Profiles in Catholicism
May 30, 201812 min
Updated: May 27, 2021
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
by Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
A Prayer for Children In Kenya Who Need HIV Drugs or They Will Die:
A friend of the editor, Gordon Nary, called Francis Otieno[1], lives in Africa and has been caring for children with HIV for many years. He is totally out of money which means that the children could die. Gordon is addressing this challenge in the June 1st issue of “Profiles in Catholicism”. Francis: “Nothing is too little to make a positive difference. Every dollar counts. Please send donations to PayPal:
Nyarambafutureinterventions@gmail.com
“Hoping against Hope” (cf. CCC, 1819)
A Prayer for Children Living in Poverty who Need HIV Drugs:
Lord, you know how much it cost to come to our aid:
To leave and to remain in the mystery of your dwelling in eternity;
The years of being in the family; working; going on pilgrimage; Walking; the friendships; wasting time with each one of us; the Miracles; the rejections; the celebrations that turned into a Crucifixion; the resurrection and the many visitations; and, in the end,
You have sent us the abiding presence of Your Holy Spirit.
Lord, you know how much is sealed in our pocket:
You know our choice of clothes; the bags and jewellery we buy; the Money we spend on “treats” and “sweets”, whether they are bigger Cars than we need; better dishwashers; bigger screens; longer Holidays; quicker and slicker phones; trainers with a trade name; Socks with a face; an outfit for climbing, running, and more – So
You sent us the Holy Spirit to loosen us from our baggage.
Lord, you know the neediness of those who need our help:
You know the help we need to understand being too poor to provide For orphans; to buy medicines; to buy the underclothes and other Helpful items we need; to pay for travel; school; school clothes; rent; Food; to support widows; to help the carers care; to keep in contact With each other; and to further the gifts of each and everyone here –
So send us the Holy Spirit to make it possible for us to be generous!
by Francis Etheredge, author of the forthcoming:
Within Reach of You: A Book of Prose and Prayers:
https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/withinreachofyou/
Prayer for the Victims of the Violence in the Middle East
Oh Lord, we join together with Pope Francis,
praying for an end to the conflict between Israel and the terrorist Hamas,
and between Israeli Jews and Palestinians.
We join together in prayer for all of the victims of this conflict,
men, women, parents,
and especially the children
who have died or been wounded.
May you take them into your infinite Love, Oh Lord,
and give them and their families peace
and hope for a better future for all.
Oh Lord, we pray that our country and other democracies
around the world
will be able to work together to help to end this terrible conflict
so that those who have been harmed
and the families of children who have been killed or hurt
may mourn and begin to heal
in a way that will ensure a peaceful resolution of this conflict
and find a path to lasting peace,
living together in harmony and community
rather than conflict.
by Dr. Eugene Fisher Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer for Unity
We are one
Give us the strength of mind and heart, with friendship by our side,
knowing we are not alone but in family love we are grounded and reside.
The power to meet the challenge of each and every day.
Is within us to endure and heal and overcome the pain no matter what they say.
Blessed are those who truly care and with us endure and take a stand
In oneness and in friendship will give a hug and hold our hand.
It is that love that holds us and makes us resilient, wise and strong,
With your inspiration Lord we can endure the pain until it is dead and gone.
We wait in your presence, Goodness and enduring love,
We see the freedom and embrace the light descending from above,
You give us faith and power to overcome,
We are together, as true family, we are one.
Amen
by Father Shay Cullen Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer for the Victims of the San Jose Shooting
Dear Lord
Welcome the souls of those who were murdered in San Jose and comforter their
families and friends. Please inspire our politicians to propose and pass effective legislation that will reduce and hopefully eliminate such incomprehensible crimes.
by Sarah Lyon Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer for Siluvaimuthu Lazer
Loving Lord,
Please welcome your loving servant Siluvaimuthu Lazer into your infinite loving embrace after dying from Covid-19. Pease comfort his son Alwinrex Lazar and all of his family for their loss and remind them that Siluvaimuthu is infinitely happy with the Lord whom he loves.
by Gordon Nary Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer for the Bishops and Priests have died from Covid 19 in Mexico
Good and Gracious God,
We ask you to bless the people of Mexico who have lost 5 bishops and 220 priest during the time of this pandemic. We ask you to bless them with your love in their seemingly unending pain. Help them to realize that you will stay with them and help them at this time and always.
We ask you to bless their country and all countries by providing the call to serve you, Lord, as a priest. Fill the hearts of young men with your love and desire to serve you as they continue on their journey in life. Bless all who live in the horror of this pandemic and rid it from us. We ask you this through Jesus Christ your Son, Our Lord
by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer to Prevent Antisemitism
Creator God, your Son, our brother Jesus, would have died in the
Holocaust because of the antisemitic attitudes that too many
Christians promoted since he was a faithful Jew. Keeping
in mind Jesus' strong rootage in Judaism and our many
failures in the past with regard to antisemitism we offer our prayer
and our support to our Jewish brothers and sisters as they face
yet another outbreak of this cancer in our body politic. Our
prayer today is a proclamation of solidarity and a
commitment to public action against this continuing scourge.
by Father John Pawlikowski,OSM Profiles in Catholicism
Interviews
Articles/Commentaries
All The Beauty I See
by Father John O'Brien, OFM Profiles in Catholicism
Matisse and the Chapel of the Rosary
by Father John O'Brien, OFM Profiles in Catholicism
Franciscan spiritual wisdom to navigate the 'digital continent'
by Daniel P. Horan National Catholic Reporter
Why the church should fight anti-transgender legislation
by Daniel P. Horan National Catholic Reporter
Biden administration's climate agenda reflects spirit of Laudato Si'
by Daniel P. Horan Earthbeat
From Fear to Love in Action
by Br. John Kiesler, OFM Mission Doctors Association
Franciscan leaders urge ‘boldness’ by U.S. to end violence in Holy Land
by Catholic News Service/Crux
‘We are all brothers,’ Franciscan in Jericho says of iftar gifts
by Judith Sudilovsky Catholic News Service
A Franciscan Capuchin Writes in Defense of Pope Francis - "Building Bridges"
by Brother Paul Coleman The Catholic World Report
Love is of God
by Sr. Maryann Mueller, CSSF Acting Franciscan
Conflicting loyalties: the Irish Franciscans and the English Crown in the High Middle Ages
by Anne Müller JSTOR
Franciscan University studying herd immunity, coronavirus
by Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
Marching for Human Rights
by Jocelyn Thomas Franciscan Friars Holy Name Provence
When beloved individualism runs into the common good
by Dan Misleh Franciscan Action Network
Franciscan friar named cardinal says he is taking a leap into the deep
by Courtney Mares Catholic News Agency
Franciscan, volunteers help homeless in Bogota survive pandemic
by Manuel Rued Crux
Guided by Franciscan charism, shelter serves growing number of homeless
by Michael Brown Catholic News Service/America
Franciscan and Poor Clare vocation more relevant than ever, says new guardian at the Abbey
by Declan Varley Galway Advertiser
Link to Religious Vocations
Franciscan-led team spearheads fight against mines in Honduran province
by Catholic News Service/America
A reflection on the Prayer of St. Francis
by Franciscan Action Network
Franciscans nurture Indonesian youth awareness of nature
by Ryan Dagur UCANews.
Father Dave Interviews Brother Malachy
by Busted Halo
Galway Franciscans and Poor Clares celebrate launch of www.holyname.ie
by Galway Advertiser
From Fear to Love in Action
by Br. John Kiesler, OFM Mission Doctors Association
Franciscan leaders urge ‘boldness’ by U.S. to end violence in Holy Land
by Catholic News Service/Crux
Franciscan spiritual wisdom to navigate the 'digital continent'
by Daniel P. HoranNational Catholic Reporter
Love is of God
by Sr. Maryann Mueller, CSSF Acting Franciscan
Slowing down, seeing anew: the spiritual benefits of film photography
by Daniel P. Horan National Catholic Reporter
A Franciscan Capuchin Writes in Defense of Pope Francis - "Building Bridges"
by Brother Paul Coleman The Catholic World Report
‘We are all brothers,’ Franciscan in Jericho says of iftar gifts
by Judith Sudilovsky Catholic News Service
Galway Franciscans and Poor Clares celebrate launch of www.holyname.ie
by Galway Advertiser
Franciscan and Poor Clare vocation more relevant than ever, says new guardian at the Abbey
by Declan Varley Galway Advertiser
Franciscan University studying herd immunity, coronavirus
by Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
Conflicting loyalties: the Irish Franciscans and the English Crown in the High Middle Ages
by Anne Müller JSTOR
Marching for Human Rights
by Jocelyn Thomas Franciscan Friars Holy Name Provence
Franciscan friar named cardinal says he is taking a leap into the deep
by Courtney Mares Catholic News Agency
Franciscan, volunteers help homeless in Bogota survive pandemic
by Manuel Rued Crux
Guided by Franciscan charism, shelter serves growing number of homeless
by Michael Brown Catholic News Service/America
Franciscan-led team spearheads fight against mines in Honduran province
by Catholic News Service/America
A reflection on the Prayer of St. Francis
by Franciscan Action Network
Franciscans nurture Indonesian youth awareness of nature
by Ryan Dagur UCANews.com
Father Dave Interviews Brother Malachy
by Team Busted Halo Busted Halo
Book Reviews and Commentaries
St Francis of Assisi
by G.K. Chesterton
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Light of Assisi: The Story of Saint Clare
by Margaret Carney, OSB
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Nourishing Love: A Franciscan Celebration of Mary
by Murray Bodo, OFM
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
The Simplest Prayer: A Book of Love and Faith
by Irish Franciscans
Commentary by Franciscans.ie
An Introduction to Catholic Ethics
by Lucien F. Longtin, SJ and Andrew J. P.
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D.. Profiles in Catholicism
Racial Justice and the Catholic Church
by Bryan N. Massingale
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
The Image of God: Give Man His Dignity
by Augustine Kelechi
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D.. Profiles in Catholicism
Revelations of Divine Love
by Julian of Norwich
Edited by Grace Warrack
Translated by Barry Windeatt
Edited by Grace Warrack
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Ignatian Wisdom for Daily Life in Priesthood
by Timothy M Gallagher, OMV
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
China’s Last Jesuit: Charles H. McCarthy and the End of the Mission in Catholic Shanghai
by Amanda C.R .Clark
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
All In Driven By Passion, Energy, and Purpose
by Porter Moses Forward by Sister Jean Schmidt, BVM
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Wounded Shepherd: Pope Francis’ Struggle to Convert the Catholic Church
by Austen Ivereigh
Reviewed by David Gibson Chicago Catholic
For Love of My People I Will Not Remain Silent
by Cardinal Zen
Commentary by Joseph Pearce The Catholic World Report
A Bridge with China - The Pope and the Apostolic Delegation in Peking (1919-1939)
by Fr. Adel Afif Nasr
Reviewed by Vatican News Staff Writer Vatican News
The Nun and the Pig
by Treive Nicholas,
Reviewed by Rebecca Tinsley Independent Catholic News
Unbroken Thread
by Sohrab Ahmari
Reviewed by Brad Miner The Catholic Thing
The Complete Gentleman: The Modern Man’s Guide to Chivalry
by Brad Miner
Reviewed by Taynia-Renee Laframboise The Catholic Thing
Woman priest. Tradition and Transgression in the Contemporary Roman Catholic Church
by Jill Peterfeso
Reviewed by Mary Kate Holman Commonweal
Model of Faith: Reflecting on the Litany of Saint Joseph
by Leonard J. DeLorenzo, Ph.D.
Commentary/Interview by Charlie Camosy Crux
Robots, Ethics and the Future of Jobs
by Seán McDonagh
Reviewed by Sarah MacDonald National Catholic Reporter
Guard Your Heart
by Sue Divin
Reviewed by Charles Collins Crux
Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity
by Justin Baldoni Reviewed by Paul O'Donnell Religion News Service
Second Place
by Rachel Cusk
Reviewed by Katherine Lucky Commonweal
The Unbroken Thread: Discovering the Wisdom of Tradition in an Age of Chaos
by Charles Camosy
Commentary/Interview by Sohrab Ahmari Crux
Facing the Mountain
by Daniel James Brown
Reviewed by David Kindy Smithsonian Magazine
Nourishing Love: A Franciscan Celebration of Mary
by Murray Bodo, OFM
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
St Francis of Assisi
by G.K. Chesterton
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Light of Assisi: The Story of Saint Clare
by Margaret Carney, OSB
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Television Reviews/Commentaries
Enduring Faith: The Story of Native American Catholicism
Commentary by Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Reviewed by Kevin Christopher Robles America
The Woman in the Window
Reviewed by Richard Lawson Vanity Fair
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Reviewed by Deacon Steven D. Greydanus National Catholic Register
Film Reviews/Commentaries
Lady of Guadalupe
Reviewed by Rose Pacatte National Catholic Reporter
Stu
Commentary by Jesus Caritas Est Catholic News World
A Quiet Place Part II
Reviewed by Deacon Steven D. Greydanus National Catholic Register
A Man for All Seasons
Reviewed by Avellina Balestri Patheos
Wrath of Man
Reviewed by Mark Kennedy The Associated Press
Minari
Commentary by Emily McFarlan Miller Religion News Service
Monster
Reviewed by John Mulderig Catholic News Service
Theater Commentary
Fool for Christ-- the Story of Dorothy Day
Commentary by Independent Catholic News
Poetry
All The Beauty I See
“Oh! pleasant exercise of hope and joy!
For mighty were the auxiliars which then stood
Upon our side, we who were strong in love!
Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive,
But to be young was very heaven!”
These are the words of Wordsworth recalling his earlier
enthusiasm for the French Revolution. He saw it as the
dawning of a new age of hope where all people were free
and equal and lived in harmony. He went to live in
France to experience the new society. However paranoia
and fear gripped the new revolution. War was
threatened. The Reign of Terror had begun. It became
a dangerous place for the young English poet and he left
France.
He returned to England a sadder man. However he did
not lose his dreams. He decided to use his poetry to
express his ideals. He wandered through England
gathering the stories of ordinary people and these
inspired his poetry. These were his heroes. He would use
emotion and psychological truth in his poetry. He was
told emotion was not to be trusted, as many of us were,
but he saw emotion as a central part of our makeup.
In one of his poems ‘The Ruined Cottage’ he tells the
story of how a family was ruined, how the husband
deserted his wife, Margaret. She is broken and in despair.
Wordsworth describes her watchfulness at her husband’s
desertion:
“On this old Bench
For hours she sate, and evermore her eye
Was busy in the distance, shaping things
Which made her heart beat quick.”
(Ruined Cottage MS b 490-3)
She looks to the horizon hoping to see her husband,
Robert, come home but he never does. She is powerless
to save her children or herself. This is a tragic narrative
to the social and political context of its time. Margaret
and her children perish.
Yet for Wordsworth she is not dead. She is alive in
Wordsworth’s poem. To those who read his poetry she is
alive. Even though unnoticed by the world Wordsworth
brings her to life and stirs the conscience of his readers.
Wordsworth is regarded as the poet of nature. In 1790
he went to the Alps. He was struck by the majesty of the
mountains. He could feel his own smallness. The beauty
of the Alps, he imagined, helped him touch eternity. This
vision of the sacredness of nature would never leave him.
He believed that by helping people appreciate nature
their spirits would be refreshed. Their spirits would be
free. This was also a protest against the dehumanising
effects of the Industrial Revolution. The opening line of
his poem ‘Tintern Abbey’ show us this love for nature:
“Five years have past; five summers, with the length
Of five long winters! and again I hear
These waters, rolling from their mountain-springs
With a soft inland murmur.–Once again
Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs,
That on a wild secluded scene impress
Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect
The landscape with the quiet of the sky.”
His early poetry was not, seemingly, religious as such but
yet it lifted the spirits of people and it led some to faith.
Our appreciation of nature, our appreciation of sunsets
comes from Wordsworth and the others in the Romantic
movement. They opened our eyes to the beauty around us.
St. Francis:
For St. Bonaventure the world is the perfect expression
of the Father. It expresses the Word (Logos) who is the
exemplar. The cosmic order is a vast symbol in which
God speaks his majesty. The world is a symbol that is
meant to be read. Wordsworth would have approved. For
St. Bonaventure this symbolic dimension of all things is
disclosed through the incarnate Word of God (Logos),
Jesus the Christ. He sees St. Francis as the one who,
through his fidelity to the incarnate Word, is able to
interpret mystical meaning within the great symbol of
creation.
“Aroused by all things to the love of God, he rejoiced
in all the works of the Lord’s hands and from these
joy-producing manifestations he rose to their lifegiving
principle and cause. In beautiful things he saw
Beauty itself and through his vestiges imprinted on
creation he followed his Beloved everywhere, making
all things a ladder by which he could climb up and
embrace Him who is utterly desirable. With a feeling
of unprecedented devotion he savoured in each and
every creature – as in so many streams – that
Goodness which is their fountain source.”
On June 18, 2015, Pope Francis issued an encyclical
focused on the environment called ‘Laudato Si’. He took
the title from St. Francis’ ‘Canticle of the Creatures’. He
tells us that in nature God has written a precious book
“whose letters are the multitude of created things present
in the universe” (Laudato Si, paragraph 85). He cites the
hymn of St. Francis showing us our interconnectedness.
In expressing our unity we have a responsibility to care
for the earth and the poor. The interdependence of
people and the planet is described in the phrase “integral
ecology”. Wordsworth would have been happy to see this
day.
by Father John O'Brien, OFM Profiles in Catholicism
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