St. Jane Frances de Chantel

Jane became a blessing to her husband, Christophe, who had not only inherited the title of baron but enormous debts as well.

 She brought with her a deep faith, a good-heart, and a jovial/funny spirit which helped her a lot in managing the estate.

They were devoted to each other and to their four children.

One way Jane shared her blessings was by giving bread and soup personally to the poor who came to her door.  

Her happiness was shattered when Christophe was killed in a hunting accident.  Before he died, her husband forgave the man who shot him, and so did Jane but with great difficulty. 

These troubles opened her heart to her longing for God and she sought God in prayer and a deepening spiritual life directed by St. Francis de Sales

She died in 1641, at sixty-nine years of age.

The Franciscan Tau

 Wednesday of the Nineteenth week in ordinary time (A)

The origin of the Tau

But do not touch any marked with the “Thau” (Ez 9:1-7)

The Tau is the sign placed upon the foreheads of the poor of Israel, it saves them from extermination.

Saint Francis of Assisi took hold of this sign in a manner so complete and intense that, at the end of his life and through the stigmata impressed in his flesh he became the living image of the Tau that he had so often contemplated, drawn, and especially loved.

We Franciscans receive and put on this tau as a heritage and sign of Christ's love and ours for him. 

Through his intercession, may we be delivered from every harm and danger. Amen

Good morning. Have a nice day

Gerald Nwogueze OFMCap

St. Clare of Assisi, Abbess, foundress of the Order of poor Clare's.

Patron of sore eyes

Clare was a beautiful Italian noblewoman who became the Foundress of an order of nuns now called "Poor Clares." When she heard St. Francis of Assisi preach, her heart burned with a great desire to imitate Francis and to live a poor humble life for Jesus. So one evening, she ran away from home, and in a little chapel outside Assisi, gave herself to God. St. Francis cut off her hair and gave her a rough brown habit to wear, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Her parents tried in every way to make her return home, but Clare would not.

Soon her sister, St. Agnes joined her, as well as other young women who wanted to be brides of Jesus, and live without any money. St. Clare and her sisters wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time. Yet they were very happy, because Our Lord was close to them all the time. Once, He saved them from a great danger in answer to St. Clare's prayer. An army of rough soldiers came to attack Assisi and they planned to raid the convent first. Although very sick, St. Clare had herself carried to the wall and right there, where the enemies could see it, she had the Blessed Sacrament placed. Then on her knees, she begged God to save the Sisters.

"O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect now," she prayed. A voice seemed to answer: "I will keep them always in My care." At the same time a sudden fright struck the attackers and they fled as fast as they could. St. Clare was sick and suffered great pains for many years, but she said that no pain could trouble her. So great was her joy in serving the Lord that she once exclaimed: "They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?" We should remember this miracle of the Blessed Sacrament when in Church. Then we will pray with great Faith to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist: "Save me, O Lord, from every evil - of soul and body." Her feast day is August 11.

Our Holy Father, St. Dominic. Priest, founder of the Order of preachers, friend of St. Francis.

 Feast of Holy Father, St. Dominic, priest, founder of the order of preachers, friend of St. Francis of Assisi. 

-Born in Spain in 1170. 

-The convent for nuns was founded first, to rescue young girls from heresy and crime. Then a company of apostolic men gathered around him, and became the Order of Friar Preachers. Lastly came the Tertiaries, persons of both sexes living in the world.

-Our Lady appeared to him, gave him the Rosary, and bade him go forth and preach. Beads in hand, he revived the courage of the Catholic troops, led them to victory against overwhelming numbers, and finally crushed the heresy. His nights were spent in prayer; His words rescued countless souls, and three times raised the dead to life. At length, on August 6, 1221, at the age of fifty-one, he gave up his soul to God.

Life without a cross...

 Friday of the Eighteenth week in ordinary time (A)

What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? (Mt 16:24-28)

-Jesus invites us to set as priority care for our souls. 

-Remove attachment to die to ourselves daily 

-Courage to defend the faith we profess.

Good morning. Have a nice weekend

-Gerald Nwogueze OFMCap

Sts. Cajetan and Pope St. Sixtus II and companions.

SAINT SIXTUS II was ordained bishop of the Church of Rome in 257.  The following year, while celebrating the sacred liturgy in the cemetery of Saint Callistus, he was arrested by soldiers carrying ut the edict of the Emperor Valerian.  On the same day, August 6, he was put to death along with four deacons.  He was buried in the same cemetery.

SAINT CAJETAN was born at Vicenza in 1480.  He studied law at Padua and after being ordained a priest he founded the Congregation of Clerks Regular at Rome, to foster the Church’s mission.  He extended this congregation into the district of Venice and into the kingdom of Naples.  He was most earnest in prayer and love of neighbor.  He died at Naples in 1547.

Come and Eat

 Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Call to Divine Bouquet

Those who came all ate and were satisfied. All creation look to you, to give them their food in proper season. 

Come let's share in the supper of the Lamb, in the Blessed Sacrament of his love of which nothing can separate our union, not life, death. (Rom 8:35-39)

Come if your heart is longing, come if your soul is thirty, Come, without paying and without cost, to the fountain of life. (Is 55:1-3)

As we respond to his invitation today, may Christ, the good Shepherd who never abandons his hungry sheep, feed and nourish you with his word and sacrament, give you life, truth and way to eternal life.(Mt 14:13-21) All we need is to come, seek the giver, not the gift. 

Good mornng. Happy Sunday

Friar Gerald Nwogueze