Our Saint of the Day knew from experience that the lives of Christians sometimes greatly hinder the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 🙏
July 17, 2024
Hello John,
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Francis Solano was a compassionate and selfless Franciscan friar who dedicated his life to helping others. He was known for his care of the sick and his efforts to defend indigenous peoples from oppression. His legacy of compassion lives on to this day.
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Francis came from a leading family in Andalusia, Spain. Perhaps it was his popularity as a student that enabled Francis in his teens to stop two duelists. He entered the Friars Minor in 1570, and after ordination enthusiastically sacrificed himself for others. His care for the sick during an epidemic drew so much admiration that he became embarrassed and asked to be sent to the African missions. Instead he was sent to South America in 1589.
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While working in what is now Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay, Francis quickly learned the local languages and was well received by the indigenous peoples. His visits to the sick often included playing a song on his violin.
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Around 1601, he was called to Lima, Peru, where he tried to recall the Spanish colonists to their baptismal integrity. Francis also worked to defend the indigenous peoples from oppression. He died in Lima in 1610 and was canonized in 1726. His liturgical feast is celebrated on July 14.
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Reflection
Francis Solano knew from experience that the lives of Christians sometimes greatly hinder the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Francis lived an exemplary life himself, and urged his fellow Spaniards to make their lives worthy of their baptisms.
Among all the voices that surround and beckon us, we need to discern the unique cadence of God’s voice. And we have a number of principles that come to us from Jesus, from Scripture, and from the deep wells of our Christian tradition that can help us discern God’s voice among the multitude of voices that beckon us:
The voice of God is recognized both in whispers, and in thunder and in storm.
The voice of God is recognized in the call to what’s higher and invites us to holiness, even as it is recognized in the call to humility.
The voice of God is the one that most challenges and stretches us, even as it is the only voice that ultimately soothes and comforts us.
The voice of God always invites us to live beyond all fear, even as it inspires holy fear.
The voice of God is always heard wherever there is genuine enjoyment and gratitude, even as it asks us to deny ourselves and die to ourselves.
Ilia Delio, OSF, shows how the Franciscan way can offer all Christians an intimate and wholehearted approach to prayer. Franciscan Prayer: Awakening to Oneness with God
Today, reflect on this passage where the word firstfruits appears: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:20). What images, thoughts, and feelings arise pondering Christ as the firstfruit?
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Pray
God, I thank you for the bounty of all you have given me, especially how your words reveal the beauty and mystery of Christ. There’s abundance—infinite abundance—in all you offer. Even with one single word, like fruit, you can fill me.
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Act
As you go through your day, notice what words of comfort and faith you are drawn to. “Steadfast,” “mercy,” “Magnificat.” There are so many—a windfall that keeps nourishing us.
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Today's Pause+Pray was written by Maureen O'Brien. Learn more here!
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