Hello John,
Joan of Arc shines like a shooting star through the annals of French and English history, leaving a lasting impression among the stories of the Churchâs saints and in our collective memory. Women see themselves in her; men admire her bravery. She challenges us on a fundamental level. Although more than 500 years have passed since her time, her experiences with mysticism, calling, identity, trust, betrayal, conflict, and focus remain relevant today. Reflecting on Mary, we find the epitome of love. True love involves helping those in need, even when we ourselves are struggling. Mary is selfless; she teaches her son, Jesus, that the needs of others come before our own ministry or work. We should ask ourselves: Who do we spend most of our time thinking about? Isnât it usually ourselves? I invite you to spend seven days letting St. Anthony of Padua guide you to finding yourself and your way to God. Through rich content, guided prayer activities, and probing questions drawn from his preaching and the stories of his life, you will not only learn about this Franciscan saint but also deepen your own spiritual life. Take a moment to listen to Fr. Dennet and Bro. Dominic share their insights on the importance of taking time for retreat and the significant impact St. Anthony has had on their lives. Donât miss this opportunity to enrich your spiritual journey. |
With prayers and blessings, |
Saint of the Day for May 30: Joan of Arc (January 6, 1412 â May 30, 1431) Saint Joan of Arcâs Story Burned at the stake as a heretic after a politically-motivated trial, Joan was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920. Born of a fairly well-to-do peasant couple in Domremy-Greux southeast of Paris, Joan was only 12 when she experienced a vision and heard voices that she later identified as Saints Michael the Archangel, Catherine of Alexandria, and Margaret of Antioch. During the Hundred Years War, Joan led French troops against the English and recaptured the cities of OrlĂ©ans and Troyes. This enabled Charles VII to be crowned as king in Reims in 1429. Captured near Compiegne the following year, Joan was sold to the English and placed on trial for heresy and witchcraft. Professors at the University of Paris supported Bishop Pierre Cauchon of Beauvis, the judge at her trial; Cardinal Henry Beaufort of Winchester, England, participated in the questioning of Joan in prison. In the end, she was condemned for wearing menâs clothes. The English resented Franceâs military successâto which Joan contributed. On this day in 1431, Joan was burned at the stake in Rouen, and her ashes were scattered in the Seine River. A second Church trial 25 years later nullified the earlier verdict, which was reached under political pressure. Remembered by most people for her military exploits, Joan had a great love for the sacraments, which strengthened her compassion toward the poor. Popular devotion to her increased greatly in 19th-century France and later among French soldiers during World War I. Theologian George Tavard writes that her life âoffers a perfect example of the conjunction of contemplation and actionâ because her spiritual insight is that there should be a âunity of heaven and earth.â Joan of Arc has been the subject of many books, plays, operas, and movies. Reflection âJoan of Arc is like a shooting star across the landscape of French and English history, amid the stories of the Churchâs saints and into our consciousness. Women identify with her; men admire her courage. She challenges us in fundamental ways. Despite the fact that more than 500 years have passed since she lived, her issues of mysticism, calling, identity, trust and betrayal, conflict, and focus are our issues still.â (Joan of Arc: Godâs Warrior by Barbara Beckwith) Saint Joan of Arc is the Patron Saint of: France
Military Members
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Spend seven consecutive days letting St. Anthony of Padua be your guide to finding yourself and your way to God. Through rich content, guided prayer activities and probing questions drawn from his preaching and the stories of his life, you will learn about this Franciscan saint but, even more important, about your own spiritual life. Begins Thursday, June 6th! |
What It Means to Love
Mary is the model of what it means to love because love means helping those who need us, even when we ourselves might be in need. Mary is not self-absorbed. She even teaches her son, Jesus, that those in need take precedence even over the ministry or work we think is all important.
What about us? Who do we spend most our time thinking about? Whose needs are always on our mind? Isnât it usually ourselves? But what is Mary telling us? Mary is our spiritual mother, and she is saying to us, as she said to her son, âDonât forget those who have a more pressing need than you do. Remember to remember others. How can you be of help?â âfrom the book Nourishing Love: A Franciscan Celebration of Mary |
Experience St. Anthony's
gift of finding what is lost! Spend seven consecutive days letting St. Anthony of Padua guide you to finding yourself and your way to God! |
Anna the Prophetess Reflect Prophetesses are not often discussed in biblical discussions, however, St. Anna the Prophetess deserves some notice. She was a longtime widow who was prayerful, elderly, devoted to God, and recognized Christ when he was presented at the Temple! Many thought-provoking details are packed into a short passage! â[Anna the Prophetess] gave thanks to God and spoke about the childâ (Lk 2:38). Pray St. Anna the Prophetess,
Please pray for me, that I might bear lifeâs difficulties with trust.
Pray that I might keep a steady devotion to God.
Pray that I might recognize Christ in my life.
Ask God that I might share his glory with others however I can.
Amen. Act Consider reading St. Anna the Prophetessâ short story within the Presentation at the Temple narrative in the Bible (Lk 2:22, 36â38). You might want to read a handful of preceding verses to enrich an understanding of the setting. How might you connect to St. Annaâs story? How might you let her life create a bit of a shift in yours? Today's Pause+Pray was written by Theresa Doyle-Nelson. Learn more here! |
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