Spiritual Toolbox
Welcome to the Spiritual Toolbox. Perhaps like Francesco Bernardone, on his way to becoming Saint Francis of Assisi, you too are a young man pondering the direction of your life.
We invite you to spend a little time in the shade of San Damiano to reflect on some real life challenges. It’s both heartening and challenging to be, like Francis, called to rebuild or repair the Church. God often places those opportunities for rebuilding right in front of us, and the toughest challenges are those that help us grow the most.
Francis used the simple tools of his time - an awl, an axe, a hammer, and his own two hands. Then learned that God was asking him to respond with his heart, with his sincerity, with his deeper instincts toward love. What are your unique God-given tools and abilities to help those in your life?
Click on one of the anecdotes and continue to consider how you might be called to respond in a manner that’s prophetic, fraternal and, most of all, Franciscan.
1. To bring understanding: how a Franciscan Friar serves as a Hospital Chaplain.
"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Matt 9:37-38
New American Bible Copyright 2002 © by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
2. To witness to Christ: A Franciscan Friar at a wedding.
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. John 14:10
New American Bible Copyright 2002 © by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3. To proceed in good faith: a Franciscan Friar deciding quickly, but prudently.
He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come Luke 11:13
New American Bible Copyright 2002 © by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
4. To minister and bring light: Franciscan Friars education ministry.
A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.' Mark 1: 3
New American Bible Copyright 2002 © by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
