today's readings are Galatians 1: 13-24; Psalm 139 and Lk. 10: 38-42
This past weekend at our parish particular honour was given to one the Church's most beloved women saints, St. Therese of Lisieux. Today we have the opportunity to celebrated one of its most beloved male saints, St. Francis of Assisi, whose ministry encompassed the first part of the 13th century.
Stories, books, and films about Francis abound. Just like Therese, he too was born into a family of comfortable means. He too, like Therese, then walked away from such comfort to follow Jesus Christ and serve His Church.
Just a few things to mention about Francis - he was a servant of the poor, who truly became one of the poor, by embracing poverty fully, solely relying on alms to sustain himself and his followers. Secondly, he was a teacher - he was the one who developed the first nativity scene to teach people in a very visual way the story of the birth of Jesus. He taught through his canticles, such as the famous Brother Sun and Sister Moon, that great canticle of the glory of God's creation. He taught also by the example of his life, which was exemplified by his famous maxim to his followers:
preach always, and if necessary, use words.
Finally, Francis was a man of zeal and faith, a faith so strong that he was gifted with the stigmata in his final years.
St. Francis, pray for us.