1 Franciscan Way

Today Pope Francis spoke to Seminarians, Novices and those discerning their vocations.  Are you one of those mentioned?  Even if you are not, Pope Francis' words remind us of the joy of consolation, being conformed to the Cross of Jesus and remaining rooted in prayer.  Below are a few quotes or you can read the whole text: "Today the word of God speaks to us of mission.  Where does mission originate?  The answer is simple:  it originates from a call, the Lord's call, and when he calls people, he does so with a view to sending them out.  But how is the one sent out meant to live?  What are the reference points of Christian mission?  The readings we have heard suggest three:  the joy of consolation, the Cross and prayer. ...Dear seminarians, dear novices, dear young people discerning your vocations:  'evangelization is done on one's knees', as one of you said to me the other day.  Always be men and women of prayer!  Without a constant relationship with God,

The past few days I have witnessed three men place their gifts at the service of the Lord.  I was privileged to journey with them during their stay at St. Francis Convent.  They are the crew for producing the Light of Love film with Imagine Sisters . It is humbling as religious to receive such support and encouragement for our way of life.  If you have not heard, Imagine Sisters with Lighthouse Catholic Media and Lumen Vere are producing a film about religious women.  The crew of three men are traveling to religious communities now and the goal for release is September 8th.  You can read more about the film and their needs. What a witness they were to me of joy, humility and hard work!  They are using their gifts from the Father for His glory.  Please keep them and this project in your prayers!

          Korea, 1953:  A group of newly freed POW camp survivors are finally released after over two years of captivity that was a daily struggle for survival against disease, malnutrition, fear, and the threat of despair.  It would have been understandable if they had left this place empty-handed, without a second glance back after all they had suffered there.  However, a small group of determined American soldiers would not leave the camp without two remembrances: a gold ciborium and a crucifix carved in honor of the man who led them through their terrible imprisonment:  a priest who tried to live as Christ did, a man for others.             Father Emil Kapaun was a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas, who served as a military chaplain during World War II and the Korean War.  His story has recently become more known because his cause for canonization is being examined and he posthumously received the Medal of Honor this year.  I recently had the opportunity to read a biog