- His Love for us
- The Holy Eucharist: Body + Blood + Soul + Divinity
- The Silence of Peace
- Gods Love for us 4-parts
- God creates beauty around us
A Reflection by
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Most High Glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me true faith,
certain hope, and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge Lord, that I may carry out Your holy and true command.
St. Francis of Assisi
Divine Mercy Fraternity (Vero Beach, FL) is meeting jointly, with St. Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity, at St. Lucie CC, Port St. Lucie, FL., from August 20, 2025, onwards. For info contact Fred Schaeffer, OFS
On October 16th, the feast day of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque occurs. Jesus made twelve promises to her, as follows:
1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
2. I will establish peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
9. I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
12. The all-powerful love of my Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive Months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; my Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour. Image: Vision of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.
Fatima Prayer
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Fr. Tomas Ginga Panzo Suva, OFMCap, wrote an excellent article on "The Creation - Reason for Praising God" in Koinonia #126 (4th Link below):
Latest Franciscan periodicals
"Formation Friday" is now found here: https://jdpofs.org/resources/formation-fri/
MUSIC
From Tom DiFeo, Christian composer:
I comfort you Beautiful!
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New MORE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC
This piece of music was sent to me by the mother of Mr. Mark Anthony Quevas, the composer of "Laudato Si - Stewards of Creation", for the Feast of Saint Francis (today). If you like it please pass it on to your friends. Here's the link:
https://youtu.be/Ncb_axuJWhM?si
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NOTES
Wonderful News: our Five Franciscan Martyrs will be Beatified soon:
See: https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/pope-clears-way-beatification-georgia-martyrs
The Spanish Franciscans Pedro de Corpa, Blas Rodríguez de Cuacos, Miguel de Añón, Antonio de Badajoz and Francisco de Veráscola were killed between Sept. 14 and Sept. 17, 1597, after Father de Corpa told a young Indigenous man, Juanillo, who was heir to a Guale chiefdom, that as a baptized Christian he could not take a second wife
General Formation material
1. How did I become a Secular Franciscan?
2. What do Secular Franciscan do at their monthly Gatherings
Both by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
The TAU CROSS each of us wears daily as our habit is a blessed Cross, a sign to the world of our admission in, and commitment to, the Secular Franciscan Order. At the beginning of each day as you prepare to get into the world, reverently kiss your Tau Cross, saying with St. Philip Neri: "And keep me Lord, this day, from betraying you, as Judas did, with a kiss! Ric Nagle. OFS. Always wear your TAU Cross!
Canticle of the Creatures
by Saint Francis of Assisi
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no human is worthy to mention Your name.
Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day and through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour;
and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather,
through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night,
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your
love, and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.
Fred Schaeffer, OFS, Webmaster
Fred Schaeffer OFS, began writing Spiritual Reflections 26+ years ago.
He is a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order (32+ years), Divine Mercy Fraternity
Header Image: Adjusted Fantasy image from Pixabay, in public domain
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