From the Friars (Catholic Christian Spirituality)

What does God want from me? by Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Our Lady's life was one of waiting for God. Because she was always waiting and listening for God's voice Mary was able to see beyond the uncertainties and challenges that life presented to her. Even though waiting on God might appear to be something passive, Mary reveals to us that waiting on God is actually an active disposition, since it means living our real lives trusting in the love and mercy of God.

The Nativity of John the Baptist by Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Homily by Fr. Joseph Mary Deane, CFR, at the Mass of thanksgiving for our newly ordained Fr. Giles Barrie, CFR. What is the connection between the priesthood, fathers, and Corpus Christi? Listen to learn more!!

Often times we live in two places; the past and the future. The only "real" place there is is the present moment. If we wish to encounter God and experience His grace anew it is in the present moment were we must be.

Homily from Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR, on the occasion of the first Mass of the six newly ordained friars. Given at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Manhattan, New York City, on Sunday, May 28th.

The primary purpose of the Holy Spirit is to reveal God to us. Hence, there can be nothing more fascinating and nothing more beautiful than listening to the Holy Spirit both in our own lives and in the lives of others. By listening to the Holy Spirit in our lives God will reveal Himself in ways we could have never imagined.

Podcast from Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR. There are two camps of people, ultimately. Listen to learn more!

Here is the reading from the letter of Diognetus: "Christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or customs. They do not inhabit separate cities of their own, or speak a strange dialect, or follow some outlandish way of life. Their teaching is not based upon reveries inspired by the curiosity of men. Unlike some other people, they champion no purely human doctrine. With regard to dress, food and manner of life in general, they follow the customs of whatever city they happen to be living in, whether it is Greek or foreign.

And yet there is something extraordinary about their lives. They live in their own countries as though they were only passing through. They play their full role as citizens, but labor under all the disabilities of aliens. Any country can be their homeland, but for them their homeland, wherever it may be, is a foreign country. Like others, they marry and have children, but they do not expose them. They share their meals, but not their wives. They live in the flesh, but they are not governed by the desires of the flesh. They pass their days upon earth, but they are citizens of heaven. Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law.

Christians love all men, but all men persecute them. Condemned because they are not understood, they are put to death, but raised to life again. They live in poverty, but enrich many; they are totally destitute, but possess an abundance of everything. They suffer dishonor, but that is their glory. They are defamed, but vindicated. A blessing is their answer to abuse, deference their response to insult. For the good they do they receive the punishment of malefactors, but even then they rejoice, as though receiving the gift of life. They are attacked by the Jews as aliens, they are persecuted by the Greeks, yet no one can explain the reason for this hatred.

To speak in general terms, we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body. As the soul is present in every part of the body, while remaining distinct from it, so Christians are found in all the cities of the world, but cannot be identified with the world. As the visible body contains the invisible soul, so Christians are seen living in the world, but their religious life remains unseen. The body hates the soul and wars against it, not because of any injury the soul has done it, but because of the restriction the soul places on its pleasures. Similarly, the world hates the Christians, not because they have done it any wrong, but because they are opposed to its enjoyments.

Christians love those who hate them just as the soul loves the body and all its members despite the body’s hatred. It is by the soul, enclosed within the body, that the body is held together, and similarly, it is by the Christians, detained in the world as in a prison, that the world is held together. The soul, though immortal, has a mortal dwelling place; and Christians also live for a time amidst perishable things, while awaiting the freedom from change and decay that will be theirs in heaven. As the soul benefits from the deprivation of food and drink, so Christians flourish under persecution. Such is the Christian’s lofty and divinely appointed function, from which he is not permitted to excuse himself."

Podcast from Br. Gabriel and Fr. Luke. Just back from a great retreat, we discuss the question of identity. Who am I? Listen to learn more!

Divinization: The fullness of Christian life by Franciscan Friars of the Renewal