St. Margaret of Cortona
Feastday: February 22
Margaret of Cortona, born in Italy in 1247 was only seven when her mother died. When her stepmother rejected her high-spirited daughter, Margaret eloped with a youth and bore him a son out of wedlock. Nine years later when her lover was murdered, Margaret returned as a penitent to her father's house. When her father refused to accept her and her son, she went to the Friars Minor at Cortona where she received asylum.
Margaret first earned a living by nursing sick ladies; later she chose to serve the sick poor without recompense, subsisting only on alms. Eventually, she joined the Third Order of St. Francis (SFO)/ She grew prayer and was believed to be in direct contact with Jesus including frequent ecstasies.
In 1286, Margaret was granted a charter allowing her to work for the sick poor on a permanent basis. Others offered work; some gave financial assistance. Margaret formed her group into tertiaries (SFO). Later they were given the status of a congregation called The "Poor Ones". She founded a hospital at Cortona and the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy. Through Margaret many returned to the sacraments because of her great love for the Eucharist and the Passion of Jesus Christ.
Divinely warned of the day and hour of her death, she died on February 22, 1297, after twenty-nine years doing acts of penance. She was canonized in 1728.
Monday, February 22, 2010
THE SERVANT OF GOD MATTHEW ROSSI
THE SERVANT OF GOD MATTHEW ROSSI
Matthew Rossi of the well known Orsini family was a knight of extraordinary piety and virtue. Once as St. Francis of Assisi was traveling through Rome, Matthew invited Francis to visit his palace in Rome and teach him how to save his soul. St. Francis’ preaching on the vanity of the world was so impressive that Mathew fell at his feet and humbly begged for admission to the Third Order to live out his life in penance. Many noble men and women soon followed his example.
During a later visit to Rome, St. Francis held Matthew’s young son, John Cajetan and declared: “This boy will at some future time be a religious not in garb but in sentiment; he will be a mighty ruler and great protector of our order.” The prophecy was fulfilled. John Cajetan became a priest, cardinal protector of the Franciscan Order and in the year of 1277 he ascended the papal throne as Nicholas III.
February 22
Matthew Rossi of the well known Orsini family was a knight of extraordinary piety and virtue. Once as St. Francis of Assisi was traveling through Rome, Matthew invited Francis to visit his palace in Rome and teach him how to save his soul. St. Francis’ preaching on the vanity of the world was so impressive that Mathew fell at his feet and humbly begged for admission to the Third Order to live out his life in penance. Many noble men and women soon followed his example.
During a later visit to Rome, St. Francis held Matthew’s young son, John Cajetan and declared: “This boy will at some future time be a religious not in garb but in sentiment; he will be a mighty ruler and great protector of our order.” The prophecy was fulfilled. John Cajetan became a priest, cardinal protector of the Franciscan Order and in the year of 1277 he ascended the papal throne as Nicholas III.
February 22
THE RULE - The Secular Franciscan Order - Chapter One - 3
The Secular Franciscan Order - Chapter One
3.
The present rule, succeeding “Memoriale Propositi” (1221) and the rules approved by the Supreme Pontiffs Nicholas IV and Leo XIII, adapts the Secular Franciscan order to the needs and expectations of the Holy church in the conditions of changing times. Its interpretation belongs to the Holy See and its application will be made by the General Constitutions and particular statutes.
3.
The present rule, succeeding “Memoriale Propositi” (1221) and the rules approved by the Supreme Pontiffs Nicholas IV and Leo XIII, adapts the Secular Franciscan order to the needs and expectations of the Holy church in the conditions of changing times. Its interpretation belongs to the Holy See and its application will be made by the General Constitutions and particular statutes.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
THE SERVANT OF GOD JORDAN MAI
THE SERVANT OF GOD JORDAN MAI
Born Henry Mai September 1, 1866, in Westphalia to poor parents, he worked until age 29 as a simple laborer and soldier. He became Franciscan Brother Jordan in 1895 and spent the last 15 years of his life in the Franciscan friary at Dortmund. He lived a quiet and retired life full of humility modeled after the Blessed Virgin Mary. In his interior life he attained a high degree of mysticism. One of his greatest delights was to serve the priest at holy Mass. His charity toward his neighbor made him loved by many. Franciscan cheerfulness radiated from is whole being. The extraordinary answers to prayers directed to him have caused him to be called “The St. Anthony of Dortmund.” His tomb is at the foot of the sanctuary in the Franciscan church in Dortmund.
Born Henry Mai September 1, 1866, in Westphalia to poor parents, he worked until age 29 as a simple laborer and soldier. He became Franciscan Brother Jordan in 1895 and spent the last 15 years of his life in the Franciscan friary at Dortmund. He lived a quiet and retired life full of humility modeled after the Blessed Virgin Mary. In his interior life he attained a high degree of mysticism. One of his greatest delights was to serve the priest at holy Mass. His charity toward his neighbor made him loved by many. Franciscan cheerfulness radiated from is whole being. The extraordinary answers to prayers directed to him have caused him to be called “The St. Anthony of Dortmund.” His tomb is at the foot of the sanctuary in the Franciscan church in Dortmund.
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