{"ok":true,"date":"2027-10-04","dateKey":"10-04","liturgicalDay":"St. Francis of Assisi, Confessor","rank":"Greater Double","color":"white","quoteOfTheDay":{"text":"Behold the handmaid of our Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.","author":"Holy Scripture","source":"Luke 1:38, Original Douay-Rheims","treasuryHref":"/wisdom#our-ladys-fiat","category":"Under Our Lady's Rule"},"season":"Time after Pentecost","novenas":[{"title":"Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary","feast":"Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary","day":7,"totalDays":9,"startIsoDate":"2027-09-28","feastIsoDate":"2027-10-07","intention":"Ask for perseverance in the Rosary, victory over error, and Marian protection of the faithful in exile.","prayer":null,"practice":"Pray the Rosary with attention and offer it for souls deceived by false religion.","sources":[]}],"octaveContexts":[],"subject":"City of God in Exile: St. Francis of Assisi, Confessor - 2027-10-04","previewText":"St. Francis of Assisi, Confessor. True Devotion to Mary Forms the Soul in Christ. Resist false Marian devotion that seeks comfort, novelty, or emotion without conversion.","plainText":"CITY OF GOD IN EXILE\nSt. Francis of Assisi, Confessor\n2027-10-04 - Time after Pentecost - Greater Double - white\nPLAIN-LANGUAGE GUIDE FOR TODAY\nCompunction: sorrow for sin that pierces the heart and moves a person toward repentance rather than despair.\nConfessor: in the traditional calendar, a male saint who openly professed the Faith by a holy life but was not killed as a martyr.\nBishop: a successor of the apostles charged with teaching, sanctifying, and governing a local Church.\nThe full Breviary lessons preserve an older English translation. Read the modern explanation first; it identifies the people, event, and doctrine before the historical wording appears.\nTODAY IN THE ROMAN YEAR\nThe King truly calls sinners to His banquet, but He does not tell them to remain unchanged. The wedding garment is a warning against presumption and an invitation to receive sanctifying grace, repent of sin, and live according to the dignity of the call. Ask Our Lady to help you surrender whatever would keep your soul unready for her Divine Son. Ask for a love of Our Lady that grows deeper rather than merely more talkative. Tell Our Lady simply that you desire to serve her Divine Son under her direction, not merely to feel devotion.\n\n\"Of Mary there is never enough.\"\nSt. Louis-Marie de Montfort, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, no. 10\n\nThis famous saying must not be understood as permission for exaggeration, invention, or devotion separated from doctrine. St. Louis de Montfort immediately speaks of praising, honoring, loving, and serving Mary as we ought. The little word serving protects the whole sentence from sentimentality.\n\nThere is never enough true devotion because there is never enough surrender to Jesus Christ. The soul can always receive His Mother more faithfully, imitate her more exactly, pray with greater recollection, and surrender another reserve of self-will. Ask not for more emotion today, but for more faithful service.\n\nPRACTICE\nAsk where you may be excusing error because it appears gentle, modest, familiar, or socially peaceful.\n\nQUOTE OF THE DAY\n\"Behold the handmaid of our Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.\"\nHoly Scripture, Luke 1:38, Original Douay-Rheims\n\nNOVENA IN PROGRESS\nNovena to Our Lady of the Rosary - Day 7 of 9\nPreparing for Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 2027-10-07.\nAsk for perseverance in the Rosary, victory over error, and Marian protection of the faithful in exile.\n\nPray the Rosary with attention and offer it for souls deceived by false religion.\n\nROMAN MARTYROLOGY - October 4\nAt Assisi, in Umbria, the birthday of St. Francis, confessor, founder of the Order of Minorites, whose life, filled with holy deeds and miracles, was.written by St. Bonaventure. — At Corinth, the birthday of the Saints Crispus and Cams, who are mentioned by the apostle St. Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians, — In Egypt, the holy martyrs Mark and Marcian, brothers, and an almost countless multitude of both sexes and of all ages, who merited the blessed crown of martyrdom, some after being scourged, and others when they had suffered horrible torment, after being delivered to the flames. Some were precipitated into the sea; some others were beheaded; many were starved to death; others were fastened to gibbets; while others were suspended by the feet with their heads downward. — At Damascus, St. Peter, bishop and martyr, who, being accused before the king of the Agarenians of teaching the faith of Christ, had his tongue, hands, and feet cut off, and being fastened to a cross, ended his martyrdom. — At Alexandria, the holy priests and deacons Caius, Faustus, Eusebius, Chseremon, Lucius, and their companions. Some of them were martyred in the persecution of Valerian; others, for serving the martyrs, received the reward of martyrs. — At Athens, St. Hierotheus, disciple of the blessed apostle Paul. — At Bologna, St. Petronius, bishop and confessor, celebrated for learning, miracles and sanctity. — At Paris, St. Aurea, virgin. OCTOBER. 307\n\nGOSPEL OF THE DAY\nLearn of me, because I am meek.\nSt. Francis of Assisi, Confessor - Matthew 11:25-30\n\"Learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart.\"\nAsk St. Francis for joyful poverty without theatrical poverty. The yoke of Christ is light because love carries it.\n\nTHE CHURCH'S READING OF THE GOSPEL\nWhat This Gospel Teaches\nSt. Francis is understood through the meek and humble Heart of Christ, not through romance or sentiment.\nPoverty becomes holy when it rests beneath Christ's yoke and learns His humility.\nError corrected: The sentimental Franciscanism that admires simplicity while avoiding the Cross.\n- Where does this error tempt me in practice?\n- What act does this Gospel require of me today?\n\nHIGHLIGHTED SAINT\nSt. Francis of Assisi\nConfessor, lover of poverty, and servant of Christ crucified.\nSt. Francis of Assisi followed Christ in poverty, humility, penance, and love for the Crucified.\nHis witness is not sentimental simplicity, but conformity to Christ poor, humble, obedient, and suffering.\nLet St. Francis strip away theatrical religion. Holy poverty is not a pose; it is freedom to belong more wholly to Christ. Refuse needless comforts today wherever they weaken duty or recollection, and offer the sacrifice with love.\nFROM MATINS\nPoverty made filial beneath the Father.\nMatins - Second Nocturn - St. Francis of Assisi, Confessor\nRoman Breviary\n\"Our Father, Who art in heaven.\"\n- The Breviary remembers St. Francis not as a sentimental emblem of simplicity, but as a penitent converted to mercy, almsgiving, and evangelical poverty.\n- After refusing a beggar who asked alms for Christ's sake, Francis was pierced with compunction and vowed never again to deny one who asked in the name of the Lord.\n- His renunciation before the Bishop of Assisi was filial rather than theatrical: stripped of earthly inheritance, he could say more freely, Our Father, Who art in heaven.\nLet St. Francis purify poverty of vanity. Detachment is not a costume, but freedom for mercy, obedience, penance, and the Fatherhood of God.\nFULL BREVIARY LESSONS\nFourth Lesson - Poverty Beneath the Fatherhood of God\nFrancis was born at Assisi in Umbria, [in the year of our Lord 1182.] From his earliest youth he followed the example of his father, [Peter Bernardone,] and busied himself with merchandise. It befell one day that, contrary to his usage, he had thrust from him a beggar, who cried for money for Christ's sake, when, being cut to the heart with regret, he gave him large alms, and promised to God from that day forth never to deny to any that asked of him. He fell after this into a grievous sickness, and from the time that he was healed thereof, he gave himself more earnestly to works of love for his neighbour. At length he became fain in this sort to be perfect, even as the Lord hath said in the Gospel, (Matth. xix. 21,) and gave to the poor whatsoever he had. His father would not have it so, and brought him before the Bishop of Assisi, that he might renounce all right to any inheritance. He cheerfully gave up all to his father, even to his clothes, telling them that now he should be able with more utter dependence to say: \"Our Father, Who art in heaven-\"\nFifth Lesson - The Gospel Made a Rule of Life\n[Upon the 24th day of February, in the year 1209,] he heard read the words of the Gospel: \"Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes.\" (Matth. x. 9, 10.) Thereupon he determined that that should be his rule of living. He took off his shoes, and contented himself with one coat. When he had gathered twelve comrades, he founded the Order of Friars Minor. He went to Rome in the [same] year, to get from the Apostolic See a confirmation of his Order. When he came Pope Innocent III. thrust him away. Thereafter he dreamt that he saw the Church of the most Holy Saviour falling, and whom he had cast forth bearing it up with his shoulders. He bade therefore that he should be sought for and brought again before him, welcomed him kindly, and approved all the Rule which he had established. Francis therefore sent his Friars into all quarters of the world to preach the Gospel of Christ. He himself was fain to find some occasion of martyrdom, and therefore made a voyage into Syria, [in the year 1219,] but the Sultan treated him with the greatest kindness, offering him many gifts, and, since he could do no good, he returned again to Italy.\nSixth Lesson - Conformed to the Crucified Christ\n[Towards the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the year 1224,] when there had already been built many houses of Friars of his Order, he withdrew himself into a most secret place upon Mount Alverno, and began to fast for forty days in honour of the holy Archangel Michael. Upon the Feast-day of the Uplifting of the Holy Cross, [as he was praying upon the side of the mountain,] he saw a vision of a crucified Seraph, which left in his hands and feet holes with nails therein, and in his side a great wound. Holy \"Buona-Ventura\" hath left it in writing that he once heard Pope Alexander IV., when preaching, testify that he had himself seen these marks. It was a sign of such love of Christ toward him as stirred up the great wonder of all men. Two years thereafter he fell sick unto death, and was fain to be carried into the Church of St Mary-of-the-Angels, that he might give up the breath of life in the same place where God had breathed into him the breath of the life of grace. Being there [laid on the earth, sprinkled with ashes, and covered with an old habit,] he exhorted the Friars to be poor and lowly, and to cleave to the faith of the Holy Church of Rome. [He then caused the Gospel of St John to be read from the words \"Now before the feast of the Passover\" to the end,] after which he began to recite the 141st Psalm: \"I cried unto the LORD with my voice,\" and in uttering the words, \"the righteous wait for me, till Thou deal bountifully with me,\" he gave up the ghost. It was the 4th day of October, [in the year 1226.] He was famous for miracles, and Pope Gregory IX. added his name to the list of the Saints.\nTHE PILGRIM'S SPIRITUAL CONFERENCE\nTrue Devotion to Mary Forms the Soul in Christ\nThe Church places this truth before you today: True Marian devotion is not sentiment detached from obedience. It brings the soul more deeply under Christ's rule. Do not hurry past it as though doctrine belonged only to books and controversies. A revealed truth is also a light by which the soul must judge its loyalties, its fears, its habits, and the duties immediately before it. Our Lady does not compete with her Son. She forms servants who hear Him, believe Him, and remain beneath His Cross.\nThe grace to be practiced is Joyful poverty under the Cross, drawn from today's saintly witness. Ask God for more than the natural appearance of this virtue. Temperament may make an action seem easy for a time, but supernatural virtue remains faithful because God is worthy of obedience, even when feeling offers no assistance and no one notices the cost. Practice constancy by keeping your Marian prayers with attention when novelty and feeling are absent.\nThere is also an enemy to recognize: Resist false Marian devotion that seeks comfort, novelty, or emotion without conversion. Do not study this danger only in other people. Look quietly for the door by which it seeks entrance into your own soul - perhaps through delay, curiosity, resentment, human respect, attachment to comfort, or the desire to control the outcome. Dying to self today means choosing joyful poverty under the Cross when pride, comfort, fear, resentment, or human respect asks for control.\nDo the faithful act and entrust its fruit to divine Providence, God's wise and loving governance of all things. Place effort and outcome into Our Lady's hands so that the whole offering may be presented to her Divine Son. Confidence in God is not passivity: obey, pray, work, and accept that visible success, consolation, or immediate relief may not be given. God remains faithful when the duty is hidden and the outcome uncertain. Therefore, perform the duty that belongs to you, use the lawful means God has provided, and then surrender the fruit. Let dryness purify devotion from the demand to be consoled; remain faithful because God is worthy. Perform all your duties faithfully, correcting with special care the duty you habitually perform carelessly, as a servant of Jesus and Mary.\nThe Church's witness: this truth manifests the Church's mark of holy; the witness placed beside it is St. Louis-Marie de Montfort.\nYour resolution before God: Ask where you may be excusing error because it appears gentle, modest, familiar, or socially peaceful.\nCarry this word: Be not deceived is a daily rule, not a rare warning.\nTHE PILGRIM'S MIRROR\n\"Fight strongly therefore against all sins, and dread not overmuch, although thou be encumbered by an evil custom, for that evil custom may be overcome with a good custom.\"\nThomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Book I, chapter 21, p. 35\nHabit is formed by repeated consent. Under grace, a small faithful act repeated daily becomes a defense against the sin that once seemed immovable.\n\nDo not wait for a dramatic conversion of temperament. Grace commonly asks for the next contrary act: silence instead of complaint, custody instead of curiosity, prayer instead of brooding, prompt duty instead of delay. Repeated fidelity clears a path by which the will learns to move more readily toward God.\nToday's Practice: Oppose your recurring bad habit with its contrary good acts throughout the day.\nDAILY EXAMEN\nMeasure devotion by obedience, purity, prayer, and charity rather than by the feelings the day provided.\n- For what grace or mercy should I thank God today?\n- What sin, fault, neglected duty, or resistance to grace must I confess?\n- What definite amendment will I carry into tomorrow?\nPRAYER\nO Lord, preserve me from fair appearances that hide error. Teach me to love truth more than comfort, approval, or the peace that leaves souls wounded.\nDAILY RULE FOR THE PILGRIM\nA brief rule to keep every day:\nBegin with morning prayer\nAdore the Blessed Trinity and offer the whole day to Jesus through Mary before other duties claim the mind.\nKeep the Angelus\nPause morning, noon, and evening to remember the Incarnation.\nSeek Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament\nAttend Holy Mass when duty permits; otherwise make a Spiritual Communion and renew desire for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.\nReturn to Jesus and Mary\nUse frequent holy aspirations during work, waiting, suffering, and temptation.\nPray the Rosary\nKeep the mysteries of Christ before the mind with Our Lady and learn to imitate what they contain.\nEnd with night prayer and examen\nGive thanks, confess faults, forgive injuries, make a practical amendment, and entrust the night to Our Lady.\nCONTINUE STUDY\nTrue Devotion to Mary: https://cityofgodinexile.com/mary-and-the-typologies-of-the-church/true-devotion-to-mary-not-sentiment-but-formation-in-christ?entered=1\nOpen this day in the Sacred Calendar: https://cityofgodinexile.com/sacred-calendar?date=2027-10-04&entered=1\nOpen this day's Daily Pilgrimage: https://cityofgodinexile.com/daily-dispatch?date=2027-10-04&entered=1\nBrowse the Formation Index: https://cityofgodinexile.com/daily-dispatch/formation?entered=1","html":"\n\n \n \n \n City of God in Exile: St. Francis of Assisi, Confessor - 2027-10-04\n \n \n
\n St. Francis of Assisi, Confessor. True Devotion to Mary Forms the Soul in Christ. Resist false Marian devotion that seeks comfort, novelty, or emotion without conversion.\n
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City of God in Exile

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St. Francis of Assisi, Confessor

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2027-10-04 - Time after Pentecost - Greater Double - white

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“Walk whilst you have the light, that the darkness overtake you not.”
John 12:35
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Plain-Language Guide for Today

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Compunction
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sorrow for sin that pierces the heart and moves a person toward repentance rather than despair.
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Confessor
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in the traditional calendar, a male saint who openly professed the Faith by a holy life but was not killed as a martyr.
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Bishop
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a successor of the apostles charged with teaching, sanctifying, and governing a local Church.

The full Breviary lessons preserve an older English translation. Read the modern explanation first; it identifies the people, event, and doctrine before the historical wording appears.

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Today in the Roman Year

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The King truly calls sinners to His banquet, but He does not tell them to remain unchanged. The wedding garment is a warning against presumption and an invitation to receive sanctifying grace, repent of sin, and live according to the dignity of the call. Ask Our Lady to help you surrender whatever would keep your soul unready for her Divine Son.

Ask for a love of Our Lady that grows deeper rather than merely more talkative.

Tell Our Lady simply that you desire to serve her Divine Son under her direction, not merely to feel devotion.

“Of Mary there is never enough.”

St. Louis-Marie de Montfort, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, no. 10

This famous saying must not be understood as permission for exaggeration, invention, or devotion separated from doctrine. St. Louis de Montfort immediately speaks of praising, honoring, loving, and serving Mary as we ought. The little word serving protects the whole sentence from sentimentality.

There is never enough true devotion because there is never enough surrender to Jesus Christ. The soul can always receive His Mother more faithfully, imitate her more exactly, pray with greater recollection, and surrender another reserve of self-will. Ask not for more emotion today, but for more faithful service.

Ask where you may be excusing error because it appears gentle, modest, familiar, or socially peaceful.

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Quote of the Day

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“Behold the handmaid of our Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.”
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Holy Scripture, Luke 1:38, Original Douay-Rheims

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Novena in Progress

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Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary - Day 7 of 9

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Preparing for Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 2027-10-07.

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Ask for perseverance in the Rosary, victory over error, and Marian protection of the faithful in exile.

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Pray the Rosary with attention and offer it for souls deceived by false religion.

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Roman Martyrology - October 4

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At Assisi, in Umbria, the birthday of St. Francis, confessor, founder of the Order of Minorites, whose life, filled with holy deeds and miracles, was.written by St. Bonaventure. — At Corinth, the birthday of the Saints Crispus and Cams, who are mentioned by the apostle St. Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians, — In Egypt, the holy martyrs Mark and Marcian, brothers, and an almost countless multitude of both sexes and of all ages, who merited the blessed crown of martyrdom, some after being scourged, and others when they had suffered horrible torment, after being delivered to the flames. Some were precipitated into the sea; some others were beheaded; many were starved to death; others were fastened to gibbets; while others were suspended by the feet with their heads downward. — At Damascus, St. Peter, bishop and martyr, who, being accused before the king of the Agarenians of teaching the faith of Christ, had his tongue, hands, and feet cut off, and being fastened to a cross, ended his martyrdom. — At Alexandria, the holy priests and deacons Caius, Faustus, Eusebius, Chseremon, Lucius, and their companions. Some of them were martyred in the persecution of Valerian; others, for serving the martyrs, received the reward of martyrs. — At Athens, St. Hierotheus, disciple of the blessed apostle Paul. — At Bologna, St. Petronius, bishop and confessor, celebrated for learning, miracles and sanctity. — At Paris, St. Aurea, virgin. OCTOBER. 307

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Gospel of the Day

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Learn of me, because I am meek.

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St. Francis of Assisi, Confessor - Matthew 11:25-30

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“Learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart.”
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Ask St. Francis for joyful poverty without theatrical poverty. The yoke of Christ is light because love carries it.

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The Church's Reading of the Gospel

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What This Gospel Teaches

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St. Francis is understood through the meek and humble Heart of Christ, not through romance or sentiment.

Poverty becomes holy when it rests beneath Christ's yoke and learns His humility.

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Error corrected: The sentimental Franciscanism that admires simplicity while avoiding the Cross.

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  • Where does this error tempt me in practice?
  • What act does this Gospel require of me today?
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Highlighted Saint

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St. Francis of Assisi

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Confessor, lover of poverty, and servant of Christ crucified.

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St. Francis of Assisi followed Christ in poverty, humility, penance, and love for the Crucified.

His witness is not sentimental simplicity, but conformity to Christ poor, humble, obedient, and suffering.

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Let St. Francis strip away theatrical religion. Holy poverty is not a pose; it is freedom to belong more wholly to Christ. Refuse needless comforts today wherever they weaken duty or recollection, and offer the sacrifice with love.

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From Matins

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Poverty made filial beneath the Father.

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Matins - Second Nocturn - St. Francis of Assisi, Confessor

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Roman Breviary, Proper lessons for St. Francis of Assisi

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“Our Father, Who art in heaven.”
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  • The Breviary remembers St. Francis not as a sentimental emblem of simplicity, but as a penitent converted to mercy, almsgiving, and evangelical poverty.
  • After refusing a beggar who asked alms for Christ's sake, Francis was pierced with compunction and vowed never again to deny one who asked in the name of the Lord.
  • His renunciation before the Bishop of Assisi was filial rather than theatrical: stripped of earthly inheritance, he could say more freely, Our Father, Who art in heaven.
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Let St. Francis purify poverty of vanity. Detachment is not a costume, but freedom for mercy, obedience, penance, and the Fatherhood of God.

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Full Breviary Lessons

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Fourth Lesson - Poverty Beneath the Fatherhood of God

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Francis was born at Assisi in Umbria, [in the year of our Lord 1182.] From his earliest youth he followed the example of his father, [Peter Bernardone,] and busied himself with merchandise. It befell one day that, contrary to his usage, he had thrust from him a beggar, who cried for money for Christ's sake, when, being cut to the heart with regret, he gave him large alms, and promised to God from that day forth never to deny to any that asked of him. He fell after this into a grievous sickness, and from the time that he was healed thereof, he gave himself more earnestly to works of love for his neighbour. At length he became fain in this sort to be perfect, even as the Lord hath said in the Gospel, (Matth. xix. 21,) and gave to the poor whatsoever he had. His father would not have it so, and brought him before the Bishop of Assisi, that he might renounce all right to any inheritance. He cheerfully gave up all to his father, even to his clothes, telling them that now he should be able with more utter dependence to say: "Our Father, Who art in heaven-"

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Fifth Lesson - The Gospel Made a Rule of Life

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[Upon the 24th day of February, in the year 1209,] he heard read the words of the Gospel: "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes." (Matth. x. 9, 10.) Thereupon he determined that that should be his rule of living. He took off his shoes, and contented himself with one coat. When he had gathered twelve comrades, he founded the Order of Friars Minor. He went to Rome in the [same] year, to get from the Apostolic See a confirmation of his Order. When he came Pope Innocent III. thrust him away. Thereafter he dreamt that he saw the Church of the most Holy Saviour falling, and whom he had cast forth bearing it up with his shoulders. He bade therefore that he should be sought for and brought again before him, welcomed him kindly, and approved all the Rule which he had established. Francis therefore sent his Friars into all quarters of the world to preach the Gospel of Christ. He himself was fain to find some occasion of martyrdom, and therefore made a voyage into Syria, [in the year 1219,] but the Sultan treated him with the greatest kindness, offering him many gifts, and, since he could do no good, he returned again to Italy.

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Sixth Lesson - Conformed to the Crucified Christ

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[Towards the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the year 1224,] when there had already been built many houses of Friars of his Order, he withdrew himself into a most secret place upon Mount Alverno, and began to fast for forty days in honour of the holy Archangel Michael. Upon the Feast-day of the Uplifting of the Holy Cross, [as he was praying upon the side of the mountain,] he saw a vision of a crucified Seraph, which left in his hands and feet holes with nails therein, and in his side a great wound. Holy "Buona-Ventura" hath left it in writing that he once heard Pope Alexander IV., when preaching, testify that he had himself seen these marks. It was a sign of such love of Christ toward him as stirred up the great wonder of all men. Two years thereafter he fell sick unto death, and was fain to be carried into the Church of St Mary-of-the-Angels, that he might give up the breath of life in the same place where God had breathed into him the breath of the life of grace. Being there [laid on the earth, sprinkled with ashes, and covered with an old habit,] he exhorted the Friars to be poor and lowly, and to cleave to the faith of the Holy Church of Rome. [He then caused the Gospel of St John to be read from the words "Now before the feast of the Passover" to the end,] after which he began to recite the 141st Psalm: "I cried unto the LORD with my voice," and in uttering the words, "the righteous wait for me, till Thou deal bountifully with me," he gave up the ghost. It was the 4th day of October, [in the year 1226.] He was famous for miracles, and Pope Gregory IX. added his name to the list of the Saints.

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The Pilgrim's Spiritual Conference

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True Devotion to Mary Forms the Soul in Christ

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The Church places this truth before you today: True Marian devotion is not sentiment detached from obedience. It brings the soul more deeply under Christ's rule. Do not hurry past it as though doctrine belonged only to books and controversies. A revealed truth is also a light by which the soul must judge its loyalties, its fears, its habits, and the duties immediately before it. Our Lady does not compete with her Son. She forms servants who hear Him, believe Him, and remain beneath His Cross.

The grace to be practiced is Joyful poverty under the Cross, drawn from today's saintly witness. Ask God for more than the natural appearance of this virtue. Temperament may make an action seem easy for a time, but supernatural virtue remains faithful because God is worthy of obedience, even when feeling offers no assistance and no one notices the cost. Practice constancy by keeping your Marian prayers with attention when novelty and feeling are absent.

There is also an enemy to recognize: Resist false Marian devotion that seeks comfort, novelty, or emotion without conversion. Do not study this danger only in other people. Look quietly for the door by which it seeks entrance into your own soul - perhaps through delay, curiosity, resentment, human respect, attachment to comfort, or the desire to control the outcome. Dying to self today means choosing joyful poverty under the Cross when pride, comfort, fear, resentment, or human respect asks for control.

Do the faithful act and entrust its fruit to divine Providence, God's wise and loving governance of all things. Place effort and outcome into Our Lady's hands so that the whole offering may be presented to her Divine Son. Confidence in God is not passivity: obey, pray, work, and accept that visible success, consolation, or immediate relief may not be given. God remains faithful when the duty is hidden and the outcome uncertain. Therefore, perform the duty that belongs to you, use the lawful means God has provided, and then surrender the fruit. Let dryness purify devotion from the demand to be consoled; remain faithful because God is worthy. Perform all your duties faithfully, correcting with special care the duty you habitually perform carelessly, as a servant of Jesus and Mary.

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The Church's witness: this truth manifests the Church's mark of holy; the witness placed beside it is St. Louis-Marie de Montfort.

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Your Resolution Before God

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Ask where you may be excusing error because it appears gentle, modest, familiar, or socially peaceful.

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Be not deceived is a daily rule, not a rare warning.
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The Pilgrim's Mirror

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How shall I imitate Christ today?

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“Fight strongly therefore against all sins, and dread not overmuch, although thou be encumbered by an evil custom, for that evil custom may be overcome with a good custom.”
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Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Book I, chapter 21, p. 35

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Habit is formed by repeated consent. Under grace, a small faithful act repeated daily becomes a defense against the sin that once seemed immovable.

Do not wait for a dramatic conversion of temperament. Grace commonly asks for the next contrary act: silence instead of complaint, custody instead of curiosity, prayer instead of brooding, prompt duty instead of delay. Repeated fidelity clears a path by which the will learns to move more readily toward God.

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Today's Practice

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Oppose your recurring bad habit with its contrary good acts throughout the day.

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Daily Examen

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Three questions before night prayer

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Measure devotion by obedience, purity, prayer, and charity rather than by the feelings the day provided.

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  • For what grace or mercy should I thank God today?
  • What sin, fault, neglected duty, or resistance to grace must I confess?
  • What definite amendment will I carry into tomorrow?
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Prayer

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O Lord, preserve me from fair appearances that hide error. Teach me to love truth more than comfort, approval, or the peace that leaves souls wounded.

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Daily Rule for the Pilgrim

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A brief rule to keep every day:

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Begin with morning prayer

Adore the Blessed Trinity and offer the whole day to Jesus through Mary before other duties claim the mind.

Keep the Angelus

Pause morning, noon, and evening to remember the Incarnation.

Seek Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament

Attend Holy Mass when duty permits; otherwise make a Spiritual Communion and renew desire for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Return to Jesus and Mary

Use frequent holy aspirations during work, waiting, suffering, and temptation.

Pray the Rosary

Keep the mysteries of Christ before the mind with Our Lady and learn to imitate what they contain.

End with night prayer and examen

Give thanks, confess faults, forgive injuries, make a practical amendment, and entrust the night to Our Lady.

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Continue Study

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Carry today's lesson into a focused chapter from the library.

\n True Devotion to Mary\n
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Persevere, pilgrim.

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The gates remain open to the faithful.

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\n \"The\n
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