October 4 is the Feast of our patron, Saint Francis of Assisi
Following St. Francis’ own words: “Laudato si, mi Signore” “Be praised, my Lord”
CELEBRATE IN YOUR HOME DURING OCTOBER
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Read the parent letter with October Faith at Home kit instructions here.
Many of the items listed in the parent letter you can find on your own. If you would like an October Home Faith Kit, contact stfreled@stfrancisa2.org or call 734-821-2130. (A $10 donation is appreciated).
Find the outline of Saints Francis and Clare here. Please see the parent letter for instructions.
For families with children in grades PreK-5, listen to the story of:
Clare and Francis Part 1
Clare and Francis Part 2
PEACE PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
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Below is a version of St. Francis’ prayer set to music. We will be singing it at our Masses and special liturgies throughout the month of October. We encourage you to sing it in your own homes.
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OUR PARISH PRAYER TO FRANCISCAN ST. PADRE PIO:
Heavenly Father, You gave the priest St. Pio of Pietrelcina as a sign of holiness to the world. Many people received healing and new life through his prayers and priestly ministry, especially through the sacrament of confession. Like St. Francis, you allowed him to bear the wounds of your Son on his body. Help us to unite ourselves to Jesus crucified so that we may be healed from our sins and all affliction and help bring your healing love to the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Padre Pio, pray for us.
Padre Celestial, Nos diste al padre San Pío de Pietrelcina
como signo de santidad para el mundo.
Muchas personas recibieron sanación y nueva vida
a través de sus oraciones y ministerio sacerdotal,
especialmente a través del sacramento de la confesión.
Así como a San Francisco, le permitiste
soportar las heridas de tu hijo en su cuerpo.
Ayúdanos a unirnos a Jesús crucificado
para que podamos ser sanados por nuestros pecados y toda aflicción
y ayúdanos a traer su amor sanador al mundo.
Por Cristo nuestro Señor. Amén
Padre Pío, reza por nosotros.
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ST. FRANCIS ALMOND COOKIES – AN OLD FRANCISCAN TRADITION
Franciscan friars share the story that as St. Francis lay dying, he requested his favorite almond cookies from one of his followers, Blessed Jacoba of Settesoli. To this day, many Franciscans continue this tradition of making these cookies every Oct. 3rd, on the evening of the Transitus (the “passing over”) of St. Francis.
We invite you to join in this Franciscan tradition, sharing with your family, friends, and the poor among you:
St. Francis Almond Cookie Recipe
1 3/4 Cups whole almonds
1 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons Flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 large egg whites
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 Cup sliced almonds
Toast whole almonds in 300° oven 5 minutes. Cool. Place in food processor with sugar, flour, and salt. Process until finely ground. Add and process egg whites and extract.
Drop by teaspoonfuls on parchment covered baking sheet 1″ apart. Sprinkle with sliced almonds. Bake at 300° for 25 minutes.
Yield: 4 dozen cookies
Learn More About the Life of St. Francis:
Watch this free film of the lives of Sts. Francis and Clare available of FORMED: CLARE AND FRANCIS (If you haven’t already signed up for a FORMED account, use our parish code: KMCVW8)
Two great books to come to know St. Francis from his own words and Franciscan followers:
“The Life of St. Francis” by St. Bonaventure
“it was whispered unto his spirit that spiritual merchandise hath its beginning in the contempt of the world, and that the warfare of Christ is to be begun by victory over self.” ― St. Bonaventure
“The Little Flowers” by St. Francis of Assisi
“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”― St. Francis Of Assisi
“And St. Francis said: ‘My dear son, be patient, because the weaknesses of the body are given to us in this world by God for the salvation of the soul. So they are of great merit when they are borne patiently.” ― St. Francis of Assisi