Saint of the Day (Thursday, March 31, 2016)-St. Stephen of Mar Saba

St. Stephen of Mar Saba Thursday, March 31, 2016 Lived(d. 794) | Feast Day: Thursday, March 31, 2016
A "do not disturb" sign helped today's saint find holiness and peace. Stephen of Mar Saba was the nephew of St. John Damascene, who introduced the young boy to monastic life beginning at age 10. When he reached 24, Stephen served the community in a variety of ways, including guest master. After some time he asked permission to live a hermit's life. The answer from the abbot was yes and no: Stephen could follow his preferred lifestyle during the week, but on weekends he was to offer his skills as a counselor. Stephen placed a note on the door of his cell: "Forgive me, Fathers, in the name of the Lord, but please do not disturb me except on Saturdays and Sundays." Despite his calling to prayer and quiet, Stephen displayed uncanny skills with people and was a valued spiritual guide. His biographer and disciple wrote about Stephen: "Whatever help, spiritual or material, he was asked to give, he gave. He received and honored all with the same kindness. He possessed nothing and lacked nothing. In total poverty he possessed all things." Stephen died in 794. Click here for a printer friendly version
About • Contact • Blog • Catalog
This email was sent to visioner.shop.wisdom@blogger.com Franciscan Media | 28 W. Liberty St. | Cincinnati, OH 45202 ©2016 Franciscan Media. All Rights Reserved. Unsubscribe | Update Preferences

Minute Meditations-Inbox Edition(Thursday, March 31, 2016)

Feeling Overwhelmed Sisterhood of Saints
Do not be frightened at seeing the greatness of the aim proposed…those who love do not feel the burden. -St. Magdalene of Canossa -from Sisterhood of Saints
About • Contact • Blog • Catalog
This email was sent to visioner.shop.wisdom@blogger.com Franciscan Media | 28 W. Liberty St. | Cincinnati, OH 45202 ©2016 Franciscan Media. All Rights Reserved. Unsubscribe | Update Preferences

Additional Costs

Based on our contact (#289694), we're required to inform you about additional costs associated with your account, more information attached.

Saint of the Day (Wednesday, March 30, 2016)-St. Peter Regalado

St. Peter Regalado Wednesday, March 30, 2016 Lived(1390-1456) | Feast Day: Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Peter lived at a very busy time in history. The Great Western Schism (1378-1417) was settled at the Council of Constance (1414-1418). France and England were fighting the Hundred Years' War, and in 1453 the Byzantine Empire was completely wiped out by the loss of Constantinople to the Turks. At Peter's death the age of printing had just begun in Germany, and Columbus's arrival in the New World was less than 40 years away. Peter came from a wealthy and pious family in Valladolid, Spain. At the age of 13, he was allowed to enter the Conventual Franciscans. Shortly after his ordination, he was made superior of the friary in Aguilar. He became part of a group of friars who wanted to lead a life of greater poverty and penance. In 1442 he was appointed head of all the Spanish Franciscans in his reform group. Peter led the friars by his example. A special love of the poor and the sick characterized Peter. Miraculous stories are told about his charity to the poor. For example, the bread never seemed to run out as long as Peter had hungry people to feed. Throughout most of his life, Peter went hungry; he lived only on bread and water. Immediately after his death on March 31, 1456, his grave became a place of pilgrimage. Peter was canonized in 1746. Comment: Peter was an effective leader of the friars because he did not become ensnared in anger over the sins of others. Peter helped sinning friars rearrange the priorities in their lives and dedicate themselves to living the gospel of Jesus Christ as they had vowed. This patient correction is an act of charity available to all Franciscans, not just to superiors. Quote: "And let all the brothers, both the ministers and servants as well as the others, take care not to be disturbed or angered at the sin or the evil of another, because the devil wishes to destroy many through the fault of one; but they should spiritually help [the brother] who has sinned as best they can, because it is not the healthy who are in need of the physician, but those who are sick (cf. Mt 9:12; Mk 2:17)" (Rule of 1221, Chapter 5). Click here for a printer friendly version
About • Contact • Blog • Catalog
This email was sent to visioner.shop.wisdom@blogger.com Franciscan Media | 28 W. Liberty St. | Cincinnati, OH 45202 ©2016 Franciscan Media. All Rights Reserved. Unsubscribe | Update Preferences