Franciscan Resources

Franciscan and Related Resources

"They live according to the form of the primitive Church, about whom it was written: 'The community of believers were of one heart and one mind. During the day they go into the cities and villages giving themselves over to the active life in order to gain others; at night, however, they return to their hermitage or solitary places to devote themselves to contemplation.'"

These are not recent observations; this is from a letter written by Jacques de Vitry in 1216 early in the Franciscan movement. Many centuries later, the friars are still trying to meet the challenge of this way of life.

San Damiano Retreat was named after a tiny Italian church near Assisi, where, almost 800 years ago, St. Francis began the Franciscan tradition. While at prayer before a 12th century crucifix in the dilapidated church of San Damiano, Francis heard the Christ of the crucifix speak, "Francis, go repair my church which is falling into ruins." Francis literally began to gather stones and started building up the edifice, only to later realize that the larger community of the whole church was meant, not merely a material building.

It is our hope that San Damiano Retreat will be a place of listening, rebuilding and renewal for you.

PRAYER BEFORE THE SAN DAMIANO CRUCIFIX

Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart.
Give me true faith, certain hope
and perfect charity, sense and
knowledge that I may carry out
Your Holy and true command.

- Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi to discern God's will

THE CANTICLE OF THE CREATURES

Most High, all powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor,
and all blessing.

To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no man is worthy to mention Your name.

Praise to 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 splendor,
and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.

Praise be to You, my Lord, through Sister Moon
and the stars, in heaven you formed them
clear and precious and beautiful.

Praise be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene,
and every kind of weather through which
You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
which 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 Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains us and governs us and who produces
varied fruits 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, they shall be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord,
through Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no living man 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.

AMEN

FRANCISCAN RETREATS OF INTEREST AT SAN DAMIANO:

                      Fr. Allen Ramirez, OFM, Conv.
                         October 3-5, 2008

FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY
(Private Room $210 / Shared Room $180)
WEEKEND RETREAT

INFORMATION COMING SOON!

For more information can be found about this retreat on this website by clicking the Retreats page or call Kateri at 925-837-9141 ext. 315.

FRANCISCAN SITES:

Franciscan Web Page
   www.wtu.edu/franciscan

The Franciscan Experience
  http://www.1/ofm/fra/FRAmain.html

Franciscan School of Theology
   www.fst.edu

Franciscan Friars, Province of Saint Barbara
   http://sbfranciscans.org/

Franciscan Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation
   www.ofm-jpic.org

Franciscan Pilgrimages
   www.franciscanpilgrimages.com

Franciscans International
   www.franciscansinternational.org

Franciscan Covenant Program
  www.franciscancovenantvolunteers.org

St. Anthony Foundation
  http://www.stanthonysf.org

Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service
  www.paceebene.org/

FRANCISCAN RETREAT CENTERS:

Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, Arizona
   www.thecasa.org

St. Francis Retreat, San Juan Bautista, California
   www.stfrancisretreat.com

Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, California
   http://sanluisrey.org/Retreats/Retreatlist.asp

Serra Retreat Center, Malibu, California
   www.serraretreat.com

OTHER SPIRITUALITY SITES:

American Catholic
   www.americancatholic.org

Catholic Online
   www.catholic.org

Daily Mass Readings (US Conference of Catholic Bishops)
   www.usccb.org/nab/index.htm

The Holy See
   www.vatican.va

Gratefulness Website
   www.gratefulness.org

Sacred Space:  Daily Prayer Online
   www.sacredspace.ie

Skyfarm Hermitage
   www.skyfarm.org

Joanna Macy's website
   www.joannamacy.net/html/schedule.html