DOCSLIB.ORG

November 2016 up To

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
November 2016 up To Up to Now Newsletter of the St. Margaret of Cortona Region of the Secular Franciscan Order Covering the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and portions of West Virginia and Pennsylvania Philippus Philippus, OFMCap Fr. Volume 19 Issue 2 Let us begin again, for up to now we have done nothing. November 2015 Words of Wisdom – Our National Visitations and Regional Chapter t was a brisk cold morning on November 12, 2016, but a difference in an ever changing world. We need to be a at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Crofton, Md., the visible sign to all. We need to be involved in the political Ihall was filled with Franciscan warmth. Fifty-five of arena. our professed sisters and brothers from the St. Margaret “We wear our habit, the TAU Cross, we can blend into soci- of Cortona Region came together for their annual Regional ety, just like yeast, hidden in a mass of dough, and we can Chapter. We were also blessed to have two visitors from Na- quietly make improvements in anything we touch with- tional (NAFRA) Mary Stronach, OFS. and Father Christopher out notice. As Franciscans we can change the outside of Panagoplos, TOR. to conduct our Fraternal Visitation and ourselves; with God’s mercy, transformation has already taken place.” Pastoral Visitation. This event occurs every three years, just as our regional council conducts its visitations. The National Anne Mulqueen spoke of Our Blessed Mother’s Fiat (Mag- visitors assess the life and vitality of the region and provide nificat) and gave us ten examples of Mary’s yes: guidelines for the next three years. 1. Openness to the Spirit The day was busy, with lots of agenda items to cover, 2. Spirit of Spontaneity (Mary Visits Elizabeth) but what stood out most were talks by Mary Stronach, Fr. 3. Spirit of Courage Panagoplos, Anne Mulqueen (Regional Spiritual Assistant 4. Spirit of Joy Delegate, OFM Conv) and Brother Michael Meza (Regional 5. Spirit of Readiness Spiritual Assistant, OFM Cap). 6. Spirit of Humility Mary Stronach, National Visitor, met with the regional 7. Spirit of Adventure council the night before the Chapter and reported to the 8. Spirit of Hospitality local Ministers the following day about how excited she 9. Spirit of Wonder and Awe was about what was happening in our Region. Mary con- 10. Spirit of Thanksgiving veyed to those in attendance that what we had shared with her and what she has learned about St. Margaret of (See “Chapter” on p. 6) Cortona Region has greatly enriched her as a person. In This Issue. Mary talked about the struggles many local fraternities experience: they are the same at the Regional, National Regional Minister’s Message ....................................... 2 and International level, and we were encouraged. We Websites of Interest .....................................................2 were asked to consider and share the vision, the charism Regional Formation Director’s Message ....................... 3 and mission of the Secular Franciscan Order. It starts with Spiritual Assistant’s Message ......................................4 each one of us. Mary quoted the saying, “We are only as Within the Word: Awash in God’s Mercy .................. 5 strong as our weakest link,” so it starts with each of us Mark Your Calendar ..................................................... 5 to be strong, to support our Order as much as possible, Pray the Rule ..............................................................6 whether at the local, regional, national or international Photos from Regional Chapter ......................................7 level. Franciscan Mission Service .......................................... 8 Our National Pastoral Visitor, Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, Formation Directors Workshop .....................................9 shared with us, as Franciscans, the need to be more in- Around the Region ..................................................... 10 volved in what is happening in our country, be a more Beatification of Eight Friars Minor ............................... 12 powerful voice for the marginalized. Father offered sev- What Are We Doing? ....................................................13 eral examples of how we as Secular Franciscans can make Franciscan Saints and Blesseds .................................. 14 Regional Minister’s Message Six days after returning from the national chapter, we began our annual regional chapter. FOUR FRATERNITIES Ministers or their representatives from 26 of Our former regional and our 33 fraternities attended, and, ironically, national minister, the it was our region’s triennial national visitation. late Tom Bello, would Mary Stronach, our national executive council’s always remind me that we international councilor, and Fr. Christopher are all members of four Panagoplos, OFM TOR, a national spiritual fraternities. There is, of assistant, conducted the fraternal and pastoral course, our local fraternity, visitation. what our Rule calls “the basic unit of the whole I love attending my fraternity meetings. I find Order and a visible sign of Francis and Clare, and their charism, in the the Church, the community faces and words of the sisters and brothers of love.” (22) of Saint Anthony of Nagasaki Fraternity. I am sure that you do as well, when you attend your But our Rule also says, “The Secular Franciscan fraternity meetings. But sometimes, I forget Order is divided into fraternities of various levels that I am part of a larger community. The Secular – local, regional, national, and international. Each Franciscan Order is truly a self-governing Order one has its own moral personality in the Church. of the Church, as I witnessed at the national These various fraternities are coordinated and and regional chapters. Our first Rule, Memoriale united according to the norm of this rule and of Propositi, was approved in 1221. Our current Rule the constitutions.”(20) was approved in 1978 by Blessed Pope Paul VI. We are members of ALL four fraternities, and While sometimes our fraternities might feel like this reality was brought home this month. As a parish organization, or a devotional group, or your regional minister, I was one of 30 regional “just another club,” remember that each of us ministers who attended the annual national chapter made a permanent profession to this Rule, and at San Pedro Retreat Center in Orlando, Florida. our Rule’s interpretation “belongs to the Holy See In addition to prayer, formation, social time, and its application will be made by the General and a little business (Tom’s description of what Constitutions and particular statutes.” (3) Our every fraternity meeting should be, in order of international fraternity, national fraternity, importance), the chapter included the triennial regional fraternity and local fraternity are bonded international visitation. Chelito Nunez, the Vice together by these documents and our shared Minister General of our Order (from Venezuela), Franciscan charism. and Father Francis Dor, OFM Cap, a General On page 6, there is a copy of “Pray the Rule,” a way Spiritual Assistant (from Cameroon), conducted to remind us through prayer of our commitment a fraternal and pastoral visitation to the national to our Rule and the way of life to which it calls us. fraternity of the United States. Kathleen White, the regional minister of Our Lady There are 110 countries with a Secular Franciscan of Indiana region, and the keeper of the “TAU presence. Our international executive council Daily” listserv, recently shared this with us. I hope (called the CIOFS Presidency; CIOFS stands that our fraternities will take the opportunity to for “Consilium Internationale Ordo Franciscanus incorporate this prayer into their regular prayer Secularis”) is, as you can imagine, quite busy with life. visitations, elections, and the other business of an Patrick Martin Order of the Church. Regional Minister Websites of Interest Where Moses Saw the Holy Land http://catholicregister.org/home/international/ The Right to Religious Freedom item/23396-memorial-marking-where-moses-saw- The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops promised-land-reopens-in-jordan?platform=hootsuite released this powerful video explaining and defending Thank you, John Clem the right of all people to freedom of religion. https:// www.catholicvote.org/video-the-right-to-religious- freedom/#prettyPhoto Thank you, Bob Longo Volume 20, Issue 2 November 2016 Page 2 Regional Formation Director’s Message Dear Brothers and Sisters of Christ! Peace be with you! From time to time, we need to ask ourselves, “How am I serving God, my family, my neighbor, my fraternity? Do I I want to thank all those who attended the Formation Di- put God first by making time to commune with Him and by rectors Workshop at Loyola Retreat House October 14-16. obeying His holy precepts?” Your presence was a blessing to everyone in the Region. For those who were unable to attend, flash drives will be Brothers and Sisters, we cannot share the love of some- given out; one per fraternity, at the Regional Chapter on one we do not know with others. And we cannot claim to November 12. The flash drives contain helpful informa- know someone if we do not spend time with them. The tion, that can be downloaded and revised to suit each same is true with Christ. fraternity’s needs. You may also print out the materials I would like to close my letter to you with a story from the contained on them to use in a binder for reference or to book The Little Flowers of Saint Francis. It is a reminder give to those in formation. The events of that weekend are for us to pray for our beloved dead during this month of highlighted in another article on page 9. November. Therefore, while performing corporal works of As your formation director for the Region, I highly encour- mercy, let us not forget our obligation to perform spiritual age you to take the time to study our Rule, the Constitu- ones as well. tions, and the Catholic Catechism. If you are able to at- “Once while Brother John of LaVerna was saying Mass, on tend daily Mass, that is an added blessing.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • August 2018 up To
    Up to Now Newsletter of the St. Margaret of Cortona Region of the Secular Franciscan Order Covering the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and portions of West Virginia and Pennsylvania Philippus Philippus, OFMCap Fr. Volume 22 Issue 1 Let us begin again, for up to now we have done nothing. August 2018 2018 Chapter of Mats Regional Council bout 70 Secular Franciscans gathered at Priest- St. Margaret of Cortona Region field Retreat Center the first weekend of July to par- Minister: Regional Spiritual Assistant: ticipate in The Chapter of Mats which is held every Bob Longo, OFS Fr. Charley Miller, OFM A Vice Minister: Regional Spiritual Assistant: three years. The main focus of the chapter was reflecting and Michael Huether, OFS Br. Matthew Hindelang, OFM Cap praying the Secular Franciscan Rule on its 40th anniversary. Secretary: Regional Spiritual Assistant: Participants included those preparing for profession, those Peggy Gregory, OFS Fr. Kevin Treston, OFM Holy Land Treasurer: Regional Spiritual Assistant: professed for a few years and those professed for more than Peter Noyes, OFS Fr. Kevin Queally, TOR 40 years. Formation Director: Regional Spiritual Assistant: Monica Zevallos, OFS Anne Mulqueen, OFS Patrick Martin led those gathered in liturgical prayer Regional Councilor (MD/PA): (OFM Conv delegated) from various sources each morning and evening in ad- Peggy Nicholson, OFS Regional Youth and Young dition to traditional Liturgy of the Hours. The first pre- Regional Councilor (VA): Adult Commission Chair: sentation was a video by Father Richard Trezza, OFM, on Rita Colleran, OFS Harry Ford, OFS the meaning of profession Regional Councilor (MD/DE): Regional JPIC Chair: https://www.youtube.com/ Gil Donahue, OFS watch?v=tZgowg5egpU.
    [Show full text]
  • The Joy of Francis
    The Joy of Francis Together for the Gospel! Summer/Fall, 2006 - Vol. 14, No. 2 In This Issue To my Franciscan Family Page A Letter From Rome Page 2 Something to Think About Page 3 Combined Profession Page 3 Canonical Establishment of San Canonical establishment of the SFO Fraternity of San Lorenzo Ruiz. Lorenzo Ruiz Fraternity Page 4 For the full article see page 4. Racism, Poverty and War Page 6 Miracle of Fr. William Page 7 To my Franciscan Family: Local Fraternity News Page 8 by Rock DeSpain, Regional Minister A Culture of Peace Page 0 Fr. Steve we will miss you……… it was clear to me that I had Franciscans Welcome the In 1992, when I was serving our professed to Stranger Page 11 Order for the first time as the something I Franciscan Youth and Young Treasurer of St. Francis and St. Clare did not know well. So, I promised Adults Page 2 Fraternity in Hemet, I met Fr. Steve myself that I would take the time to Steubenville West Page 3 Gross OFM Conv. He soon became study, roll up my sleeves and become our Spiritual Assistant. It was during a Franciscan. In 1995, I was elected Letter from FI Page 3 these 2 ½ years that I learned how Minister of our fraternity and right Calendar of Saints Page 4 much I still had to learn about our after that. He left us. I am still not Order. His knowledge about the SFO sure if it was me or the obedience to Regional Directory Page 5 and his approach to our fraternity his Order.
    [Show full text]
  • The Rule of Ten Virtues of the B.V.M.” Historical Brief
    The Genesis of “The Rule of Ten Virtues of the B.V.M.” Historical Brief Br. Andrew R. Mączyński, MIC Author The Rule of the Ten Virtues of the Most B.V.M., or the Rule of the Ten Pleasures of the Most B.V.M. (Regula Decem Beneplacitorum Beatissimae Virginis Mariae), is one of the few religious rules approved in spite of the decree issued by the IV Lateran Council in 1215. This decree forbade the approval of the newly founded religious orders on any other than one of the previously approved rules. The Rule was composed by a Franciscan, Fr. Gilbert Nicolas, better known as Gabriel Maria, the name he received from Pope Leo X by his brief (breve) of June 11, 1517. By this act, the Pope wished to emphasize the special devotion that Fr. Gilbert had for the mystery of the Annunciation of the B.V.M. Gilbert Nicolas, who also appears in history under the name of Johanes Molezius, was born around 1460 in Riom in the Province of Auvergne, France. Influenced as a 16-year old youth by a sermon by a certain Franciscan preacher on the topic of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M., he discerned his vocation to the religious life. In 1475, in Lafond, near La Rochelle, he joined the Franciscans of the Strict Observance. After completing his novitiate and pronouncing his religious vows, he was sent to the monastery in Amboise in order to continue his education that concluded at his priestly ordination and taking the post of a lector of theology.
    [Show full text]
  • FIRST JOY - the ANNUNCIATION - the GIFT of FORTITUDE Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-36
    Fr. Thomas Bourque, T.O.R., Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Province, Loretto, PA, has provided the following instruction and meditations on the Franciscan Crown, entitled , A JOURNEY OF FAITH: THE SEVEN JOYS OF MARY. The Franciscan Crown consists of seven decades of Hail Mary's, each preceded by an Our Father and followed by a Glory Be. It recalls the seven joys of Mary and how she responded to the grace of God in her life. The Crown begins with the sign of the cross which is then followed by seven decades, each consisting of one Our Father, ten Hail Mary's and one Glory Be. At the end of the seven decades, there are two additional Hail Mary's, in honor of the 72 years that Our Lady is said to have lived on earth. The Crown is concluded by praying one Our Father and one Hail Mary for the intentions of the Pope. As the joys of the Franciscan Crown are pondered, one is invited to listen to the Word of God and to be open to the gift of the Holy Spirit. The reflection studies each of the joys of Mary by beginning with one's openness to SCRIPTURE. For each joy, a gift of the Holy Spirit has been given for study and reflection. These seven gifts challenge each individual to live a graced-filled and moral life. They allow one to reflect on the grace and strength Mary had in responding to her call and relationship with God. The reflection offers questions for meditation and ends with a prayer taken from the prayer of the Church.
    [Show full text]
  • Franciscan Saints, Blesseds, and Feasts (To Navigate to a Page, Press Ctrl+Shift+N and Then Type Page Number)
    Franciscan Saints, Blesseds, and Feasts (to navigate to a page, press Ctrl+Shift+N and then type page number) Saints St. Francis de Sales, January 29 ................................................ 3 St. Agnes of Assisi, November 19 ..........................................29 St. Francis Mary of Camporosso, September 20 ................24 St. Agnes of Prague, March 2 ...................................................6 St. Francis of Paola, April 2 ........................................................9 St. Albert Chmielowski, June 17 ............................................. 16 St. Francisco Solano, July 14 .....................................................19 St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception, July 28........20 St. Giles Mary of St. Joseph, February 7 ................................4 St. Amato Ronconi, May 8 .......................................................12 St. Giovanni of Triora, February 7 ............................................4 St. Angela Merici, January 27 ................................................... 3 St. Gregory Grassi, July 8 ........................................................ 18 St. Angela of Foligno, January 7 ................................................1 St. Hermine Grivot, July 8 ....................................................... 18 St. Angelo of Acri, October 30 .............................................. 27 St. Humilis of Bisignano, November 25 .................................30 St. Anthony of Padua, June 13 ................................................ 16 St.
    [Show full text]
  • The Franciscan Crown in 1422, an Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary Took Place in Assisi, to a Certain 7
    History of the Franciscan Crown In 1422, an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary took place in Assisi, to a certain 7. Assumption & Coronation Franciscan novice, named James. As a child he had a custom of daily offering a crown Vision of Friar James of roses to our Blessed Mother. When he entered the Friar Minor, he became distressed that he would no longer be able to offer this type of gift. He considered leaving when our Lady appeared to him to give him comfort and showed him another daily offering he could do. Our Lady said : “In place of the flowers that soon wither and cannot always be found, you can weave for me a crown from the flowers of your prayers … Recite one Our Father and ten How to Pray the Franciscan Crown Hail Marys while recalling the Seven Joys I experienced.” Begin with the Sign of the Cross (no creed Friar James began at once to pray as directed. or opening prayers) Meanwhile, the novice master entered and 1. Announce the first Mystery, then pray saw an angel weaving a wreath of roses and one Our Father (no Glory Be). after every tenth rose, the angel, inserted a THE 2. Pray Ten Hail Mary’s while meditating golden lily. When the wreath was finished, FRANCISCAN on the Mystery. he placed it on Friar James’ head. The novice 3. Announce second Mystery and repeat master commanded the youth to tell him CROWN one and two through the seven decades. what he had been doing; and Friar James 4.
    [Show full text]
  • August 12, 2018
    Our Cluster School 305 Fredonia Ave., P.O. Box 250 Fredonia, WI 53021 305 Fredonia Ave., P.O. Box 250 (262) 692 -9994 Fredonia, WI 53021 230 Butler St. [email protected] (262) 692 -2141 Random Lake, WI 53075 divinesavior.weconnect.com [email protected] (920) 994 -4380 divinesavior.weconnect.com/school [email protected] ourladylakes.org August 12, 2018 For a complete list of contact numbers for our parish and school staff members, as well as lay parish leaders, Mass and Reconciliation times, please go to page 6. Parish Membership: To receive the full benefits of our parish community, we invite you to register as parish members by contacting the Parish Office during office hours. Baptisms are celebrated on the third weekend of each month. Parents must attend a catechetical preparation class prior to baptism. Contact your Parish Office for information. Marriage: Either the Bride or Groom must be a registered member at one of our parishes. Contact your Parish Office at least six months prior to the wedding date. RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults): If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the process of becoming Catholic, contact Deb Hamm. Bulletin Announcements must be in writing and brought to the Parish Office or emailed to [email protected] before Noon on Monday . Mass Announcements must be in the Parish Office by Noon on Thursday to be included at that weekend ’s Mass. Emergency Calls: Call your Parish Office. If you need emergency assistance when Visitors at our chapels from other Catholic Parishes in Ozaukee and either office is closed, contact Sheboygan Counties are welcome to put their parish envelope in our collection Deb Hamm at (262) 488 -4542.
    [Show full text]
  • History of the Franciscan Movement
    HISTORY OF THE FRANCISCAN MOVEMENT Volume 2 FROM THE YEAR 1517 TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL On-line course in Franciscan History at Washington Theological Union Washington DC By Noel Muscat OFM Jerusalem 2008 History of the Franciscan Movement. Volume 2: From 1517 to the Second Vatican Council Chapter 10 NEW REFORMS AND NEW DIVISIONS: THE BIRTH OF THE CAPUCHINS AND REFORMS WITHIN THE OBSERVANCE The friars “of the Holy Gospel” The Order of Friars Minor of the Regular Observance, after the union of all the reformed families in 1517, became a powerful religious family dedicated mainly to apostolic missions. A minority of friars, however, continued to insist upon living a simpler Franciscan life in the hermitages. Besides the Amadeiti and Coletani, there were other congregations which preferred eremitical life, like the Clareni and the friars “of the Holy Gospel” or Capuciati. This last religious family was one which the Bulla Ite vos of Leo X (1517) had not managed to integrate within the Order of the Friars Minor of the Regular Observance. They were born, as we have already seen, with the initiative of Juan de la Puebla, who had made an experience of Franciscan life in the Umbrian hermitages of central Italy, and then had returned to Spain, founding a congregation of friars who lived the literal observance of the Rule in the hermitages. Among his followers there was Juan de Guadalupe, who in 1508 obtained the approval of the Province “of the Holy Gospel”.1 The negative reaction of the Spanish Observants, who persecuted the new religious family, compelled the brothers of the Custody of Estremadura to place themselves under the obedience of the Conventuals in 1515, and thus became to be known by the name of “Reformed Conventuals”.2 They wore a short tunic with a pyramidal hood, and hence also the name Capuciati.
    [Show full text]
  • Charisma, Medieval and Modern
    Charisma, Medieval and Modern Edited by Peter Iver Kaufman and Gary Dickson Printed Edition of the Special Issue Published in Religions www.mdpi.com/journal/religions Peter Iver Kaufman and Gary Dickson (Eds.) Charisma, Medieval and Modern This book is a reprint of the special issue that appeared in the online open access journal Religions (ISSN 2077-1444) in 2012 (available at: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/religions/special_issues/charisma_medieval). Guest Editors Peter Iver Kaufman Jepson School, University of Richmond Richmond, VA, USA Gary Dickson School of History, Classics, and Archaeology, University of Edinburgh Edinburgh, EH, Scotland, UK Editorial Office MDPI AG Klybeckstrasse 64 Basel, Switzerland Publisher Shu-Kun Lin Production Editor Jeremiah R. Zhang 1. Edition 2014 0'3,%DVHO%HLMLQJ ISBN 978-3-03842-007-1 © 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. All articles in this volume are Open Access distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), which allows users to download, copy and build upon published articles even for commercial purposes, as long as the author and publisher are properly credited, which ensures maximum dissemination and a wider impact of our publications. However, the dissemination and distribution of copies of this book as a whole is restricted to MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. III Table of Contents List of Contributors ............................................................................................................... V Preface
    [Show full text]
  • T the XXIII News
    T The XXIII News St. John XXIII, OFS fraternity Secular Franciscan Order ~USA January 2018 OUR MISSION STATEMENT We are Secular Franciscans living in the world and sharing our Franciscan Charism by “going from gospel to life, and life to the gospel”, by following Jesus Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare; and by following our Rule we strive to build up the Kingdom of God in our lifetimes by our prayers, apostolic works and fraternal community. January Gatherings February Gatherings January 14 – Fraternity Meeting, 1:00pm – February 11 – Fraternity Meeting, 1:00pm – 3:30pm. Ambrose Hall, room #4. 3:30pm. Ambrose Hall, room #4. Gospel Sharing – Tim Taormina Gospel Sharing – Mitzi Speranzella Formation – On Care for Our Common Home, Formation – On Care for Our Common Home, Articles 62-75. Reading and discussion. Articles 76-88. Reading and discussion. Snacks – Tom; Fruit – Marianne; Drinks – John Snacks – Kay; Fruit – Trudy; Drinks – Colette January III Order Feasts Fraternity Prayer List 1. Mary, Mother of God We pray for: those who are suffering in this cold; 3. Most Holy Name of Jesus new life in all circumstances; 3. Joan Marcantelli’s Profession, 2004 ALL refugees/immigrants as they search for homes; 4. Lori Hinker’s birthday basic human rights of shelter, food & water for all; 7. St. Angela of Foligno, III Ord. the unemployed and under-employed; 8. Bl. Eurosia Fabris, III Order Queen of Peace Region and CIOFS; 20. Joe & Mitzi Speranzella’s Profession, 2002 those fraternities who are struggling; 24. St. Francis de Sales, III Ord. the Franciscan Family and all of her branches; 27.
    [Show full text]
  • A Man Named Martin Part 1: the Man Session One Session
    A Man Named Martin Part 1: The Man Session One Comprehensive Reformation Website: Concordia Seminary (St. Louis) has developed a great website on the Reformation. Luther's Formative Years: In this Concordia Theological Monthly article (April 1946), E. G. Schweibert offers a fascinating account of Luther’s formative years, up through his completion of elementary school. The Plague: This article describes the cause, transmission and symptoms of the plague that killed two of Luther’s colleagues at Erfurt. Observant Augustinians: The monastic movement called the Order of Saint Augustine traced its founding to Saint Augustine (d. 430). Before Luther’s time an observant movement started among the Augustinians to focus on increased spirituality. Welcome to a Day in the Life of a Monk: Experience a day in the life of a monk, from his early rising, to his praying, labor, and the overall austerity that marks a man’s monastic decision. Session Two In the Monastery The Flagellants: This fanatical and heretical sect took self-flagellation to an extreme 200 years before Luther’s time; their activities help explain the purposes of self-flagellation among monks like Luther. Of the Awful Judgment: For Awakening Fear in Oneself: Centuries before Luther, St. Anselm wrote about sin and righteousness. His meditations on the depth of our sinfulness help explain why Luther’s monastic period made his feelings of guilt and unworthiness increase. Johann von Staupitz: This is a biographical sketch of Luther’s Augustinian supervisor. Luther’s Trip to Rome Rome and Romans - - Martin Luther: This writing by Pastor Tom Browning certainly carries a Presbyterian bent, but its focus on historical detail helps explain the backdrop and particulars of Luther’s first trip to Rome, which greatly discouraged him.
    [Show full text]
  • The Franciscan Crown a Crown of Prayers
    The Franciscan Crown A crown of prayers This is a joyous devotion which can be traced back to the early 15th century. A young man, who would weave a crown of wild flowers to grace a statue of Our Lady entered the Franciscan Order. As a novice he could no longer follow this beautiful, personal devotion. One evening, while considering abandoning his vocation, he received a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mother encouraged him to persevere, reminding him of the joyfulness of the Franciscan spirit. She instructed him to meditate daily on seven joyful events from her own life as a new form of the rosary. Instead of a crown of flowers, the novice would now weave a crown of prayers. Before long, many other Franciscans began to pray the Crown and soon it spread to the entire Order, becoming officially established in 1422. The Crown recalls the seven joys of Mary and how she responded to the grace of God in her life. It begins with the sign of the cross which is then followed by seven decades, each consisting of one Our Father, ten Hail Mary's and one Glory Be. At the end of the seven decades, there are two additional Hail Mary's, bringing the total of Hail Mary's to 72, the years of her life. THE SEVEN JOYS The Annunciation. The Visitation. The Birth of Our Lord Jesus. The Adoration of the Magi. The Finding of The child Jesus in the Temple. The Appearance of Christ to Mary after The Resurrection.
    [Show full text]