1 Franciscan Way

After people line up for the midnight shows and new releases, newspapers, blogs and magazines abound with reviews.   In keeping with my theory that we should meet the new Roman Missal with even greater energy and enthusiasm, what follows is my ‘review’ of my first experience of praying with the New Roman Missal. I’ve been Catholic all of my life, attending Sunday Mass from the womb and daily Mass for over ten years, but yesterday felt like the first time.   Even the priest who was celebrating the Mass noted that he was nervous and felt the same way that he did when he celebrated his first mass almost 20 years ago. This weekend, we all met the new English translation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal head on.   No more practice and preparation sessions…this was the real deal and will be the real deal for generations to come.   I have been more excited than most people (some would even say I bordered on fanatical) and have spent a great deal of time in study ...

How can I make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for me?  The cup of salvation I will raise and I will call upon the name of the Lord.  - Psalm 116:3-4 Gratitude is the memory of the heart.  When we recall and recognize all that God has done for us and in us, we are moved to respond to Him and desire to give back.  Like the blind man who received his sight and responded by following Christ (Matthew 20:34), those of us who have embraced teh Evangelical Counsels also offer ourselves in following Him in gratitude for all that He has given us.  We raise the cup of salvation, the chalice of sacrifice, in poverty, chastity and obedience. Gratitude is the key which unlocks the vows and helps us to remain faithful.  The paradox is that our gift to Him is really in His gift to us through this way of life, because in it, His life becomes our life. In poverty, gratitude opens our hands.  It allows us to give and receive, to truly live our ...

"Fans line up for midnight shows."  "Gamers fired up for midnight release."  These headlines are familiar to us in a culture that thrives on novelty.  People get excited about the upcoming release of a movie or video game to such a degree that they camp out for hours, some in costume to get tickets or to be among the first to obtain a copy of a virtual experience, to feel as if they are, in some way, participating in it.  What is underlying motivation of these individuals?  Is it a hunger for something that is beyond them?  Is it a desire to escape from their mundane lives and enter into something great? I hate to break it to them, but it is not possible to become a part of 'Harry Potter' or 'Star Wars' just by showing up and dressing like a character, nor to be any more than a virtual player in HALO 3.  There is another new release on the horizon that is different. This new release allows for time travel, active participation in a transformation...

"All for the greater honor of God and for the salvation of our souls!"  This prayer is the kickoff for the beginning of our day.  It is an offering to God that everything may be done for Him.  I offer all of myself, that I am 20 years old, from Lake St. Louis, MO and I am now Sister M. Caterina, a Sister of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George.  And Christ is calling me and all of my Sisters to make His merciful love visible today. We can only do this by being totally open to His love.  When we received the habit and veil we were told, "Over these clothes, to keep them together and to complete them, put on love." (see Colossians 3:12-14)  It was by that love, that union of burning love for Christ that drew me to the example and life of St. Catherine of Siena.  Sancta Caterina said, "If you are who you should be you will set the world on fire!"  Christ's love for her upon the Cross totally consumed her.  She was emptied of everything earthly,...