Prayer

January 14th has been designated by the OFM Franciscans of the English-speaking world as “A Day of Prayer to End Racism.” Please join us in this prayer (in English and Spanish) from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: MARY, FRIEND AND MOTHER…

Photo by Victor Guevarra on Unsplash Lord, during this time of Advent, help us to prepare ourselves for the gift of Christ’s birth. Open our hearts to the joy that it brings. Just as St. Francis…

Photo by Courtney Chestnut on Unsplash I have so many good stories of St. Anthony coming to my rescue and hearing my plea for a lost item. The one that especially comes to mind is when my gold…

  The ground was covered with leaves. Photo by Marilyn Wilson St. Anthony heard my plea. Recently, I was taking a walk enjoying the autumn leaves when I took a hard tumble onto the sidewalk. After I gathered…

Fr. John Bok, OFM Thanksgiving is a wonderful reminder for us to really think about our many blessings and to give thanks to God for them. Most of us are fortunate enough to spend time with family and…

Detail of Christine H.’s painting inspired by Francisco de Zurbarán’s art on St. Francis’ death contemplation. Lately I’ve been going through a midlife crisis. My mom had a stroke in June of last year, and there’s an unresolved…

A car goes airborne over Fr. John Bok’s vehicle. I believe in science and the laws of physics. My first assignment after ordination was to our Franciscan high school in Cincinnati. I taught various science classes including physics.…

Friars and guests celebrate the Transitus at the St. Anthony Shrine in Cincinnati. Photo by Fr. Frank Jasper, OFM Friars from throughout St. John the Baptist Province joyfully marked the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi on…

  Advent 2022 The first Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2022, starts the new Liturgical Year—a new journey of faith and spiritual preparation. Advent is a wonderful opportunity to reexamine where we have been and where we want to…

Board member Carol Swavely and Henry Beck welcome retreatants. Photos by Sr. Eileen Connelly, OSU “I feel peaceful here and very welcome.” ‘It’s as if the friars are opening their home to us.” “I experience God’s presence when…