Seasonal Devotion

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February 2012

Religion is always an uphill struggle. When it looks like we're losing - that's when we're winning!
-- "Retired" Franciscan Friar

Dear Friend,

Whenever I visit our retired friars, a certain Scripture passage comes to mind:

Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy. -- Luke 25:23

You see, it's not entirely accurate to refer to our elderly friars as "retired." Their bodies - "Brother Ass," as our founder, St. Francis, used to say - have declined and lost the physical strength that sustained them for decades, often in the difficult conditions of the missions. But, as any good friar could tell you, this is really a great blessing.

Freedom from worldly distractions, tempered by decades of experience, our senior friars focus their attention more fully on the ways of the spirit. And in this way, they work in the most important Franciscan mission of all.

You might even say that their entire lives - filled as they have been with works of compassion and mercy - have prepared them for this, their final most important work.For I have no doubt that the countless prayers of our elderly Friars fly straight to Our Lord. You might say that your continuous, wonderful generosity represents a living testimony to the fact that their prayers for the Missions are answered.

How Our Elderly Friars Can Help You This Lent

After years of giving up everything in order to give more fully of others, our elderly Friars just can't stop. Mindful of your tremendous support, they wish to help you as well.

What worries you most? We all have some matter where our faith fails us or at least weakens and -- for some reason -- we doubt that the Lord will provide. Well, you can imagine the confidence our elderly Friars have in the Lord's providence. Send me this concern that worries you most.

SPECIAL LENTEN PRAYERS TO ST. JOSEPH FOR YOU

Each day during the 40 days of Lent, at least one of our elderly friars will pray for you. They will pray to Saint Joseph. They will pray that this great of provider-saint will intervene with his son on your behalf.

You are invited to be with us in prayer as we celebrate Mass each day of Lent, starting February 22nd and ending April 1st. Our double Novena of Masses in honor of St. Joseph will take place from March 2nd to March 19th, his feast day.

Our Friars will pray that you will be blessed with newfound confidence in the Lord's providence, and a deeper understanding that everything is going to work out far better than you possibly could have planned it yourself.

Please, don't delay, Lent is almost upon us. Please to send your special concern to our elder Friars. You won't regret it. If at the same time, you could consider sending a gift of $10, $15 - whatever you can spare - to help us provide for our retired friars I would be deeply grateful.

May your faith grow strong this Lent. Please let me hear from you soon.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Primo, O.F.M.