Dear John, Good morning, good people! Did you know that every morning we gather virtually at Franciscan Media to pray? We offer up our prayers to our audience: subscribers, customers, donors, and contributors. But we also pray for those who toil in hazardous conditions—and whose work make our day-to-day lives possible. In today's Advent meditation, we learn about how Father Adolph Kolping tried to fortify the faith lives of workers in industrialized nations. In the face of constant change, he reminded people of something unchanging: God's love. In Father Kolping's life, he tried to rebuild the Church through his ministry, to bring God's grace into the lives of believers the world over. At Franciscan Media, we seek to fortify the faith lives of our own audience. Without our generous supporters, this work is not possible. Simply put: There is no Franciscan Media without you. This is the 23rd day of our Rebuilding God’s Church, $125K match campaign that will run through Easter of next year! Click here to learn more. May this season of hopeful anticipation bring you closer to our loving God. |
Deacon Matthew Halbach, PhD
President & Publisher, Franciscan Media
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Saint of the Day for December 3:
Saint Francis Xavier (April 7, 1506 – December 3, 1552) Listen to Saint Francis Xavier’s Story here Jesus asked, “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Matthew 16:26a). The words were repeated to a young teacher of philosophy who had a highly promising career in academics, with success and a life of prestige and honor before him. Francis Xavier, 24 at the time, and living and teaching in Paris, did not heed these words at once. They came from a good friend, Ignatius of Loyola, whose tireless persuasion finally won the young man to Christ. Francis then made the spiritual exercises under the direction of Ignatius, and in 1534, joined his little community, the infant Society of Jesus. Together at Montmartre they vowed poverty, chastity, obedience, and apostolic service according to the directions of the pope. From Venice, where he was ordained a priest in 1537, Xavier went on to Lisbon and from there sailed to the East Indies, landing at Goa, on the west coast of India. For the next 10 years he labored to bring the faith to such widely scattered peoples as the Hindus, the Malayans, and the Japanese. He spent much of that time in India, and served as provincial of the newly established Jesuit province of India. Wherever he went, Xavier lived with the poorest people, sharing their food and rough accommodations. He spent countless hours ministering to the sick and the poor, particularly to lepers. Very often he had no time to sleep or even to say his breviary but, as we know from his letters, he was filled always with joy. Xavier went through the islands of Malaysia, then up to Japan. He learned enough Japanese to preach to simple folk, to instruct, and to baptize, and to establish missions for those who were to follow him. From Japan he had dreams of going to China, but this plan was never realized. Before reaching the mainland, he died. His remains are enshrined in the Church of Good Jesus in Goa. He and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux were declared co-patrons of the missions in 1925. Reflection All of us are called to “go and preach to all nations—see Matthew 28:19. Our preaching is not necessarily on distant shores but to our families, our children, our husband or wife, our coworkers. And we are called to preach not with words, but by our everyday lives. Only by sacrifice, the giving up of all selfish gain, could Francis Xavier be free to bear the Good News to the world. Sacrifice is leaving yourself behind at times for a greater good, the good of prayer, the good of helping someone in need, the good of just listening to another. The greatest gift we have is our time. Francis Xavier gave his to others. Saint Francis Xavier is a Patron Saint of: Japan
Jewelers
Missions
Sailors |
We're thankful for YOU! Please consider donating today for Giving Tuesday, to help Rebuild God's Church! |
Advent with the Saints: Adolph Kolping My hometown of Cincinnati has a German flavor, thanks to thousands of immigrants who arrived in the nineteenth century. Their homeland was undergoing many changes as factories and industry grew. The dignity of workers and the sanctity of family were threatened. In the late 1840s, a German priest, Father Adolph Kolping, began a society that soon spread around the world and still flourishes today, with many thousands of members. The “Kolping Society,” as it is popularly known, seeks to emphasize the dignity of human work and support family life. It envisions a world based on God’s heavenly reign, described in today’s first reading. In Isaiah’s beautiful description of God’s dream for the world, God’s sevenfold gifts are given to the Messiah. We see these traits of wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, wonder, and awe as the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit,” present in Jesus. These gifts are promised to us by Christ; we celebrate the gifts of the Spirit in the sacraments. In today’s Gospel we are invited to share the life he has with the Father and to be part of their intimate relationship. Adolph Kolping sought to promote the benefits of that life-giving relationship in human society, where God’s dream of a peaceful, harmonious world, can come true. —adapted from the book Advent with the Saints: Daily Reflections
by Greg Friedman, OFM |
Supporting Mental Health Reflect Each time someone speaks out about his or her struggles with mental health, this disease—yes, it is a disease—comes out into the light a little bit more. We still have a long way to go before it gets the attention and treatment needed, but at least we are moving forward. Pray Lord, there are so many of our brothers and sisters who are struggling
and feeling as if they have no one to turn to.
Unfortunately, sometimes they see no other answer than to end the pain
by taking their own lives.
Help them remember that not only are they a beloved child of yours
and you are always by their side,
but there is also help available to them as they travel through dark times. Act Call a friend and just listen. Focus more on what they have to say than what you want to say. You may be exactly what that person needs at that time. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Susan Hines-Brigger. Learn more here! |
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