Dear John,
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Saint of the Day for September 6: Claudio Granzotto (August 23, 1900 – August 15, 1947) Blessed Claudio Granzotto’s Story Born in Santa Lucia del Piave near Venice, Claudio was the youngest of nine children and was accustomed to hard work in the fields. At the age of 9, he lost his father. Six years later, he was drafted into the Italian army, where he served more than three years. His artistic abilities, especially in sculpture, led to studies at Venice’s Academy of Fine Arts, which awarded him a diploma with the highest marks in 1929. Even then he was especially interested in religious art. When Claudio entered the Friars Minor four years later, his parish priest wrote, “The Order is receiving not only an artist but a saint.” Prayer, charity to the poor, and artistic work characterized his life which was cut short by a brain tumor. He died on the feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1947, and was beatified in 1994. His liturgical feast is celebrated on March 23. Reflection Claudio developed into such an excellent sculptor that his work still turns people toward God. No stranger to adversity, he met every obstacle courageously, reflecting the generosity, faith, and joy that he learned from Francis of Assisi.
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Join us on a journey to Experience Padre Pio starting September 13! Registration deadline is September 11. |
Serenity of Faith, Tranquility of Soul Padre Pio to Raffaelina Cerase, June 24, 1915: Let us turn our thoughts to heaven, our true home—earth is only its shadow. May the reasons of faith and the comfort of Christian hope always sustain you in your suffering, and as you remember these, the bitterness of your trial will be sweetened by the heavenly Father with the balm of his goodness and mercy. In addition to the goodness and mercy of the heavenly Father,… faith counsels us and spurs us on to have recourse to insistent but humble prayer with the firm hope of being heard, confident in the promise the divine Master gives us: “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will opened to you” [Matthew 7:7], and, “If you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name” [John 16:23]. Yes, let us pray, let us always pray in the serenity of our faith and with tranquility of soul. —from the book Padre Pio’s Spiritual Direction for Every Day
by Gianluigi Pasquale and Marsha Daigle-Williamson, Ph.D |
Experience a deeper understanding of St. Padre Pio! |
Experiencing God in the Great Outdoors Reflect There is a part of God’s self that can only be communicated to us through nature. Accept the invitation to experience our Creator in the great outdoors. What do you see, hear, taste, smell, and touch that speaks to you of the holy? Pray O Divine Presence,
make me attentive to the
ways you speak to me
through nature and all life forms.
Help me prioritize communing with you
in the great cathedral of the outdoors,
knowing that you reveal yourself here
in ways ever fresh and new.
I pray for eyes to see you, hands to touch you,
and lungs to breathe you in,
every step I take.
Amen. Act Carve out extra time today to take a walk and enjoy the presence of God outside. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Shannon K. Evans. Learn more here! |
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