Of the Fruit to be Derived from Prayer and Meditation:  Since this short treatise speaks of prayer and meditation, it will be well to state in a few words what is the fruit which may be derived from this holy exercise, so that men may give themselves to it with more willing heart.   It is a well known fact that one of the greatest hindrances we have to attaining our final happiness and blessedness, is the evil inclination of our hearts, the difficulty and dullness of spirit we have in respect to good rules; for, if this was not in the way, it would be the easiest thing possible to run in the path of virtues, and attain to the end for which we were created.  Concerning which the Apostle says, “I delight in the Law of God, according to the inward man; but I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin.” (Rom. 7:22-23) 

This, then, is the universal cause of all our evil.  One of the most efficacious means for overcoming this dullness and difficulty, and for facilitating this matter, is devotion; for as St. Thomas says, “Devotion is nothing else than a certain readiness and aptitude for doing good.”  For this takes away from our mind all that difficulty and dullness, and makes us quick and ready for all good.  It is a spiritual refection, a refreshment, like the dew of Heaven, a breath and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, a supernatural affection.  It so orders, strengthens, and transforms a man’s heart, that it imparts a new taste and inspiration for spiritual things, a new distaste and abhorrence for sensible things. 

The experience of every day shows us this.  For when a spiritually minded person rises from deep devout prayer, then straight away all his good resolutions are renewed, together with fervor and determination to do good; the desire then to please, and to love, a Lord so good and kind as He has then shown Himself to be, a willingness to endure fresh troubles, and chastenings, even to shedding blood for His sake, then, finally, all the freshness of soul is renewed and blooms again.

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O Mary, Mary, most holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of heaven, Mistress of the world, Sanctuary of the Holy
Spirit, Lily of purity, Rose of patience, Paradise of delight, Mirror of chastity, Model of innocence: intercede for this poor banished pilgrim.

+St. Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)

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Homily #121020 ( 07min) Play– On this memorial of St. Peter of Alcantara (Oct. 19), Fr. George preaches on the Franciscan’s remarkable life of extreme penance and lofty contemplation, and explains that although many can’t imitate his austerities, we must strive to live a continual life of penance and sacrifice.

Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Peter of Alcantara – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: 
1st: phi 3:8-14
Resp: psa 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11
Gsp: luk 12:22-31

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #121022b ( 10min) Play – Fr. Elias on the life of St. Peter of Alcantara, a Franciscan, who lived a life of extraordinary penance.  He contrasts this spirit of penance for the love of God with the modern materialism which is based on love of self.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Peter of Alcantara – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Monday in the 29th Week in Ordinary Time
1st: eph 2:1-10
Resp: psa 100:2, 3, 4, 5
Gsp: luk 12:13-21

Audio (MP3)

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The post Oct 22 – Homily – Fr Elias: St. Peter of Alcantara, Penitent first appeared on AirMaria.com.

St. Peter of Alcantara (1499-October18, 1562) was instrumental in the origin of one of the largest reforms of the OFM. Known for his extraordinary penance and poverty, his spiritual guidance was sought out by such lights of 16th century Spain, as St. Teresa of Jesus. His treatise on Mental Prayer is his most famous writing. The Alcantarines, which implemented his teachings in a reform of the OFM, had a great impact on the evangelization of the New World. And thus through them, this work came to have great influence in Catholic spirituality throughout the Americas.

“On this day, you shall enter upon the memory of your sins, and upon the knowledge of yourself, to see how many evil things you have done, and to see that you have nothing that is good save from God. For this consideration is the means of acquiring humility, the mother of all the virtues.

For this purpose you must first think of the multitude of the sins of your past life, especially of those committed in the days when you knew not God. For if you consider them well, you will find that they are more in number than the hairs of your head, and that you lived in that day like the Gentile who knows not God. Consider then, briefly, the Ten Commandments, and the Seven Deadly sins, and you will see that there are none into which you have not often fallen, in deed or word or thought. Let your mind, then, rest upon the Divine Blessings, and upon your past time, and consider how you have made use of them. For you have to give an account of all these before God. Tell me, then, how have you used the days of your childhood, your youth, your manhood, indeed all the days of your past life?

In what way did you use your bodily senses, and the powers of your soul, which God gave to you for the purpose of knowing and serving Him?

In what did you use your eyes, except in things of vanity?

In what did you use your ears, except to hear things of falsehood; in what your tongue, except in all manner of rash oaths and murmurings? and your taste and all your senses, except in sensual pleasures and flattery?

How have you profited by the Holy Sacraments, which God ordained for your assistance?

What thanksgivings have you made for all His benefits?

How have you responded to His inspirations?

How have you used your health and strength, your natural talents, your earthly goods, your opportunities and occasions for living well?

What care have you taken of your neighbor whom God commended to you, and what works of mercy towards him can you show?

Then what will you answer on that day of reckoning when God shall say unto you: “Give an account of your stewardship.”

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Homily #131022b ( 08min) Play – Fr. Joachim on the life of St. Peter of Alcantara a Franciscan who lived in the 1500’s in Spain and was the Spiritual director of St Theresa of Avila. He lived a very penitential life.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Peter of Alcantara – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Tuesday 29th Week of Ordinary Time
1st: rom 5:12, 15, 17-19, 20-21
Resp: psa 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 17
Gsp: luk 12:35-38

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #131022 ( 11min) Play – The great Franciscan preacher and one of the greatest penitents of all time, St. Peter of Alcantara, wrote “A Treatise on Prayer and Meditation” which was acclaimed by St. Francis de Sales and St. Teresa of Avila, whom he also guided in spiritual direction.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Peter of Alcantara – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Tuesday 29th Week of Ordinary Time
1st: rom 5:12, 15, 17-19, 20-21
Resp: psa 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 17
Gsp: luk 12:35-38

Audio (MP3)

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The post Oct 22 – Homily – Fr Benedict: Perfecting Our Prayer Life first appeared on AirMaria.com.

On the memorial of St. Peter, Fr. Matthias takes the occasion to explain the value of penance, of which virtue this saint is perhaps the unparalleled hero. Earthly penance both purifies and increases our capacity for supernatural charity. The purification of purgatory cannot do this, so let us appreciate the value of penance now, when it can benefit us.

St. Peter of Alcantara achieved sanctity in this life, and influenced both the Franciscan reforms of his time, as well as the Carmelite, as spiritual director of St. Theresa of Avila.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Peter of Alcantara – Memorial
Audio (MP3)

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The post Oct 20 – Homily – St. Peter of Alcantara – From Earthly Penance to Eternal Glory first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr. Ignatius on the life of St. Peter of Alcantara and the need of having reform and maintaining the rigor of religious life.

Ave Maria!

Mass: Friday in the 29th Week in Ordinary Time – Wkdy
Readings:
1st: eph 4:1-6
Resp: psa 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 0
Gsp: luk 12:54-59

Audio (MP3)

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The post Oct 21 – Homily – Fr Ignatius: St. Peter of Alcantara on Reform first appeared on AirMaria.com.

After a brief overview of the life of the penitential Franciscan Saint John Joseph of the Cross (priest of the Alcantaran reform, Mar 05), Fr. Matthias offers guidance for making an effective and meritorious Lenten resolution (4:27). Identifying the main principle to observe, he offers three practical categories to choose from which are readily available in the life of everyone.

It is not necessary to find some creative penance in order to make this Lent a most spiritually fruitful time or penance, purification, and growth in love of the Lord, as life offers plenty of ready-made possibilities for meaningful and meritorious mortification.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. John Joseph of the Cross

Readings: Tuesday 8th Week of Ordinary Time
1st: Sir 35:1-12
Resp: Ps 50:5-6, 7-8, 14, 23
Gsp: Mk 10:28-31

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=616&r=1402

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The Life of St. Peter of Alcantara, Confessor, First Order (d. 1512) for the Franciscan Saint of the Day for Oct 22. St. Peter was born in Spain and developed a very deep prayer life and much penance. He was a prolific traveling preacher and was the spiritual director of many saints.

Reflection is on the reward for penance that wins eternal rest for our soul and body.

For more on St. Peter of Alcantara
– https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/saint-peter-of-alcantara.html

Also on Youtube: https://youtu.be/_yHryMn4EGQ

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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The post Oct 22 – St. Peter of Alcantara – Franciscan Saint of the Day first appeared on AirMaria.com.