temptations can be which can push someone to such a fall.”
– O Lord, reform our world, beginning with me.
20 – “I want all to honor him as standing in Christ’s place, and to be provided for in everything with all the kindness of Christ. He must not enjoy honors, nor delight in approval more than insults. If he should need more substantial food, he should not eat it in secret but in a public place, so that others may be freed from embarrassment at having to provide for their weak bodies.
– Voice of Jesus, you called me when I strayed from You.
21 – It especially pertains to him to discern what is hidden in consciences and to draw out the truth from its hidden veins. Let him never weaken the manly norm of justice, and he must feel such a great office more a burden than an honor. And yet, excessive meekness should not give birth to slackness, nor loose indulgence to a breakdown of discipline, so that, loved by all, he is feared nonetheless, by those who work evil.
– Arms of Jesus, you raised me when I slipped and fell.
22 – I would like him to have companions endowed with honesty, who], with him, [show themselves an example of all good works, strong against difficulties, and yet friendly in the right way, so that they receive all who come to them with holy cheerfulness. There,” he concluded, “the general minister of the Order should be like this”.
– Heart of Jesus, You loved me even when I sin.
43 HE RESPONDS TO A BROTHER ASKING WHY HE ABANDONED GOVERNING THE ORDER
23 – Once a brother asked him why he had renounced the care of all the brothers and turned them over into the hands of others, as if they did not belong to him. He replied: “Son, I love the brothers as I can, but if they would and would not make myself a stranger to them. For, there are some among the prelates who draw them in a different direction, placing before them the examples of the ancients and paying little attention to my warnings. But what they are doing will be seen in the end.”
– The great thing in this world is not where we are, but in what direction we are going.
24 – A short time later, when he was suffering a serious illness, he raised himself up in bed in an angry spirit: “Who are these people? They have snatched out of my hands my religion and that of the brothers. If I go to the general chapter, I’ll show them what is my will.”
– God will not look you over for medals, degrees, or diplomas, but scars
45 HE WAS NOT ASHAMED TO BEG EVEN MEAT FOR SICK BROTHERS
25 – Blessed Francis [was not embarrassed to go through the city’s public places to find some meat for a sick brother. However, he also advised the sick to be patient when things were lacking and not stir up a scandal if everything was not to their satisfaction.
– It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are held accountable.
26 – Because of this he had these words written in one of the Rules: “I beg all my sick brothers that in their illness they do not become angry or upset at the Lord or the brothers. They should not anxiously seek medicines, nor desire too eagerly to free the flesh that is soon to die and is an enemy of the soul.
– Lord, teach me about death, that it may teach me about life.
27 – Let them give thanks for all things and let them desire to be however God wills them to be. For God teaches with the rod of punishments and sicknesses those whom he has destined to eternal life as he himself has said: ‘Those whom I love I correct and chastise.’
– One cannot prepare for death too soon, because one cannot be sure when too soon will be too late.
46 PRAISE OF THE RULE
28 – He burned with great zeal for the common profession and Rule, and endowed those who were zealous about it with a special blessing. He called it their Book of Life, the hope of salvation, the marrow of the Gospel, the way of perfection, the key of Paradise, the pact of an eternal covenant. – Ever notice how everybody wants to go to heaven and nobody wants to die?
29 – He wanted all to have it, all to know it, in all places to let it speak to the inner man, as encouragement in weariness and as a reminder of a sworn oath. He taught them to keep it always before their eyes as a reminder of the life they should lead, and, what is more, that they should die with it.
– Unexpressed gratitude is like winking at someone in the dark, You know how you feel about them, but they don’t.
30 – This teaching was not forgotten by a certain lay brother whom we believe should be venerated among the martyrs, since he gained the palm of glorious victory. When he was taken by the Saracens to his martyrdom, he held the Rule in his uplifted hands, and kneeling humbly, said to his companion: “Dear brother I proclaim myself guilty before the eye’s of Majesty of everything I ever did against this holy Rule!”
– Some complain that God put thorns on roses; others give thanks that God put roses among the thorns.
31 – The stroke of the sword followed this short confession, and with his martyrdom he ended his life, and afterwards shone with signs and wonders. This brother had entered the Order so young that he could hardly bear the Rule’s fasting, yet even as a boy he wore a harness next to his skin. Oh happy child, who began happily to end even happier!
– Gratitude is a sign of noble souls.
Prayer of King Mannasseh
Lord Almighty, God of our ancestors, You made heaven and Earth with all their beauty.
You set limits for creation by Your powerful and glorious Name.
All things stand in awe in Your presence,
because no one can endure the splendor of Your glory.
Your promised mercies are beyond measure and imagination, because You are the highest,
Lord, kind, patient, and merciful, and You care for Your children who suffer.
You, Lord, according to Your gentle grace,
promised forgiveness to those who are sorry for their sins.
In Your great mercy, You allowed sinners to turn from their sins and find salvation.
Lord, God of those who do what is right,
You always offer us chances to change our hearts and lives.
You offer me, the sinner, the chance to change my heart and life.
My sins are many, Lord. I am not worthy to look up, to gaze into heaven.
I bow down before You from deep within my heart, imploring Your kindness.
Forgive me, Lord, forgive me. For You, Lord, are God of those who turn from their sins.
In me You’ll show how kind You are.
Although I’m not worthy, You’ll save me according to Your great mercy.
I will praise You continuously all the days of my life,
because all the hosts of heaven praise You.
The glory is Yours forever and ever. Amen
(adapted abbreviated form of the Penitential Prayer of King Manasseh of Judah,
an apocryphal Scripture found in St. Jerome’s translation)
Posted By Teresa Redder, on March 2nd, 2025 St. Katherine Drexel Regional Fraternity
Regional Spiritual Assistant
St. Francis of Assisi Friary
1901 Prior Road
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
tel: (302) 798-1454 fax: (302) 798-3360 website: skdsfo email: pppgusa@gmail.com
March 2025
Dear Sisters and Brothers in St. Francis,
The Lord grant you His peace.
With Lent already upon us, we have probably determined the “penances” we are going do, the prayers we are going to say (pray?), the charitable acts and donations we budgeted our time and “treasures” to be able to “afford to donate” to those in need. Careful praiseworthy planning leads to an effective charitable demeanor that may be of help to others, but how helpful to us? The question does not doubt the value of both attitudes. The question is how well it truly helps us to grow in the Lord. The attitude and heart underlying the practices is what makes them spiritually effective.
Lent is a time for us to recognize that we have come from “ashes”, or if you will, the dust of the earth. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2: 7). The truth of Genesis offers a reality check that is intended to humble not humiliate. The beauty of the story reminds us that no matter how low our origin, God breathed His own Life into us. We are His creation, called to existence and life in grace. The abuse of the great gift of free will – Original Sin – interferes with this intimacy and thus, through history, challenges us to be and do what is necessary for us to regain the gift. God always loves us. We must respond to God’s Love by seeking to know His Will and striving to live it. The penances, prayers, and acts of charity are the spiritual and practical “tools” we make use of during a lifetime to be restored to the person we were created to be.
Lent is a more intense period in the life of the Church for us to focus on this responsibility. Advent as well, though in a less intense way for most, offers us the same spiritual opportunity. Two penitential seasons each year call us to reflect, repent, repair, and be fully restored in our relationship with God.
We understand this intense yearly journey offered by the Church’s establishment of these two seasons. Taking time each day to see the world and people around us and also the world and people we may never see, and the beauty and awesomeness of God’s Loving Presence and Providence become overwhelming, almost frightening. Oh, we are not frightened of the Goodness of God but of our own stubborn pride that puts humanity into the “mess” life seems to be at times.
The Canticle of the Creatures, we Franciscans are meditating upon this Franciscan Jubilee Year of the Canticle, is the expression of the heart of a penitent, our Seraphic Father St. Francis of Assisi. He never forgot his past. He always was aware of God’s immense love. He bore the signs of God’s loving response to the prayer Francis offered so often: My Lord Jesus Christ, two graces I beg you to grant me before I die: the first is that in my lifetime I may feel, in my soul and in my body, as far as possible, that sorrow which you, tender Jesus, underwent in the hour of your most bitter passion; the second is that I may feel in my heart, as far as possible, that abundance of love with which you, son of God, were inflamed, so as willingly to undergo such a great passion for us sinners. Amen
Only in heaven with God can we ever experience as much as we are capable of experiencing, by God’s grace, the love of which St. Francis speaks. Nevertheless, Francis understood that the Passion-Death of Jesus was the human-divine sign of the extreme love of total self surrender. Through Jesus’ suffering and death, the depth of His love is manifest. St. Francis was willing to experience “death” – death to himself, death to the world and all its allurements – that he might rejoice in Jesus’ Life, Eternal Life with God. Daily dying to ourselves as well, though less recognized or understood by most, helps us to praise, bless, and glorify God in, with, and through life for all God is. Praise be you, my Lord God. Again we see the spirit of the Canticle at this juncture in St. Francis’ life.
His body is deteriorating rapidly. The pain from the Wounds, as years later our brother St. Pio of Pietrelcina would say about his wounds, were not given to him as ornaments. No pain no gain, to put it bluntly. There can be no Resurrection with no death. Francis’ pains and proximity to eternity, help him to view creation from a totally different perspective. The Canticle we are meditating is an example of this.
Having praised God in the mighty signs of the heavens – sun and moon and stars – Francis praises the Wind that is a sign and synbol of the transforming presence of God and empowering “breath” of the Holy Spirit. Having come from the heavens to the winds and air that surround us, Francis now praises another element so necessary for life: Sister Water.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful, and humble, and precious and chaste.
We have several ways to consider the praise of God for Sister Water. We consider water as essential element for the origin of life. We consider the various ways water is useful to humanity and how we learn to respect what it gives and even more what it can do. We consider water from a sacramental as well as liturgical perspective. Sister Water has so much to tell us, if we would only listen to her speaking in the rain, the snow, the rivers, the lakes, the streams, the vastness of the oceans and so much more. Do we take time to really open our eyes to listen? What we see speaks volumes, and loudly. Water is so common that we fail to recognize and value “her” as we should.
The praises that Francis gives to God for the gift of Sister Water really needs no explanation at first. We know that the body cannot live without water. We can live much longer without food than we can without water. Water and other properties is the environment in which a baby lives before he/she is born. Without this fluid there is no life. But there is also another reality that goes beyond this essential truth.
The poet in St. Francis remembers his walks through the hills and mountains. If you have ever seen the source of a spring, or cupped your hands to drink from a mountain spring, unadulterated by the care-less-ness of humanity, you would understand the adjectives Francis uses. They express his respect for the gift of water. They express his awareness of how God speaks to us through creation. In use, misuse or abuse, we reap the harvest of how we treat God’s gifts. God is the source of good. Use what is good badly and the consequences can be devastating.
Praise to you, my Lord, for all your gifts. May we be grateful enough for your goodness to respect and use appropriately all you entrusted to us.
Francis says that Sister Water is humble, precious, and chaste. Just think of Water here as a symbol of our lives each consecrated to the vocation we have received and accepted: humble obedience to God’s Word, precious poverty and detachment, chaste acceptance of the dignity and respect due of all human beings. The crystalline freshness of water at its source is a sign and symbol of the spiritual freshness and transparency of the love of those who surrender themselves totally consecrated to the Will of God: single, married, religious, priest, and so on. For the transparency and freshness of a life consecrated to fulfilling God’s Will, we all are called to listen to one another (obedience), to value the person more than things (poverty) and to respect the dignity of each person (chaste).
Humble – Water surrounds and protects us from the beginning of our existence. It cleanses our bodies, helps in cooking, needed for drinking to stay allive. The water that cleanses helps to heal certain injuries, and helps to avoid contracting some illnesses and diseases. St. Francis was quite aware of the tragedy of leprosy that destroyed lives because of filth and malnutrition, among other things. Water is soothing, refreshing, restores life. Without water you die! Hospitals learned relatively recently in medicine that the washed clean hands of a doctor was the cause of many patients be saved. This is why politicians in developing countries promise to bring clean water and water purifying plants. Even the uneducated in science and medicine know that water can save lives for the reasons given above, and so much more. Water is so humble because it lets itself be used in many versatile ways for the benefit of others who often take it for granted.
Precious – Suffice the few examples above to note how precious water is to life and the well being of people and animals.
Whether minimal moisture or the rains at the proper season, without water, food that sustains the world and keeps animals healthy and alive dies. What can be more precious than this?
St. Francis knew how cutting a water supply to a city was the beginning of its downfall during the city-state wars, in which he also took part. His first-hand knowledge remained more vivid.
Water was not destroyed in Noah’s time. Water was God’s the instrument of His purifying will.
The water creatures continued to live, and the world was submerged (cfr Genesis 6 and 7) until such time as the purification by water had succeeded.
The Waters of the Red Sea that opened for the People of God to pass safely to freedom from slavery, the purifying baths of the High Priests and Levites, the water turned into wine at Cana, the healing waters of Bethesda, and other examples, all point to the sacredness of water as well as its power.
But a word St. Francis uses can be somewhat revealing of deeper thoughts regarding this essential in life. She is chaste.
Chaste – The word itself may be used in various ways. Chaste may mean to be totally itself with nothing extra. It also can meantransparent, clear, pristine, lucid, and more. Nevertheless, praising the transparency and freshness of the waters from on high that refresh the body and give pleasure to the soul, one cannot help but imagine St. Francis seeing St. Clare in this imagery. She truly lived her name. According to Thomas of Celano, Clare was Clara nomine, vita clarior, clarissima moribus (clear by name, brighter by lifestyle, resplendent in character). Clare was Clara in natura, clarior in fama, clarissima in gratia (transparent by nature, brighter by fame, and resplendent in grace). How could St. Francis not have thought of St. Clare whom he and the friars admired and loved as a sister? They often asked her advice and readily sought her prayers and that of the sisters with her.
The Order came from a number of individuals, each with his own story. Clare seeks the solitude of the Gospel Life in the clarity of its basic form, to live Jesus. Consider St. Francis nearing death. His eyesight fails but not his foresight and insight. He recognizes the clarity of soul in Clare. The crystalline water is a reminder of the beauty and freshness of creation unadulterated by human disregard and that of Clare’s beautiful soul.
His soul takes flight thinking of God’s goodness in creating the refreshing gift of water that is also the means of our Re-birth in Baptism. Water is necessary for human life, and it is so also essential for our Spiritual Life. In the waters of Baptism we become children of God blessed to share in the redeeming Blood of Jesus.
The following reflection on the Biblical Meaning of Water: A Deep Dive into Its Spiritual Significance is worth reading for its simplicity and depth. It was posted by Sophia Rose on 02/21/2025
Water is one of the most recurring and powerful symbols in the Bible. It’s everywhere—from the creation story in Genesis to the final vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation. But what does water really mean in a biblical context? Why does it hold such a profound spiritual significance? If you’ve ever wondered about the deeper meaning behind this essential element, you’re in the right place.
Let’s explore the biblical meaning of water together, and by the end, you’ll see it in a whole new light.
Water as a Symbol of Life
When you think of water, what comes to mind? For most of us, it’s the essence of life. Without water, nothing can survive. The Bible echoes this truth. In the very beginning, in Genesis 1:2, we see the Spirit of God hovering over the waters. Water is present even before light, land, or living creatures. It’s the foundation of creation.
In John 4:14, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well, “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Here, water symbolizes eternal life—a gift from God that quenches our deepest spiritual thirst.
Think about it: just as your body needs water to survive, your soul needs the living water of Christ to thrive. It’s a beautiful reminder that God is the source of all life, both physical and spiritual.
Water as a Symbol of Cleansing and Purification
Have you ever felt the need for a fresh start? Water in the Bible often represents cleansing and purification. In the Old Testament, water was used in rituals to purify people and objects. For example, Leviticus 14:8-9 describes how a person cleansed from a skin disease must wash their clothes, bathe in water, and be pronounced clean.
This theme continues in the New Testament with baptism. When John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-17), it wasn’t just a symbolic act—it was a powerful declaration of repentance and new beginnings. Baptism represents the washing away of sin and the start of a new life in Christ.
Even today, when you see water used in baptism, it’s a reminder that God can wash away your past and give you a fresh start. It’s a tangible expression of His grace and forgiveness.
Water as a Symbol of God’s Provision
Have you ever been in a desert—literally or figuratively? In the Bible, water often appears in moments of desperation, symbolizing God’s provision. Take the story of the Israelites in the wilderness. After fleeing Egypt, they found themselves in a barren land with no water. They cried out to Moses, and God provided water from a rock (Exodus 17:6).
This miracle wasn’t just about physical survival; it was a lesson in trust. God was showing His people that He would provide for their needs, even in the most impossible situations. When you feel like you’re in a desert season, remember this story. God can bring water—hope, provision, and relief—even in the driest places of your life.
Water as a Symbol of Chaos and Judgment
While water often symbolizes life and blessing, it can also represent chaos and judgment. In the story of Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6-9), God uses a flood to cleanse the earth of its wickedness. The waters here are both destructive and purifying—a reminder that God is sovereign over all creation.
Similarly, in Revelation 21:1, John sees a vision of a new heaven and a new earth, where “there was no longer any sea.” Some scholars interpret this as the absence of chaos and evil in the new creation. Water, in this context, serves as a reminder that God’s justice will ultimately prevail.
Water as a Symbol of the Holy Spirit
One of the most profound meanings of water in the Bible is its connection to the Holy Spirit. In John 7:37-39, Jesus stands up on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles and declares, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” The Gospel writer explains that Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit.
This imagery is powerful. Just as water sustains life, the Holy Spirit sustains our spiritual lives. He refreshes, renews, and empowers us to live out our faith. When you feel spiritually dry, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you like a flowing river.
To help you visualize the different meanings of water in the Bible, here’s a handy table:
| Symbolism |
Biblical Example |
Key Verse |
| Life |
Creation, Jesus as living water |
John 4:14 |
| Cleansing/Purification |
Baptism, ritual washings |
Matthew 3:13-17 |
| Provision |
Water from the rock, Elijah and the widow |
Exodus 17:6 |
| Chaos/Judgment |
Noah’s flood, parting of the Red Sea |
Genesis 7:11-12 |
| Holy Spirit |
Rivers of living water |
John 7:37-39 |
1.Why is water so important in the Bible? – Water is a universal symbol of life, cleansing, and renewal. In the Bible, it’s used to illustrate spiritual truths, such as God’s provision, the cleansing of sin, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
- What does “living water” mean in the Bible? – “Living water” refers to the spiritual life and refreshment that comes from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It’s a metaphor for eternal life and the transformative power of faith.
- How does baptism relate to the biblical meaning of water? – Baptism uses water as a symbol of repentance, cleansing, and new life in Christ. It represents the washing away of sin and the believer’s identification with Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- What does water from the rock symbolize? – Water from the rock (Exodus 17:6) symbolizes God’s provision and faithfulness. It reminds us that God can meet our needs, even in the most challenging circumstances.
- Why is there no sea in the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1)? – The absence of the sea in the new creation symbolizes the end of chaos, evil, and separation from God. It represents the perfect peace and order of God’s eternal kingdom. (here ends the work of Sophia Rose)
Francis was a man whose whole life was centered on the Word of God in Jesus, the Gospel. The words of the Word Incarnate confect, through the priest, the bread and wine to become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. The waters of Baptism brought us into not only the proximity of friendship with God but also the intimacy of being one with the Son of God Whose very Person becomes one with those who receive Him in the Eucharist. Francis knew the awesome power of water, both physically and above all spiritually. How could he not remember the beauty God manifests, celebrate it in his canticle, and surrender himself to the Great I AM yesterday, today, and always? Through the purity of water, he saw the vastness of the transforming revelation of God and His Word, clarification of our relationship with Him through Christ in the Holy Spirit, and the promise of future glory that is for all who receive the saving waters.
Praise be You, my Lord God, for the freshness of the waters of your grace that cleanses us, refreshes us, and make us whole.
May the Lenten Season be a journey of joy fulfilled in Him with Whom we share the journey from Ashes to Golgotha. As we die with Him to ourselves, may the Easter joy we will celebrate in April be an ever-resounding hymn in our hearts and lives.
Happy Lent to all the Penitents of Assisi.
Peace and Blessings
Fr. Francis A. Sariego, O.F.M. Cap.
Regional Spiritual Assistant
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