Pope lays out concerns, petitions one tweet at a time, with ever growing following

Br. Richard Goodin, OFM Speaks About His Vocation to the Franciscans

Fr. Larry Dunham ofm Speaks of the Situation of Franciscans in Syria

Fr. Larry Dunham, OFM, is the Guardian for the Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, D.C. In this video he speaks of his great respect for those friars living in such difficult and dangerous places such as Syria.

August 25th- St. Louis IX, King, Patron of the Secular Franciscan Order

August 25th is the day when we of the Secular Franciscan Order (the Third Order), give honour to St. Louis IX, our patron.

Louis was crowned king when he was only 12 years old. His mother, however, was entrusted with the actual government of the kingdom during his minority. Meanwhile, Louis was being educated in all the duties of a Christian prince. Among his instructors there were several Franciscan friars, and later on the young king himself joined the Third Order of St. Francis.

You can read more about St. Louis IX in this article from the Franciscan Book of Saints: http://franciscan-sfo.org/sts/S0825loui.htm

Queen Blanche of Castile and Her Son, Louis IX

Fatima statue headed to Rome, as Pope plans to consecrate the world to Our Lady

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Fatima statue headed to Rome, as Pope plans to consecrate the world to Our Lady

August 14th- St. Maximilian Kolbe-Priest, First Order Franciscan

Also known as Apostle of Consecration to Mary; Maximilian Mary Kolbe; Massimiliano Maria Kolbe

 

Suffered from tuberculosis in youth, and frail in health all his life. Joined the Conventual Franciscan Order at age 16. Ordained at age 24. Doctor of Theology; his insights into Marian theology echo today through their influence on Vatican II. Founded the Milita Immaculatae, and published the magazine The Knight of the Immaculate in an effort to fight religious apathy. Imprisoned in Auschwitz for his anti-Nazi publications. Ministered to other prisoners, including conducting Mass and delivering communion using smuggled bread and wine. Died when he traded places with a young married man who was to be slaughtered in retribution for an escaped prisoner.

"Kolbe is the patron saint of our difficult century." -Pope John Paul II

Born: 7 January 1894 at Zdunska Wola, Poland

Died: August 1941 by lethal carbonic acid injection after starvation at Auschwitz; body burned in the ovens 

 

Beatified:17 October 1971 by Pope Paul VI

Canonized: 1982 by Pope John Paul II

Patronage: drug addiction, drug addicts, families, imprisoned people, journalists, political prisoners, prisoners, pro-life movement

Writings: A Rule of Life for Those Consecrated to the Immaculate Virgin

Readings: Courage, my sons, Don't you see that we are leaving on a mission? They pay our fare in the bargain. What a piece of good luck! The thing to do now is to pray well in order to win as many souls as possible. Let us, then, tell the Blessed Virgin that we are content, and that she can do with us anything she wishes. Saint Maximilian Kolbe

The most deadly poison of our times is indifference.... And this happens, although the praise of God should know no limits.... Let us strive, therefore, to praise Him to the greatest extent of our powers. Saint Maximilian Kolbe

For Jesus Christ I am prepared to suffer still more. Saint Maximilian Kolbe.

Collect of the Day

Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Maximilian Mary Kolbe triumphed over suffering and was faithful even to death: Grant us, who now remember him in thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Moving Song played during WYD's Eucharistic Adoration