Eucharistic Fraternity OFS

Love this Halloween costume !

Happy Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi! Mass was celebrated at Sancta Clara Monastery this morning by Fr. John Paul, a Capuchin Franciscan friar. He gave a beautiful homily which celebrated the life of St. Francis and his establishment of the three orders of the Franciscan family: Franciscan Friars / Priests (1st order), Poor Clare nuns (2nd order ), and Secular Franciscans (3rd order). All three orders were represented at today’s mass. It was a beautiful celebration of the life of St. Francis.

St. Francis of Assisi Pray for us!

If interested in learning more about St. Francis, please see the information below from “Laudate”.

“Great and glorious God, my Lord Jesus Christ! I implore Thee to enlighten me and to disperse the darkness of my soul. Give me true faith, firm hope, and perfect charity. Grant me, O Lord, to know Thee so well that in all things I may act by Thy light and in accordance with Thy holy will. Amen.”
-St. Francis of Assisi

Biography:
Son of Pietro Bernadone, a rich cloth merchant. Though he had a good education and became part of his father's business, he also had a somewhat misspent youth. Street brawler and some-time soldier. Captured during a conflict between Assisi and Perugia, Italy, he spent over a year as a prisoner of war. During this time he had a conversion experience, including a reported message from Christ calling him to leave this worldly life. Upon release, Francis began taking his faith seriously.

He took the Gospels as the rule of his life, Jesus Christ as his literal example. He dressed in rough clothes, begged for his sustenance, and preached purity and peace. His family disapproved, and his father disinherited him; Francis formally renounced his wealth and inheritance. He visited hospitals, served the sick, preached in the streets, and took all men and women as siblings. He began to attract followers in 1209, and with papal blessing, founded the Franciscans based on a simple statment by Jesus: "Leave all and follow me." In 1212 Clare of Assisi became his spiritual student, which led to the founding of the Poor Clares. Visited and preached to the Saracens. Composed songs and hymns to God and nature. Lived with animals, worked with his hands, cared for lepers, cleaned churches, and sent food to thieves. In 1221 he resigned direction of the Franciscans.

While in meditation on Mount Alvernia in the Apennines in September 1224, Francis received the stigmata, which periodically bled during the remaining two years of his life. This miracle has a separate memorial on 17 September.

In the Middle Ages people who believed to be possessed by Beelzebub especially called upon the intercession of Saint Francis, the theory being that he was the demon's opposite number in heaven.

Born:
1181 at Assisi, Umbria, Italy as Francis Bernardone

Died:
• 4 October 1226 at Portiuncula, Italy of natural causes
• relics in Assisi, Italy

Canonized:
16 July 1228 by Pope Gregory IX

Some writings of St. Francis:

Alms are an inheritance and a justice which is due to the poor and which Jesus has levied upon us. - Saint Francis of Assisi

Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society. - Saint Francis of Assisi

O God, Who, through the merits of blessed Francis, magnifies Your church, enriching it anew with spiritual offspring: make us, like him, to disdain the goods of earth, nor at any time to lack the comforting gifts of heaven. - Roman Missal

It was through his archangel, Saint Gabriel, that the Father above made known to the the holy and glorious Virgin Mary that the worthy, holy and glorious Word of the Father would come from heaven and take from her womb the real flesh of our human frailty. Though he was wealthy beyond reckoning, he still willingly chose to be poor with his blessed mother. And shortly before his passion he celebrated the Passover with his disciples. Then he prayed to his Father saying: "Father, if it be possible, let this cup be taken from me." Nevertheless, he reposed his will in the will of his Father. The Father willed that his blessed and glorious Son, whom he gave to us and who was born for us, should through his own blood offer himself as a sacrificial victim on the altar of the cross. This was to be done not for himself through whom all things were made, but for our sins. It was intended to leave us an example of how to follow in his footsteps. And he desires all of us to be saved through him, and to receive him with pure heart and chaste body. Let us also love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us have charity and humility. Let us give alms because these cleanse our souls from the stains of sin. Men lose all the material things they leave behind them in this world, but they carry with them the reward of their charity and the alms they give. For these they will receive from the Lord the reward and recompense they deserve. We must not be wise according to the flesh. Rather we must be simple, humble and pure. We should never desire to be over others. Instead, we ought to be servants who are submissive to every human being for God's sake. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on all who live in this way and persevere in it to the end. He will permanently dwell in them. They will be the Father's children who do his work. - from a letter written to all the faithful by Saint Francis of Assisi

Jesus is happy to come with us, as truth is happy to be spoken, as life to be lived, as light to be lit, as love is to be loved, as joy to be given, as peace to be spread. - Saint Francis of Assisi

Praised be my Lord and God, with all His creatures, and especially our brother the sun, who brings us the day and brings us the light; fair is he, and he shines with great splendor. O Lord, he is a sign to us of you! Praised be my Lord for our sister the moon, and for this stars, set clear and lovely in the heaven. - Saint Francis

Eucharistic Fraternity of Secular Franciscans held their annual retreat September 22-24 at the Loyola Retreat House in Clinton. It was led by our Spiritual Advisor, Father Nicholas Mancini. It was a wonderful time spent together in prayer and fellowship.

Wednesday, October 4th, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 129 W. Park Ave, Niles Ohio @ 6:30pm. Everyone and their pets, of course, is welcome.

Please help support the Poor Clare nuns of Sancta Clara Monastery in Canton, Ohio.

Two weeks to go before our Hall of Fame Fundraiser! For more details and to RSVP please go to https://bidpal.net/2023sanctaclarafun. God bless and thank you in advance for your continued support of our way of life.

The Miraculous Story Behind the Shoulder Wound of Jesus | uCatholic "I had on My Shoulder while I bore My Cross on the Way of Sorrows, a grievous Wound which was more painful than the others, and which is not recorded by men."

There is no person closer to Jesus than our Blessed Mother. Her prayers are very powerful. As Saint Padre Pio says, “Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today.”

The Rosary is not a prayer of vain repetitions, but very scriptural, and a beautiful meditation on the mysteries of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Rosary is not Mary-centered but Christ-centered. Each bead you touch is like holding the gentle hand of our Blessed Mother as she walks you through the Gospels, and leads you closer to her Son.

Nobody loved Mary more than Jesus did. We honor Him more by loving His holy mother. “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” Saint Maximilian Kolbe

Mary’s soul always magnifies the Lord. If you want to grow closer to Christ, and develop a deep personal relationship with Him, pray the rosary every day. It's a very powerful prayer during these times, and will bring you peace.

Today is the Solemnity of The Body and Blood of Christ in which we celebrate the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. A Eucharistic Procession took place after Mass at Sancta Clara Monastery. It has been a tradition at the monastery, a place where the Poor Clare Sisters of Perpetual Adoration pray before the Eucharistic Lord every day. They pray for many individuals who ask for prayers and for the world. God has blessed us here in Canton with this wonderful community and beautiful monastery.

Congratulations to Susan Shearer, OFS and Greg Hicks, OFS, on their profession as Secular Franciscans and members of the Eucharistic Fraternity of Canton, Ohio. The Rite of Profession took place during Mass on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Sancta Clara Monastery in Canton, Ohio. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Nicholas Mancini, OFS, along with Msgr. Jay Clark, Fr. Tom Cebula and Fr. James Korda. A reception followed at Sancta Clara Monastery. Thank you to the Poor Clare Sisters for allowing us to celebrate at their beautiful monastery. Many blessings to Greg and Susie as they follow in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi!

Wishing everyone a Blessed and Joyful Easter.

On March 11, 2023, the Eucharistic Fraternity of Secular Franciscans from Canton, Ohio celebrated a Day of Recollection at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson, Ohio. We enjoyed a wonderful day of prayer, ongoing formation, discussion and fellowship led by our Spiritual Assistant Fr. Nicholas Mancini, OFS. Chorbishop Anthony Spinosa gave an informative presentation on the history of the shrine. The day ended with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Maronite Rite) celebrated by Chorbishop Spinosa.

Father Cedric Pisegna

The Eucharistic Fraternity of Secular Franciscans in Canton, Ohio held their annual retreat at Loyola Retreat Center in August. We had a wonderful experience praying together and learning about Pope John XXIII, a fellow Franciscan. We also had a great time making s’mores at the fire pit and walking the beautiful grounds. Thank you to our spiritual advisor Fr. Nicholas Mancini for leading all of us during this special time together.

Twenty-Five to be Commissioned Lay Leaders of Prayer Press Release | Twenty-five men and women from around the diocese will be commissioned as Lay Leaders of Prayer on November 16, 2022.

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