Pat McCloskey, OFM, Franciscan editor of St. Anthony Messenger, has an MA in Franciscan studies. Peace and Good: Through the Year with Francis of Assisi (Franciscan Media) is his latest book.
The Church celebrates the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua on June 13. During Anthony of Padua’s lifetime, the Catholic Church was under attack from several sects, especially the Cathars (“pure ones”), sometimes known as “Albigensians,” after the town of Albi in southern France, one of the group’s early strongholds.
On May 28 this year, most Christians throughout the world will celebrate the feast of Pentecost, praising God for the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church.
Franciscans have played a major role in popularizing the Stations of the Cross to commemorate Christ’s journey from Pilate’s praetorium, to Golgotha, and to his tomb.
This blog begins our Lent 2023 reflections on the Franciscan Intellectual-Spiritual Tradition. Early Franciscans considered themselves part of the great penitential movement of their times: men and women who were trying to hear the Gospel afresh and turning their hearts more deeply to the coming of God’s Kingdom.
excerpt here
