SandalPrints Issue # 149... The Joy of St. Francis... 2014AD Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis of Reconciliation - Palm Springs, CA www.franciscancanticle.com sick and perform many miracles: I tell you that true joy does not consist in any of these things." "What then is true joy?" Misunderstanding and even rejection -- rather than apparent success -- are often hallmarks of Christian discipleship. Saint Francis tells a story and reminds Brother Leo of that harsh reality. TRUE AND PERFECT JOY (Brother Leonard) related, in the same place (the Portiuncula), that one day at Saint Mary the blessed Saint Francis called Brother Leo and said: "Brother Leo, write!" He answered: "I'm ready." "Write," (Francis) said, "what true joy is: "A messenger comes and says that all the masters in Paris have come into the Order; write: this is not true joy. Or that all the prelates beyond the mountains (have entered the Order), as well as all the archbishops and bishops; or, that the King of France and the King of England (have entered the Order); write: this is not true joy. Again, that my brothers have gone to the nonbelievers and converted all of them to the faith; again, that I have so much faith from God that I heal the "I return from Perugia and arrive here in the dead of night:and it is winter time, muddy and so cold that icicles have formed on the edge of my habit and keep striking my legs, and blood flows from such wounds. And all covered with mud and cold, I come to the gate and after I have knocked and called for some time, a brother comes and asks: 'Who are you?' I answer: 'Brother Francis.' And he says: 'Go away; this is not a proper hour for going about; you may not come in.' And when I insist, he answers: 'Go away, you are a simple and a stupid person; we are so many and we have no need of you. You are certainly not coming to us at this hour!' And I stand again at the door and say: 'For the love of God, take me in tonight.' And he answers: 'I will not. Go to the Crosiers' place and ask there.' I tell you this: If I had patience and did not become upset, there would be perfect joy in this and true virtue and the salvation of the soul." Excerpt from the up-and-coming book: St. Francis at Prayer by Fr. Edd Anthony even in the tiniest flower we can see the hand of God at work. St. Francis
So You ve lost the JOY and FOCUS in Your Life A Few Ideas on How to Get it Back by Brother Jonathan of God Say No more than Yes I know and you know that the flow of accessibility to your addiction (even Franciscans have addictions) will never stop unless you change your path. To change for the better, you need to say NO more than you say Yes. NO to more fast food, NO to more smoking, NO to more alcohol, NO to more drugs, NO to more bad relationships fill in the blank of what has a grip on you and is holding you back. Too many Yes s become distractions. The answer that works for now in NO. No, I don t want to be overweight any more. No, I don t want my relationship ruined by indiscretions. No, I don t want to be ruled by a chemical addiction. If you need or want strength NOW start by saying NO more often. How To Know What s Good For You Whether it s diet, alcohol, drugs, relationships, exercise, politics or fun If you have to ask if it s good for you, it probably isn t. If what you are presently doing is not bringing out your best qualities, you need to find ways to change. Change for the better, change for the best. But remember, when you change, your friends change, your places change, and your things change. You have to realize that going in. Return to your original core beliefs, your first ever values. These are exclusively and originally yours. If you seem so far away from your original core beliefs that you can t remember them, try this: Give 10% focus to Life In General. Give 90% focus to Life Specific people of truth and generous action: places of faith and joy; things of long-lasting purity. People of truth and generous action: Who are people of truth? How do you find them, work with them, live with them? Integrity is a large part of truth, so is reliability, honesty, grace and trust. Harbor and practice these values everyday. Demonstrate them with pure generosity, the kind that expects nothing in return. The kind that doesn t judge. Pure generosity lives in the ether (substance making up all heavenly bodies). You can t handle it so let it overflow. Give generously. Places of faith and joy: Find Rightness in all you do. Then be bold enough to ask where it came from. I mean, who gave you the Right? As you pursue that question in your daily life you will find joy. It s not coincidental. Things of long-lasting purity: Loving words, loving actions. Put love in everything you do. See it all around you. Appreciate. Please be thankful. Give grace as if it is a cupped hand full of ocean water. Pursue self-confidence; it is your right. Offer your strength to others. And above everything else, thank the Father, through Jesus and in the Holy Spirit. Amen. Franciscan Saints, Blesseds and Holy Ones October 2. Guardian Angels 3. Transitus 3. St. John of Dukla, I Ord. 4. Our Holy Father Francis, deacon, Founder of the Three Franciscan Orders 6. St. Mary Frances of the 5 Wounds, III Ord. 7. Our Lady of the Rosary 10. St. Daniel and Comp. I Ord. 11. Mother Mary Angela Truszkowska, III Ord. Foundress of the Felicians 12. St. Seraphin of Montegranaro, I Ord. 20. Bl. Contardo Ferrini, III Ord. 21. Bl. Josephine Lenouz, III Ord. 22. St. Peter of Alcantara, I Ord. 23. St. John of Capistrano, I Ord. 25. Bl. Anthonio de Sant Anna Galvao, I Ord. 26. St. Bonaventure of Potenza, I Ord. Holy men and women cannot help calling our attention to God, to God s creation and to all the people whom God loves. The lives of holy people are so orientated toward God that this has become the definition of normal. Do people see my life or yours as a living sign of God s steadfast love? Am I filled with God s love and Joy? What might have to change in my life for that to happen? HAPPINESS KEEPS YOU SWEET, TRIALS KEEP YOU STRONG, SORROWS KEEP YOU HUMAN, FAILURE KEEPS YOU HUMBLE, SUCCESS KEEPS YOU GLOWING BUT ONLY GOD KEEPS YOU GOING.
The Canticle of Brother Sun Most high, all-powerful, all good, Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor And all blessing. To you alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy To pronounce your name. All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that you have made. And first my lord Brother Sun, Who brings the day; and light you give to us through him. How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness. All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sisters Moon and Stars; In the heavens you have made them, bright And precious and fair. All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, And fair and stormy, all the weather s moods, By which you cherish all that you have made. All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten up the night How beautiful is he, how merry! Full of power and strength. All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth, our mother, Who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces various fruits and colored flowers and herbs. All praise be yours, my Lord, through those who grant pardon For love of you; through those who endure Sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, By you, Most High, they will be crowned. All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death, from whose embrace no mortal can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those She finds doing your will! The second death can do no harm to them. Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks, and serve him with great humility. A DESCRIPTION OF SAINT FRANCIS Shortly after Francis' canonization (July 16, 1228) Friar Thomas of Celano began writing Francis' first biography. This text, the Vita Prima (The First Life of Saint Francis), was written in Latin and composed between 1228-1229. The following text is taken from Chapter 29, Number 83: "O how beautiful, how splendid, how glorious did he appear in the innocence of his life, in the simplicity of his words, in the purity of his heart, in his love for God, in his fraternal charity, in his ardent obedience, in his peaceful submission, in his angelic countenance! He was charming in his manners, serene by nature, affable in his conversation, most opportune in his exhortations, most faithful in what was entrusted to him, cautious in counsel, effective in business, gracious in all things. He was serene of mind, sweet of disposition, sober in spirit, raised up in contemplation, zealous in prayer, and in all things fervent. He was constant in purpose, stable in virtue, persevering in grace, and unchanging in all things. He was quick to pardon, slow to become angry, ready of wit, tenacious of memory, subtle in discussion, circumspect in choosing, and in all things simple. He was unbending with himself, understanding toward others, and discreet in all things. He was a most eloquent man, a man of cheerful countenance, of kindly aspect; he was immune to cowardice, free of insolence. He was of medium height, closer to shortness; his head was moderate in size and round, his face a bit long and prominent, his forehead smooth and low; his eyes were of moderate size, black and sound; his hair was black, his eyebrows straight, his nose symmetrical, thin and straight; his ears were upright, but small; his temples smooth. His speech was peaceable, fiery and sharp; his voice was strong, sweet, clear, and sonorous. His teeth were set close together, even, and white; his lips were small and thin; his beard black, but not bushy. His neck was slender, his shoulders straight, his arms short, his hands slender, his fingers long, his nails extended; his legs were thin, his feet small. His skin was delicate, his flesh very spare. He wore rough garments, he slept but very briefly. He gave most generously. And because he was very humble, he showed all mildness to all men, adapting himself usefully to the behavior of all. The more holy amongst the holy, among sinners he was as one of them."
CHANGES Morning comes so slowly, lifting the night away. Shedding light with a smile, the day has just begun. Daytime moves with rhythm, shouting the sounds of life. Moving fast taking time whispering another day. Then the night, evening, once again has fallen, sounding daytime away. Night is full, joyful, that life continues on. Website Watching Fr. Edd Anthony utilizes and appreciates the generous contributions of various writers and other gifted people. Let us pray for the intentions of those who asked us to pray for them. T A SPECIAL BLESSING May the Lord bless you and keep you; May He show His face to you and be merciful to you. May He turn His countenance to you and give you peace. May the Lord Bless you! a new CD from franciscan canticle Praying the Franciscan Rosary Like the rosary, the Franciscan Rosary (the th Rosary of Joy) dates to the 15 century. Appearing to a young Franciscan novice, Our Lady reminded him of the joyfulness of the Franciscan spirit and instructed him to meditate daily on the seven joyful events from her own life as a new form of the rosary. Join with other Franciscans and pray along as they recite the Franciscan Crown, the Rosary of Joy. A wonderful and prayerful tool for praying alone (or with others) at home, in the car, or during retreat. This CD is composed of the seven decades of the joyful mysteries of Our Lady, including scriptural reflections and original songs. Have you stumbled upon a great website recently that you d like to share with the readers of SandalPrints? If you have, please mail it to: Anthony@FranciscanCanticle.com and we ll put it into the next issue under Website Watching. This issue s website of interest is: http://www.minature-earth.com Franciscan Canticle, Inc. is a 501-C-3 notfor-profit organization. All contributions (please make checks payable to Franciscan Canticle, Inc.) are greatly needed and appreciated. Blessings! Franciscan Canticle, Inc. 611 S. Palm Canyon Dr., # 7 PMB 572 Palm Springs, CA 92264 SandalPrints is a monthly spiritual journal published by Franciscan Canticle, Inc. and the Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis of Reconciliation. It To order send $16.95 (includes shipping and handling) and mail to: Franciscan Canticle, Inc. 611 S. Palm Canyon Dr. # 7, PMB 572 Palm Springs, CA 92264 Check out: www.franciscancanticle.com