The life of St. Joseph Cafasso, Confessor, Third Order (1811-1860) for the June 23rd Franciscan Saint of the Day. He was an Italian priest who joined the third order and did much work with the disadvantaged, including the poor, orphans, and sick, but most particularly with prisoners. He also fought the heresy of Jansenism and promoted devotion to Mary and gave much counsel to the young St. John Bosco.

Reflection is on the spiritual needs of prisoners for whom Jesus also died and some are even innocent of the crimes they are condemned for.

Read by Fr. Terrance Chartier, FI from Marion Habig’s “The Franciscan Book of Saints” Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

More on St Joseph Cafasso: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Cafasso

Ave Maria!

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The life of Serv. of God Illuminatus of Rieti, Confessor, First Order (d. 1266) for the June 24th Franciscan Saint of the Day. He was from Italy and was cured by St Francis of blindness in his youth and later became one of his closest followers and accompanied him on his trip to the Holy Land.

Reflection is on the need to follow the inspirations of God in order to be truly enlightened.

Read by Fr. Terrance Chartier, FI from Marion Habig’s “The Franciscan Book of Saints” Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Ave Maria!

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The life of St Jutta of Thuringia, Widow, Third Order (1200-1264) for the June 26th Franciscan Saint of the Day. She was a very pious, married, noblewoman, and led her husband to similar piety. After he passed away on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, she gave away all her riches to give sustenance to the poor. She spent the last years of her life praying for the conversion of the Prussians. Reflection is on Christian widowhood and establishing a reputation in good works and prayer, following the example of Mary.

For more on St Jutta https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jutta_of_Kulmsee

Read by Fra Gabriel Cortes, FI from Marion Habig’s “The Franciscan Book of Saints” Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

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The life of Bl. Guy of Cortona, Confessor, First Order (c. 1185-1250) for the June 27th Franciscan Saint of the Day. He was a wealthy man in Cortona, Italy who entered the order after St Francis preached in Cortona and he reached great sanctity, even with miracles of healing.

Reflection is on profiting from the good examples of others, avoiding bad examples, and the obligation to set a good example for others.

Read by Fr. Terrance Chartier, FI from Marion Habig’s “The Franciscan Book of Saints” Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Ave Maria!

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The life of Serv. of God Francis de Porras, Martyr, First Order (d. 1633) for the June 28th Franciscan Saint of the Day. He was a Spanish missionary to the Moquis tribe of Arizona who was very successful in converting many of them to Christianity, but was poisoned by the angry medicine men.

Reflection is on the profession of Faith that we must not merely carry in our hearts, but spread it to others by professing it.

Read by Friar Gabriel Cortes, FI from Marion Habig’s “The Franciscan Book of Saints” Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Also on https://youtu.be/9N2BaFJifVo

Ave Maria!

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The life of Bl. Benvenute of Gubbio, Confessor, First Order (d. ~1232) for the June 29th Franciscan Saint of the Day. He was an accomplished knight of Gubbio, Italy who joined the Franciscans as a humble lay bother taking care of leper patients at a hospital and developed a deep prayer life and devotion to Mary, accompanied by many mystical experiences.

Reflection is on conformity to God’s will and overcoming self-will.

More on Bl. Benvenute https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5818
Text: https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/blessed-benvenute-of-gubbio.html

Read by Fr. Terrance Chartier, FI from Marion Habig’s “The Franciscan Book of Saints” Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Also on https://youtu.be/CK9WkRf8n6M

Ave Maria!

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The life of Bl. Raymond Lull, Martyr, Third Order (1232-1315) for the June 30th Franciscan Saint of the Day. He was a high official of the court of Majorca of the Belleric islands who had a call to join the Franciscan Tertiaries where he started a school to learn the languages of Africa to preach to the Muslims. On a journey there he was martyred for the faith.
The reflection is on how we should a great appreciation of the value the Christian faith, use it well, and preserve and grow in it.

More on Bl. Raymond Lull https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4517
and: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramon_Llull
Text: https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/blessed-raymond-lull.html

Read by Fr. Terrance Chartier, FI from Marion Habig’s “The Franciscan Book of Saints” Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Also on https://youtu.be/x9X1F2m9GTM

Ave Maria!

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The life of Serv. of God Philomene Jane Genovese, Virgin, Third Order (1835-1864) for the July 1st Franciscan Saint of the Day. She was very devout from her youth and spurned worldly luxuries in order to embrace the poverty of Christ as a Third Order Franciscan. She patiently suffered many maladies and died at a young age.

Reflection is on the luxury of dress and how we should not glory in outward apparel but concentrate on the adornment of the soul.

Read by Fr. Ignatius Manfredonia, FI from Marion Habig’s “The Franciscan Book of Saints” Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Playlist of Franciscan Saints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TxcAETrU_k&list=PLejh_e0-LN4wErRczZGry4TXytCZFiLCm

Ave Maria!

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vZOuMPnPYuE
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The life of Serv. of God Bernard of Quintavalle, Confessor, First Order (d. ~1241) for the July 2nd Franciscan Saint of the Day. He was a respected and prominent citizen of Asissi and became the first disciple of the young St Francis when he was considered little better than a fool. He set a good example for other Franciscans and he accompanied st. Francis on many missionary journeys.

Reflection is on respect for old age.

For more on Bernard of Quintavalle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_of_Quintavalle

Read by Fr. Ignatius Manfredonia, FI from Marion Habig’s “The Franciscan Book of Saints” Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Playlist of Franciscan Saints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TxcAETrU_k&list=PLejh_e0-LN4wErRczZGry4TXytCZFiLCm

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IEd33Ecsm0M

Ave Maria!

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The life of Serv. of God Andrew of Burgio, Confessor, First Order (1705-1772) for the July 3rd Franciscan Saint of the Day. He was a lay brother in the capuchins who reached great heights of sanctity through his forbearance, performing many miracles and conducted fruitful work in the mission of Africa in the Congo.

Reflection is on patient forbearance to grow in sanctity and win conversions, that forbearance does not mean sloth and finally how to obtain this virtue.

Read by Fr. Ignatius Manfredonia, FI from Marion Habig’s “The Franciscan Book of Saints” Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Playlist of Franciscan Saints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TxcAETrU_k&list=PLejh_e0-LN4wErRczZGry4TXytCZFiLCm

Ave Maria!

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