CapuchinVocations

Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Thérèse of Lisieux—the Little Flower, Carmelite nun, patroness of missions, and Doctor of the Church. 🌹

Although she lived a short and hidden life, St. Thérèse’s “little way” of trust, humility, and love continues to draw souls closer to Christ.

She greatly admired the humility of St. Francis of Assisi. Like Francis, Thérèse understood that holiness is found not in greatness, but in becoming little before God and offering ourselves to Him with love.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, teach us your little way of confidence and love—and pray for all those discerning God’s call. 🙏🏻

Novena to St. Francis Day 7

We pray for vocations, for our personal intentions, and for those who need consolation.

“Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance. Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor worry.” St. Francis of Assisi, The Admonitions

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Beloved St. Francis, in prayer, suffering, and joy, you remained close to Christ. Pray for all who feel weary, lonely, or discouraged. Help us listen for God’s voice and become signs of his tenderness to one another.
Intercede for the intentions we now place before the Lord. (Pause to name your intentions.) May God grant us the grace to live with courage and fidelity. Amen.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

Nearly 30 years ago, Fr. Fred reflected on the origins of the prayer so often associated with St. Francis—and on why it remains deeply Franciscan.

During this Year of St. Francis, his words still call us to be reconcilers in a world in need of peace.

Gather in peace and celebrate with us:
Transitus — October 3
Feast of St. Francis — October 4
Details at Capuchin.org

Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls without qualification: “Follow me.” St. Jerome reminds us that responding to God’s call is not a matter of fate, fortune, or chance:

“It is given to those who have asked for it, who have desired it, who have worked that they might receive it.”

Discernment is not simply waiting for certainty. It is asking, seeking, knocking—and becoming willing to leave behind whatever prevents us from giving ourselves completely to Christ.

St. Jerome, pray for us.

Novena to St. Francis Day 6

We pray for vocations, for our personal intentions, and for freedom from attachment.

“Let us desire nothing else, wish for nothing else, and let nothing delight us except our Creator, Redeemer, and Savior.” St. Francis of Assisi, Earlier Rule

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Francis, you left comfort and possessions behind to follow Christ in poverty and service. Free us from the desire to accumulate what cannot satisfy, and teach us to treasure what leads to eternal life.
Today, help us offer one small sacrifice to God with love. Intercede also for the intentions we now place before the Lord. (Pause to name your intentions.) Amen.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

Today the Church celebrates Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael—archangels sent by God to defend, proclaim, guide and heal.

They do not draw attention to themselves. They serve the will of God and lead us toward Christ—the One upon whom the angels ascend and descend.

Saint Michael, defend us.
Saint Gabriel, help us receive God’s word.
Saint Raphael, guide and heal us along the way.

Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, pray for us. 🙏🏻

Novena to St. Francis Day 5

We pray for vocations, for our personal intentions, and for trust in God’s will.

“We have nothing else to do but to be solicitous to follow the will of God and to please him.” St. Francis of Assisi, Earlier Rule.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Blessed St. Francis, when Christ called you, you surrendered your plans and gave yourself entirely to God. Pray that we may trust the Father as you did and allow the Holy Spirit to guide every thought, word, and deed.
Intercede for the intentions we now place before the Lord. (Pause to name your intentions.) Give us generous hearts, ready to answer whatever God asks. Amen.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

Today we celebrate the Memorial of Blessed Innocenzo da Berzo, Capuchin priest.

Born Giovanni Scalvinoni in northern Italy in 1844, he first served as a diocesan priest before entering the Capuchin Order at the age of thirty. His path to holiness was quiet and hidden: prolonged prayer before the tabernacle, deep devotion to the Way of the Cross, humble obedience, and remarkable generosity toward the poor.

Blessed Innocenzo desired only to serve and to take the last place—to become a “loving nothingness” so that God might be his all.

“The greatest need we have is to remain silent before our great God… The speech that God hears more willingly is the silent speech of love.”

Blessed Innocenzo da Berzo, pray for us!

Novena to St. Francis Day 4

We pray for vocations, for our personal intentions, and for care for creation.

“Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures.” St. Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Creatures.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Francis, patron of ecology, you received creation as a gift and recognized every creature as the work of God. Teach us to care wisely for the earth and to use our gifts in service of others.
Intercede for the intentions we now place before the Lord. (Pause to name your intentions.) May gratitude shape our choices and draw us toward the Creator of all things. Amen.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.