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Irish Capuchin Franciscans

1 week ago

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. Francis was a man of God, a man of prayer and a man of peace. Enflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit, he longed for us to live harmoniously as brothers and sisters in Christ. His vision remains not alone the remedy for a trouble heart but also for a troubled World. St Francis patron of peace, ecology and animals: Pray for us.
(Image: From the Canticle of the Creatures by Giustina di Toni). ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

1 week ago

Novena in preparation for the feast of St. Francis: Day 9

Thought for the day:

At the heart of the life of Francis, at the centre of his sanctity, is his desire to become one with Christ in Love. Through his meditation upon the humility of the Incarnation and the emptying of self in love that it implies in the Crib, the Cross and above all in the Eucharist, Francis finds his way to the heights of holiness by following Jesus into the depths of His love for all creation. To be one with Christ is to be one with Him in this self emptying so that he might be filled with His Love and become brother to all.

Meditation:

Today allow the meditation of Francis to be your meditation too. Allow his prayer of praise, love and longing to rest in your breath as we pray with him, “My God and my All.”

Prayer of the Companions of St. Francis:

Draw us to yourself, most worthy Father Francis, that we may run after your fragrance of holiness. As you know, we are lukewarm because of our sloth, languid because of our idleness, half-alive because of our negligence. This little flock is following you with hesitant steps. Our weak eyes cannot bear the dazzling rays of your perfection.

Renew our days as from the beginning, O mirror and model of perfection, and do not allow us, who are like you in our profession, to be unlike you in our lives.
Holy Father, remember all your sons and daughters, who surrounded by inextricable danger, follow your footsteps though from so great a distance. Give us strength that we may resist; purify us that we may gleam forth; fill us with joy that we may be happy. Pray that the spirit of grace and of prayer be poured upon us; that we may have the true humility you had; that we may observe the poverty you observed; that we may be filled with the charity with which you always loved Christ Crucified, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns world without end. Amen.

O Lady of the Angels hail! Keep us safe beneath thy Veil +

Br Richard
vocations@capuchins.ie ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

2 weeks ago

Novena in preparation for the Feast of St. Francis: Day 8

Thought for the day:

Francis is known as the great peacemaker saint.
His ability to bring people together and resolve conflict arose from his awareness that real peace comes living in right relationship with God, with self and with all creation.
Today let us enter the way of peace together by seeking the peace that only God can bring.

Meditation:

Today let the greeting revealed by God to St. Francis, “The Lord give you His peace!” dwell in your breath as you meet others and above all as you meet your inner self.

Prayer of the Companions of St. Francis:

Draw us to yourself, most worthy Father Francis, that we may run after your fragrance of holiness. As you know, we are lukewarm because of our sloth, languid because of our idleness, half-alive because of our negligence. This little flock is following you with hesitant steps. Our weak eyes cannot bear the dazzling rays of your perfection.

Renew our days as from the beginning, O mirror and model of perfection, and do not allow us, who are like you in our profession, to be unlike you in our lives.

Holy Father, remember all your sons and daughters, who surrounded by inextricable danger, follow your footsteps though from so great a distance. Give us strength that we may resist; purify us that we may gleam forth; fill us with joy that we may be happy. Pray that the spirit of grace and of prayer be poured upon us; that we may have the true humility you had; that we may observe the poverty you observed; that we may be filled with the charity with which you always loved Christ Crucified, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns world without end. Amen.

O Lady of the Angels hail!
Keep us safe beneath thy Veil +

Br Richard
vocations@capuchins.ie ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

2 weeks ago

Novena in preparation for the feast of St. Francis: Day 7

Thought for the day:

As Francis advanced in contemplative illumination he dwelt in the awareness that every being and all that exists has its origin from Love, is held in existence by Love, and has as its ultimate destiny the revelation of itself as a word from Divine Love. All created things became a ladder of love returning the one who contemplates them to their origin.
Dwelling like Francis in this sacramental vision of creation we too become aware of every being as a brother or sister in the Love that is God.

Daily Meditation:

Today allow the cry the heart of St. Francis that “Love is not loved!” to rest in your breath and so invite you to see every creature you meet as an expression of Divine Love to be received with love in return.

Prayer of the Companions of St. Francis:

Draw us to yourself, most worthy Father Francis, that we may run after your fragrance of holiness. As you know, we are lukewarm because of our sloth, languid because of our idleness, half-alive because of our negligence. This little flock is following you with hesitant steps. Our weak eyes cannot bear the dazzling rays of your perfection.

Renew our days as from the beginning, O mirror and model of perfection, and do not allow us, who are like you in our profession, to be unlike you in our lives.

Holy Father, remember all your sons and daughters, who surrounded by inextricable danger, follow your footsteps though from so great a distance. Give us strength that we may resist; purify us that we may gleam forth; fill us with joy that we may be happy. Pray that the spirit of grace and of prayer be poured upon us; that we may have the true humility you had; that we may observe the poverty you observed; that we may be filled with the charity with which you always loved Christ Crucified, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns world without end. Amen.

O Lady of the Angels hail!
Keep us safe beneath thy Veil+

Br. Richard
vocations@capuchins.ie ... See MoreSee Less