Ordinary Time: October 4th

MASS READINGS

October 04, 2014 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

O God, by whose gift Saint Francis was conformed to Christ in poverty and humility, grant that, by walking in Francis' footsteps, we may follow your Son, and, through joyful charity, come to be united with you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

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Recipes (16)

• Almond Slices
• Brustengo--Gubbian Flat Bread
• Cherries Jubilee II
• Chicken Valdostana
• Croccante (Almond Crunch)
• Croccante Quaresimale (Hazelnut Cookies)
• Double Chocolate Mocha Biscotti
• Fettuccelle with Artichokes
• Frangipane Cream I
• Frangipane Cream II
• Glow Wine
• Gubbian Style Stewed Chicken
• Jiffy On-Fire Dessert
• Meringues
• Mostaccioli I (Little Mustache Almond Cookies)
• Snowballs on Fire

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Activities (5)

• Christmas Crib
• Crib of St. Francis
• Influence of St. Francis on the Christmas Crib
• Nameday Celebration for St. Francis of Assisi
• Teaching Obedience

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Prayers (11)

• Canticle of the Sun
• Roman Ritual: Blessing for All Domestic Animals
• Book of Blessings: Order for the Blessing of Animals
• Book of Blessings: Order for the Blessing of Animals (Shorter Rite)
• Saint Francis and the Blessing of Animals
• Table Blessing for the Feast St. Francis Assisi, Founder
• Roman Ritual: A Blessing for Horses or Other Animals
• Roman Ritual: Blessings of Poultry
• Roman Ritual: A Blessing for Animals Afflicted with a Serious Disease
• Roman Ritual: A Second Blessing for Animals Afflicted with a Serious Disease
• Roman Ritual: Blessing of Bees

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Library (26)

• A Life of Poverty in Service to the Poor | Pope Saint John Paul II
• Auspicato Concessum (On St. Francis of Assisi) | Pope Leo XIII
• Express Your Love By Fidelity To Prayer | Pope Saint John Paul II
• Francis As the Model of Authentic Church Reform | Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap.
• Francis Embodies the Christological Truth at the Root of Human Existence | Pope Benedict XVI
• Franciscans: Continue to Beautify the Face of the Church | Pope Benedict XVI
• Homily on St. Francis of Assisi (03-12-1982) | Pope Saint John Paul II
• Homily on St. Francis of Assisi (09-17-1993) | Pope Saint John Paul II
• Laudato si' | Pope Francis
• Let Every Creature Bless the Lord | Pope Saint John Paul II
• Letter to All the Faithful | Saint Francis of Assisi
• Living Out Gospel Poverty in an Age of Prosperity | Rev. Thomas Dubay
• Meditation on St. Francis of Assisi | Pope Saint John XXIII
• Mira circa nos:Bull of Canonization of St. Francis | Pope Gregory IX
• Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans: O.F.M.) | Helen Walker Homan
• Poverty, Peace, Universality in the Cross | Pope Benedict XVI
• Rite expiatis (On St. Francis of Assisi) | Pope Pius XI
• Sacra Propediem (On the Third Order of St. Francis) | Pope Benedict XV
• Saint Francis of Assisi | Pope Benedict XVI
• Saint Francis of Assisi | Unknown
• Saint Francis of Assisi in a New Light | H. G. Hughes
• Short Biography of St. Francis of Assisi | Unknown
• Sources on Saint Francis of Assisi | Various
• The Bull of Canonization of St. Francis of Assisi: Mira Circa Nos | Pope Gregory IX
• The Mendicant Orders | Pope Benedict XVI
• Will of St. Francis of Assisi | Saint Francis of Assisi

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Blog & Podcasts (4)

• Breaking Bread throughout the Liturgical Year
• Scratch and Sniff Sainthood
• St. Francis of Assisi—Setting the Record Straight
• Toasting through the Liturgical Year

» Enjoy our Liturgical Seasons series of e-books!

St. Francis (1182-1226) was born and died in Assisi. He was the son of a rich merchant, Bernardone, received a good education, and in the beginning followed the ways of the world. He was taken prisoner in the battle between the Assisians and Perugians, and after his release decided to abandon everything for Christ. His father became extremely displeased at his action, and disinherited him. In 1220 he founded a new order which in ten years numbered five thousand brothers. His followers were called Friars Minor because they were to consider themselves as the least among religious. Out of humility Francis never accepted the priesthood but remained a deacon all his life. He had a great love for God's creatures and called them his brothers and sisters. His ardent love of God merited for him the name of Seraphic. This feast is celebrated today both in the Ordinary Form and the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

St. Francis of Assisi
Francis Bernardone was born in 1181 at Assisi, Umbria, Italy. The son of a wealthy cloth merchant, he lived a lavish and irresponsible life. At the age of twenty, he went to war against Perugia, but was captured and imprisoned. During his imprisonment he experienced a vision from Christ and changed his life completely. He left all his possessions and embraced complete poverty, taking the Gospel as his rule of life.

He wore ragged old clothes, begged for food and preached peace. He began to attract followers, and in 1209 with the papal blessing he founded the Friars Minor (Franciscans). Then in 1212 with St. Clare of Assisi he founded the foundation of the Order of "Poor Ladies," now known as the "Poor Clares." He also founded the "Third Order of Penance" (the Third Order) which included lay people. He was the first person (recorded) to receive the stigmata (the five wounds of Christ) in 1224. He died on October 4, 1226 at Portiuncula, Italy. He was canonized by Gregory IX less than two years later.

Patron: against fire; animals; Catholic Action; dying alone; ecology; environment; families; fire; lacemakers; merchants; peace; zoos; Italy; Assisi, Italy; Colorado; Sante Fe, New Mexico; archdiocese of San Francisco, California; archdiocese of Denver, Colorado; archdiocese of Sante Fe, New Mexico; diocese of Salina, Kansas.

Symbols: birds and animals; bag of gold and rich raiment at his feet; winged crucifix with five rays; stigmata; crown of thorns; lighted lamp; fiery chariot; birds; deer; fish; skull; wolf; fire.

Things to Do:

• Pray the Canticle of the Sun, which was written by St. Francis.

• For more reading, see the selections from the Catholic Culture Library and the page from the Franciscan Archives contains links about St. Francis of Assisi, including biographies, articles, writings, Orders & Societies, liturgical texts and art.

• Many parishes have a Blessing of animals or pets on this day. See the Prayers column for other alternatives. St. Francis loved all of God's creatures. Find the stories of the Wolf of Gubbio, the Sermon to the Birds, his Canticle of Creatures to see some illustrations of his honoring God's creation.

• St. Francis was influential on our present-day Christmas crib or creche. Find out more about this historical event. See the articles in our Activities top bar.

• Although St. Francis is one of the most popular saints of the Church, and his feast is a huge celebration in Assisi, there are no particular foods attached to that festival. Tradition has passed on that on his deathbed he requested Frangipane cream or Moastaccioli (almond biscotti). Fire is a symbol of St. Francis, first of all because his heart was on fire with love of God, but there are other stories in Little Flowers of St. Francis that deal with fire, particularly when he prayed, the surrounding areas would become so bright that people thought the areas were on fire. So a flaming dessert or wine would be an appropriate ending of a wonderful feast. One could also try some Umbrian style recipes, or just have "Italian night" at home, even just simple spaghetti or other pasta and sauces.

• Learn more about the Franciscan Order. The Catholic Encyclopedia has a wonderful entry on St. Francis, including his Rule. And from the Catholic Culture Library you can read a detailed summary of the life of St. Francis and his founding of the Order of Friars Minor.

• What does poverty in our state of life mean? How can I follow the Gospels like Francis?

• Learn more about geography and history of the Umbria area, and how much Francis has impacted that area.

• Study art and photos of Francis. Find out more about the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. Although the earthquake in 1997 damaged the basilica, it reopened in 1999.

• Go here for Saint Francis of Assisi, The Writings of Saint Francis of Assisi, translated by Fr. Paschal Robinson in 1906.

• Read Little Flowers of St. Francis by Brother Ugolino online or purchase a copy. This is a collection of many stories and legends of the life of St. Francis. Of particular note is his Sermon to the Birds,

  "My little sisters the birds, ye owe much to God, your Creator, and ye ought to sing his praise at all times and in all places, because he has given you liberty to fly about into all places; and though ye neither spin nor sew, he has given you a twofold and a threefold clothing for yourselves and for your offspring. Two of all your species he sent into the Ark with Noah that you might not be lost to the world; besides which, he feeds you, though ye neither sow nor reap. He has given you fountains and rivers to quench your thirst, mountains and valleys in which to take refuge, and trees in which to build your nests; so that your Creator loves you much, having thus favoured you with such bounties. Beware, my little sisters, of the sin of ingratitude, and study always to give praise to God."