How St. Francis Was Conformed to the Passion of Christ – Sep 17 – Homily – Fr Jacinto

Fr Jacinto Chapin Chapin gives the homily, on how St. Francis of Assisi's deep devotion to the passion of Christ led to his miraculous reception of the stigmata, inspiring all Christians to generously embrace their daily crosses in conformity with Christ crucified.

Celebrating the Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi, this homily reflects on how the saint lived the apostle Paul’s words: “I bear the brand marks of Jesus in my body” (Galatians 6:17) and “I have been crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). From his early conversion at San Damiano to his daily meditation on the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption, St. Francis cultivated a heart filled with deep compassion for the suffering of Jesus.

In 1224, during a forty-day retreat on Mount La Verna, St. Francis received a vision of the crucified Lord and was left marked with the stigmata—becoming the first person in history documented to bear Christ's wounds visibly in his flesh. This miraculous gift rewarded Francis's generous response to the Savior's call.

While faithful Christians today may not receive physical stigmata, all are called to achieve perfection by embracing their own daily crosses. These crosses manifest through voluntary daily penances or involuntary hardships, such as illness, exhaustion, and interpersonal annoyances. As taught in the Gospel, anyone who wishes to follow Jesus must deny themselves and take up their cross daily (Luke 9:23). Driven by the truth that "the love of Christ urges us" (2 Corinthians 5:14), believers are encouraged to unite their daily suffering with the Lord, following in the holy footsteps of St. Francis and all the saints.

Pope Benedict XVI 2007 – St. Paul's stigmata and suffering from Baptism save rather than circumcision. – https://airmaria.com/go/4baKSj
Pope John Paul II 1993 – Saint Francis sets an example by glorying strictly in Christ's cross. – https://airmaria.com/go/cdnuJq
Pope Benedict XVI 2010 – Francis prioritized personal preaching while delegating administrative duties... – https://airmaria.com/go/wuQciJ
Pope John Paul II 1993 – The sanctuary serves as a tangible reminder of Saint Francis's contemplation. – https://airmaria.com/go/e7kw2F
Pope Paul VI 187 – Believers must embrace difficult paths by returning to authentic Christian sp... – https://airmaria.com/go/z2Hk6Q

Galatians 6:14 – Boasting only in the cross of Christ – https://airmaria.com/go/JCDPMb
Luke 9:23 – Taking up the cross daily for Jesus – https://airmaria.com/go/DS8Rga
Galatians 2:20 – Living by faith while crucified with Christ – https://airmaria.com/go/Kw5kZr
CCC 618 – Participating in Christ's redeeming sacrifice through suffering – https://airmaria.com/go/D9h5Jt
CCC 2015 – Spiritual perfection requires union with Christ's cross – https://airmaria.com/go/MzmghR

00:00 - Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis
01:05 - Bearing the Marks of Christ
02:06 - Conversion at San Damiano
03:37 - The Vision on Mount La Verna
05:20 - Conforming Ourselves to Christ
06:58 - Embracing Everyday Crosses
07:34 - St. Francis' Final Words and Gospel Call

Ave Maria!
Mass: Stigmata of St. Francis - Feast - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14294b.htm
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/091726.cfm
1st: Galatians 6:14-18 - Boasting in the Cross
Resp: Galatians 2:16, 20 - Faith and Works
Gsp: Luke 9:23-26 - Conditions of Discipleship

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=709

Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Z7jTal4Ss