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Homily #110802l ( 11min) Play – On the feast of St. Mary of the Angels Fr. Peter Fehlner explains the importance of the Portiuncula Chapel in Assisi where St. Francis started his order and saw it grow. Father explains this in relation to the plenary indulgence that the Pope gave to the chapel. He also mentions the indulgence given to the church where Father was preaching at the National Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe where a plenary indulgence can be received on several occasions during the year.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Our Lady of the Angels of the Portiuncula – Feast – Form: OF
Readings:
1st: sir 24:1-4, 16, 22-24
Resp: psa 34:5, 7, 9-10, 18-19
2nd: gal 4:3-7
Gsp: luk 1:26-33

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Roving Reporter #120 – First Holy Mass of 4 New FI Priests, celebrated at Assisi ( 13min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

This is the first Holy Mass celebrated by the newly-ordained FI priests, Fr. Alan Bernardino Wharton (USA), Fr. Vincent Michael Egbu (Nigeria), Fr. Giles Joseph Mary Atherton (Australia), and Fr. Vincent d’Elia (Italy). Our new priests had the privilege of celebrating at the Sanctuary of the Portziuncola in Assisi in the same edifice in which Saint Francis himself entrusted the Order of the Friars Minor into the hands of Our Lady some 800 years ago. The Mass was celebrated on March 26, 2011, the day after their holy ordinations at Tarquinia in Italy, and we ask that you remember these new servants of our Lord in your prayers. (more…)

Marian Shrines of the World #9 – St. Mary of the Angels of the Portiuncula ( 7 min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

August 2nd is the feast day of St. Mary of the Angels of the Portiuncula, near Assisi, Italy. It was this small church which St. Francis rebuilt and where he established his first community of followers. Join Fr. Andre as he details the story of this beautiful Marian Shrine.

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Homily #110524 ( 12min) Play – Today we Franciscans celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi as a feast. Fr. Bonaventure preaches on the greatness of St Francis and the importance of reverencing holy places and church buildings. He stresses how this is not idolatry as some would claim or a waist of money as others say, but rather celebrating what God can do when He gives extraordinary gifts of grace to His saints and how we should imitate St. Francis in his reverence for churches, winning many of these same graces.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Dedication of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi – Feast – Form: OF
Readings:
1st: rev 21:1-5
Resp: psa 95:1-7
Gsp: joh 10:22-30

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Pope Benedict XVI condemned anti-Christian violence, persecution and discrimination, along with all religious intolerance, in a New Year’s appeal that came just hours after a bomb exploded outside a Coptic church in Alexandria, Egypt as worshippers left Mass, killing more than 20 people.

In addition to appeals to political leaders to take concrete steps to end religious discrimination, the Holy Father issued an invitation to leaders of all the world’s religions to meet with him in Assisi this coming October to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1st World Day of Prayer for Peace.

via Pope invites leaders of the world’s religions to Assisi, to pray for peace.

Homily #101004 ( 07min) Play – On the feast of St Francis of Assisi Fr. Dominic preaches on how the founder of our order was the great rebuilder of the Church at a time when it was crumbling. All Franciscans are called to carry on this work as did many Franciscan saints like Bonaventure, Anthony, Padre Pio and many more.
Ave Maria! Our Holy Father Francis – Mass: OF, – Readings:
1st: sir 50:1, 3-4, 6-7
Resp: psa 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11
2nd: gal 6:14-18
Gsp: mat 11:25-30

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Homily #100416 ( 05min) Play – Fr Ignatius preaches on the blessings that we have in Pope Benedict, how he has been acclaimed as perhaps the greatest theologian pope in the history of the Church. His encyclical Caritas et Veritate is so sensible as a world plan for peace, social justice and prosperity that one wonders why he is being targeted by the global mass media. Father relates this to today’s Gospel:

14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words: going forth out of that house or city shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Amen I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Ave Maria! Votive Mass of St Francis of Assisi – Mass: EF, – Readings: 1st: sir 50:1-, 3-7 – Gsp: mat 10:7–15

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Homily #091116 ( 06min) Play – St Agnes of Assisi followed her sister St Clare who had already followed the example of St Francis to embrace the Seraphic Spirit of love of God, humility, and detachment from things.
Ave Maria! Readings EF – 1st: 2co 10:17-2 – Gsp: mat 25:1-13

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Homily #091004 ( 23min) Play – Today is the Feast of St Francis of Assisi (New Advent), the Poverello, who is the founder of the Franciscan Orders and so his feast supersedes Sunday’s liturgy at our Franciscan friary. Fr. Bonaventure explains the importance of the love of poverty that was so central to St. Francis’ spirituality and how this relates to devotion to Christ and Mary and the importance of the incarnation and the bodily death of Christ and to the renewal of the Church in our materialistic times.
Ave Maria!

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Ave Maria Meditations

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Several years ago a priest friend of mine wrote the following mediation while setting up his manger scene and I would like to share it with you:

I think you should consider the words: “For unto you ….. ” in Luke 2:11. As I was putting up my nativity set these three words sprung out at me “For unto you … ” Yes Lord how I need your holy nativity. The visitation of Elizabeth and Mother Mary confirms life is precious in God’s eyes. You and I take our assigned places in God’s providence; mine to stand and offer the sacrifice of Christ’s blood and body for the remission of our sins.

Yet look how low the Son of God stooped to make our salvation possible.  A cave and a manger for the Lord of Glory to visit this sin cursed world!  A cave that only allows me to bow before his presence to enter in. I held the twig twisted manger that was to be the Lord’s bed. Even poor me, divested of all this world holds dear, is welcome to kneel and adore Jesus!            (more…)

Homily #081004 ( 00min) Play – On this feast day of St. Francis of Assisi celebrated as Solemnity here at the friary, Fr. Ignatius Manfredonia sheds light on this great lover God and Him Crucified.
Ave Maria!
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