November 6, 2024

Dear John,

The Pause+Pray and Minute Meditation today are beautiful reminders of how we practice our faith, even in the most difficult situations. If you found them helpful, you will likely cherish the Catholic Family Advent book and daily email and video series this season. Author Susan Hines-Brigger and I walk with you on an Advent journey that is simple, but boundless, in how meaningful it becomes for you and your family.

Check out what Susan and I have put together for you this Advent season. And, learn more about this booklet and getting automatically signed up for our daily Advent series with you here.

We love you and pray for you daily at Franciscan Media. This Advent, join me and Susan to have the best Catholic Family Advent that is simple yet full of hope and love. Each day's offering will bring you and your family together, even if just for 5 minutes I look forward to sharing this season with you!

Peace,

Patty Crawford

Marketing, Director

SAINT OF THE DAY

Saint of the Day for November 6: Nicholas Tavelic and Companions

(1340 – November 14, 1391)

Listen to Saint Nicholas Tavelic and Companions’ Story Here

Nicholas and his three companions are among the 158 Franciscans who have been martyred in the Holy Land since the friars became custodians of the shrines in 1335.

Nicholas was born in 1340 to a wealthy and noble family in Croatia. He joined the Franciscans, and was sent with Deodat of Rodez to preach in Bosnia. In 1384, they volunteered for the Holy Land missions and were sent there. They looked after the holy places, cared for the Christian pilgrims, and studied Arabic.

In 1391, Nicholas, Deodat, Peter of Narbonne, and Stephen of Cuneo decided to take a direct approach to converting the Muslims. On November 11, they went to the huge Mosque of Omar in Jerusalem and asked to see the Qadix—Muslim official. Reading from a prepared statement, they said that all people must accept the gospel of Jesus. When they were ordered to retract their statement, they refused. After beatings and imprisonment, they were beheaded before a large crowd.

Nicholas and his companions were canonized in 1970. They are the only Franciscans martyred in the Holy Land to be canonized. Their liturgical feast is celebrated on November 14.

Reflection

Francis presented two missionary approaches for his friars. Nicholas and his companions followed the first approach—live quietly and give witness to Christ—for several years. Then they felt called to take the second approach of preaching openly. Their Franciscan confrères in the Holy Land are still working by example to make Jesus better known.

MINUTE MEDITATIONS

Live and Let Go

Humility is the hallmark spiritual virtue of letting go. It’s an open-minded, openhearted, openhanded way to move through the world. To be humble is to make room for life as it comes, without the need to grasp too tightly, even (and especially) to certainty. This kind of attitude is what keeps your vision from clouding up and occluding. No one manages this perfectly, of course. That’s why life seems all too willing to deal us periodic humiliations that knock down our towers of Babel and drop us back onto the ground of our being: the truth that we are held in divine and loving hands, without being able to do anything to deserve or ruin it.

In other words, the spirituality of letting go, or humility, or however you want to describe it, is ultimately a way of believing and living that reminds us at every turn that it’s about realities far larger, deeper, more mysterious, and more wonderful than ourselves.

—from the book Making Room: Soul-Deep Satisfaction through Simple Living
by Kyle Kramer

Are you looking for a simple way to have a more meaningful Advent season with your family, youth group, or friends? Look no further!

Join author, Susan Hines-Brigger, and mom, Patty Crawford, on this daily Advent journey.

PAUSE+PRAY

Learn to Forgive

Reflect

When we are wronged, offering forgiveness is not often our natural response. Yet God asks us to forgive—not for empty piety, but to help our souls heal. May this prayer aid you in the work of your heart.

Pray

Holy Spirit, be a comforter in my wounded places.
Where I have been painfully wronged
grant me the grace to extend forgiveness.
Help me create the boundaries I need to continue to love
without allowing myself to be hurt in the same way again.
I pray I may be whole and free and able to forgive.
Amen.

Act

Who do you need to forgive? Use this prayer to help you extend forgiveness while discerning what the repaired relationship might look like.

Today's Pause+Pray was written by Shannon K. Evans. Learn more here!

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