Video of Fr. Michael Reyes

Give generously to those in need.

The poor are all around us: the hungry and homeless who are often children, the elderly, the sick and the suffering, families and the mentally ill. Whenever we give something of ourselves, something that makes us feel the cost, we will receive blessings from God in return.

The Franciscan Friars serve over 2 million poor and desperate who come to our doors each year. This includes over 200 students who attend Christ The King High School in Newark, New Jersey.

Father Rob­ert Sandoz, OFM, President of the school and Fr. Gregory Gebbia, OFM work tirelessly to prepare these economically disadvantaged kids for college. In this urban area, 40% of students depend on school-provided meals during the day and aren’t promised supper in the evening. Over 200 of our students suffer from hunger during the summer months when school breakfasts and lunches are not provided.

Christ the King is part of the Cristo Rey Network, an innovative, nationwide 34 school edu­cational approach to reach the urban poor with a Catholic high school education. Once a week, students leave the classrooms and venture off to offices and workplaces in downtown Newark, the nearby office park suburbs, or to Manhattan. They are paid a stipend that goes to pay for their school­ing and, in the process, earn an education about the real world.

Christ the King students reflect the city's population. Many come from poverty-scarred homes. That can mean, in some cases, students who literally live out of the family's car. One student was forced with her mother to find shelter beneath a high­way overpass after an eviction.

These kids don’t even get a chance to dream, much less have a dream… We need your help now to continue our programs of feeding the hungry, giving clothing to those in need, and formula and diapers for infants who have practically nothing.

Your Lenten gift can help so many who need our help each day. We need your wonderful generosity this Lent to help make the lives of the poor more livable.

“Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when he is well and an be of service to him. And blessed is he who loves his brother as well when he is afar off as when he is by his side, and who would say nothing behind his back he might not, in love, say before his face.” ― St. Francis of Assisi

God, help me this day to be present to at least one person, oering a smile, a kind word, a helping hand or a prayer. Help me to remember that whatever good I do, Lord, is a sharing of your love.

Lord, may the grace of this holy season open my heart to your life and love. Stir your spirit within me that I may follow your way of generous service and ready forgiveness.

Visitors to Assisi should not pass up the opportunity to travel to San Damiano and visit the little old church located in that city, the first church restored by St. Francis. The San Damiano church is situated on the side of the city and is closely connected with the lives of St. Francis and Clare.

The beautiful medieval church lies in the middle of an olive grove surrounded by evergreens, and calls to mind some of the most mysterious and sacred secrets of these Saints of Assisi. Inside the church, which has not been modified in the intervening centuries, a cross was found in the time of St. Francis.

The image on this cross is known throughout the world as the San Damiano icon. This sacred image serves as an inspiration for many to reflect on and find the meaning of life. Today we see many copies and replicas of the San Damiano cross around the world in churches, chapels, and houses.This little book, Simply San Damiano, explains multiple aspects of the devotional message of the icon of San Damiano and offers some guiding thoughts.

Click “More” to read more from Simply San Damiano
By Fr. Sergiusz Bałdyga

You can also enjoy all three “Simply Books”: Simply St. Francis, Simply San Daminao and Simply St. Anthony in one box set!

Give generously to those in need. Jesus teaches that giving money to help the poor means making the needs of others our own.

For many people, shopping in a supermarket is not an easy option. They have little or no money to spend on food for their families.

As Friars, we have seen it many times: An elderly person struggling to choose between purchasing their medication or food. Some will even choose to feed their beloved furry companions over themselves. The Franciscan Friars try to help these families, elderly women and men by offering groceries at many of our ministry sites like the Franciscan Food Center in Boston.

The Franciscan Food Center at St. Anthony’s Shrine was founded in October of 2008 by the Franciscan Friars working in partnership with the Greater Boston Food Bank. As the largest food center in downtown Boston, they serve a diverse population of over 25,000 people; many of whom are poverty-stricken, physically or mentally disabled, abused or simply families who would otherwise not have enough to eat.

Their mission is to provide high-quality, nutritious food in a client-choice setting and create a community in an environment of dignity, compassion and respect. Only with your help can we continue to serve the thousands who come to us each year in desperate need.

We need your wonderful generosity this Lent to help make the lives of the poor more livable. You can help the Franciscan Friars provide over 10,000lbs of food each week to as many as 25,000 people; most of whom are poverty-stricken, physically or mentally disabled, abused or simply families who would otherwise not have enough to eat. Click “More” to learn how you can help. Your Lenten gift can help so many who need our help each day.

“Keep a clear eye toward life's end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God's creature. What you are in his sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received...but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.” ― Francis of Assisi

Jesus, you are my foundation and strength, and yet, Lord, I sometimes reject your way, preferring to follow my desires or to prove myself better than another. Draw me close so that I may turn from selshness and sin.

Lord, may the grace of this holy season open my heart to your life and love. Stir your spirit within me that I may follow your way of generous service and ready forgiveness.

What really happened? St. Francis entered the ruined church and while he was praying he heard the voice from the cross: “St. Francis, go and repair my house which, as you see, is all being destroyed.” This call became a crucial command for St. Francis.

Following that amazing experience, the life of young St. Francis changed drastically and became filled with prayer, reflection and discernment. He followed the words of Jesus to the letter and undertook the restoration of the small church of San Damiano, the first of three churches restored by St. Francis. Carrying out that work with great enthusiasm and wearing a hermit’s habit, he began a new life....

Click “More” to read more from Simply San Damiano

You can also enjoy all three “Simply Books”: Simply St. Francis, Simply San Daminao and Simply St. Anthony in one box set!

What shall we give to the needy this Lent? In deciding, decide generously. After all, Jesus gave himself—all of himself--up for us. Your Lenten gift can help so many who need our help each day.

There are so many children, women and men who are without the basic clothing that so many of us take for granted when we get dressed each morning. Imagine if your clothing was dirty, torn and lacking for warmth in the winter cold? Many of us often forget to be thankful for the basic necessities in life, the items we use on a daily basis, without giving thought to what we would do without them.

Each month, the Franciscan Friars in the Kensington section of ­­Philadelphia provide 300 to 400 changes of clothing to the guests who come to the St. Francis Inn; many of whom are poverty-stricken families or the physically or mentally disabled and abused. Through the St. Francis Inn voucher program, all guests receive coats, shirts, pants, underwear, and socks to keep them warm on the cold streets.

Hundreds come to our thrift store asking for any available used undergarments, our pantries looking for diapers and formula for their infants and toddlers and most of all our kitchens looking for warm sit-down meals.

We are seeking your financial help this Lent so we can purchase diapers, infant formula, toddler clothing as well as food for the hungry who come to us each day. Help us make this Lent a time of wonderful generosity and care that comes from our prayer and from fasting for the sake of others.

We need your wonderful generosity this Lent to help make the lives of the poor more livable.

A man who works with his hands is a labourer. A man who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. A man who works with his hands, his head, and his heart is an artist.” ― Saint Francis of Assisi

Jesus, Word of God, speak to me that I may know and follow your will. Then Lord speak through me – through my daily deeds and words so that others may come to know you through me. So often Lord, you come in ways that I do not expect or recognize. Help me to find you in a child’s laughter, a new widow’s tears, the warm sun that breaks a cold spell and even in the reection of my own aging face in the mirror, You are life and are a steady presence through all of life’s changes.

Lord, may the grace of this holy season open my heart to your life and love. Stir your spirit within me that I may follow your way of generous service and ready forgiveness.

In contemplating the icon of San Damiano, our attention is immediately drawn to the figure of the crucified Christ. It dominates the entire surface of the painting, not only because of the scale of the image, but also because of its bright colors that contrast with the black background.

In the iconography of that era, the black color signified death or the devil. When looking at the painting, we notice that the main colors used by the painter are red, the symbol of divinity, and gold, which indicates eternity. There is also blue and green, which evokes the world and the course of human history.

Finally, we notice that the entire icon has a border of golden shells. These golden shells convey the supernatural and eternal character of everything that is depicted within. At the same time, the border of shells expresses that the whole of humanity is involved in God’s work of salvation.

Click “More” to read more from Simply San Damiano
You can also enjoy all three “Simply Books”: Simply St. Francis, Simply San Daminao and Simply St. Anthony in one box set!

As part of your Lenten experience, I am asking you to give to help the Friars help the poor who come to us each day, in or out of Lent. This includes 287 residents living at the St. Francis Residences in New York City.

These people are formerly homeless or mentally disabled and suffered years of personal and institutional neglect and abuse emotionally, psychologically and sexually. Mental illness may not always be visible but it is a struggle for many of our sisters and brothers who come to our doors each morning in need of food, care, and compassion.

Two Franciscan Friars, Fr. John Felice and Fr. John McVean were the first to offer this comprehensive solution to the problem of homelessness in New York City. They provided permanent housing with supportive services at the first St. Francis Residence in 1980 under the title, “St. Francis Friends of the Poor.” Today, there are three St. Francis Residences which serve 287 people unable to care for themselves.

Help us make this Lent a time of wonderful generosity and care that comes from our prayer and from fasting for the sake of others. So many are fed, sheltered, cared for and given some dignity in life because of you and the help you give us. We do all this service in your name and with your blessings.

"Men lose all the material things they leave behind them in this world, but they carry with them the reward of their charity and the alms they give. For these, they will receive from the Lord the reward and recompense they deserve." ― Francis of Assisi

Lord, how easy it is for me to sulk and get discouraged when my best eorts fail and good deeds backfire. Teach me by your steadfast courage and caring presence to persevere in my daily tasks.

Lord, may the grace of this holy season open my heart to your life and love. Stir your spirit within me that I may follow your way of generous service and ready forgiveness.

We see the figure of the resurrected Jesus ascending into Heaven. “I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (Jn 20:17). Jesus is shown covered in a long cloak, which is the hallmark of resurrection. In his left hand, the Savior holds a cross, the sign of his victory over death.

His right hand is lifted up toward God the Father. If we study the scene attentively, we notice that Christ’s eyes, full of trust and peace, are turned toward the Father, who, blessing with his right hand, raises the Son from death and at the same time blesses all the works of the Savior of the world. Likewise, we are all invited, not only to be blessed, but also to bless others. The power of God’s blessings reaches us, and we too can be a channel of God’s grace. Do not hesitate to bless one another.

The outstretched hand with two fingers raised and the others closed in toward the palm in a fist is commonly identified with the presence of God. According to Biblical tradition, such a gesture can also signify power and strength. Some also see in this gesture the action of the Holy Spirit.

Have you recieved your copy of Simply San Damiano yet? Click here to visit the Franciscan Store to order your copy today!

You can also enjoy all three “Simply Books”: Simply St. Francis, Simply San Damiano and Simply St. Anthony in one box set!

The Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province need your financial assistance and support this Leten Season in order to carry out a corporal work of mercy - burying the forgotten dead. 

Forgotten in life and often forgotten in death, these are the babies, children, women, and men whom our program "Remember Them. . ." remembers in death.  These are the ones who have no one to bury them. "Remember Them. . ." is a program sponsored by the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province and is administered by our Office of Development.  

At the St. Francis Inn alone, we witness about three to four deaths each year. Some of these people are homeless and unnamed, and others are elderly with no family. Unfortunately, most of our families are unable to costs of a proper, dignified burial.

The Franciscans, through the "Remember Them…" program:

* contribute financially to the cost of a burial when requested by any Holy Name Province Franciscan ministerial site;

 * requests that some dignified and proper funeral ceremony, either before or at the gravesite, take place which would enhance the dignity of a human life lived among us. 


"Remember Them. . ." is a non-denominational program which will assist in the burial of anyone regardless of age, ethnicity, lifestyle, or spiritual or non-spiritual beliefs.

As part of your Lenten experience, I am asking you to GIVE so our friars can carry out this corporal work of mercy - burying the forgotten dead. 

"Remember Them…" believes that even though these people may have been forgotten in life, the Franciscans will remember them in death.

“Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

Jesus, when life takes an unexpected turn, when my world seems upside down, when those I love are suering, I sometimes wonder if you are listening to my prayers. Now, as I look at your life – your suering and your prayers – I realize that in my suering and my joy, you are with me, for you have laughed and you have cried and you remain Emanuel, God with us.

Lord, may the grace of this holy season open my heart to your life and love. Stir your spirit within me that I may follow your way of generous service and ready forgiveness.

From Simply San Damiano: By Fr. Sergiusz Bałdyga
Available For Purchase at www.TheFranciscanStore.org

On the right we see the figures of Mary Magdalene; Mary, the mother of James; and the centurion. In these scenes we see that Mary touches her cheek with her left hand and with her right hand points to St. John, who in turn points to Jesus.

Mary Magdalene makes a similar gesture. The attitudes of the witnesses at Christ’s crucifixion express sorrow and pain; they point to the person of our Lord who has suffered his passion for us. Their hands in movement and their open eyes convey the message of hope and their profession of faith.

The same people depicted here are also witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, starting with Mary Magdalene who was the first to find the tomb empty: “On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved” (Jn 20:1-2).

Click “More” to read more from Simply San Damiano

You can also enjoy all three “Simply Books”: Simply St. Francis, Simply San Daminao and Simply St. Anthony in one box set!

Pray Today:
Jesus, I can only imagine what you must have felt, listening to the crowd shout hosannas and knowing what the crowd did not know—that your days were numbered. There is no emotion, no experience I cannot lay before you, Lord, for you have experienced extremes of sorrow and joy and you know me intimately, Jesus, increase my trust.

Today pray:
For those who have experienced betrayal, that they may learn to trust.

Conclude your prayer with:
Lord, may my Lenten practices increase my love for you and deepen my confidence in the great love you have for me.

Daily Scripture Reflection:
“They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them. The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.’” –Matthew 21:7-9

Pray Today:
Lord, you see so much more in me than I see in myself. You formed me to be a covenant, an instrument of your liberating love. Empower me, Jesus, so that I may respond to your call with generosity and confidence.

Today pray:
For all involved in communications, that their work may support and celebrate justice and truth.

Conclude your prayer with:
Lord, may my Lenten practices increase my love for you and deepen my confidence in the great love you have for me.

Daily Scripture Reflection:
“I, the Lord, have called you for justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.” –Isaiah 42:6-7

Pray Today:
How many times, Jesus, have I been like Peter, making promises and then falling short? But even when I fail, your love never fails me. I give you thanks, Lord, for your fidelity. Jesus, draw me close.

Today pray:
For young people that they remain open to the Spirit’s presence in their personal and professional development.

Conclude your prayer with:
Lord, may my Lenten practices increase my love for you and deepen my confidence in the great love you have for me.

Daily Scripture Reflection:
“Simon Peter said to him, ‘Master, where are you going?’ Jesus answered [him], ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.’ Peter said to him, ‘Master, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.’” – John 13:36-38

Pray Today:
Jesus, awaken in me a listening heart and a compassionate voice.

Today pray:
For those experiencing loss, particularly the personal losses that occur because of age, illness or disability, that they may be comforted by the support of friends and the immeasurable and constant love of God.

Conclude your prayer with:
Lord, may my Lenten practices increase my love for you and deepen my confidence in the great love you have for me.

Daily Scripture Reflection:
“The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to answer the weary, a word that will waken them. Morning after morning he wakens my ear to hear as disciples do; the Lord God opened my ear; I did not refuse, did not turn away.”–Isaiah 50:4-5

THE EASTER TRIDUUM

Pray Today:
Jesus, this night you seem both powerless and powerful, celebrating one last meal with your friends, washing their feet, preparing them and yourself for the ordeal to come, when you would lay down your life. When I am feeling powerless and defensive, may your grace keep me from withdrawing or reacting in anger or fear.

Today pray:
For those who in anger and frustration have become violent toward others or themselves, that they may find safety and peace.

Conclude your prayer with:
Lord, may my Lenten practices increase my love for you and deepen my confidence in the great love you have for me.

Daily Scripture Reflection:
“So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he [Jesus] had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.” –John 13:2-4

Pray Today:
Jesus, you understood that your work was finished, for you had been obedient to the Father. And yet, hanging on the cross, you knew many had not accepted your teaching. Indeed, you saw only a few of your followers standing by you in those most difficult moments. When my efforts fail and I am misunderstood, help me to persevere.

Today pray:
For those suffering persecution for their faith, that they be strengthened and blessed.

Conclude your prayer with:
Lord, may my Lenten practices increase my love for you and deepen my confidence in the great love you have for me.

Daily Scripture Reflection:
“After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I thirst.’ There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.” –John 19:28-30

Pray Today:
Though still silenced, alleluias are all but bursting into song, and yet the sadness of Good Friday lingers. This is such an in-between day, Jesus. Then again, much of my life—my ordinary time—is just such a mix, a sharing in your cross and resurrection; keep me mindful of your presence in my daily life.

Today pray:
For those who are filled with worry and anxiety, that they may find comfort in the Easter experience.

Conclude your prayer with:
Lord, may my Lenten practices increase my love for you and deepen my confidence in the great love you have for me.

Daily Scripture Reflection:
“Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.” –Romans 6:3-4

Pray Today:
Risen Lord, continue to open your Word to me and open my heart to your presence in Scripture, sacraments and my daily life. Enlighten and inspire me with the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Today Pray:
For those who received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist this Easter, that they may continue to grow in their faith with the support of their godparents, sponsors and local church community.

Conclude Your Prayer With:
Glorious Lord, like Mary Magdalen, I have heard you call me by name. You have called me to holiness, to love and to service. I accept this gift and its challenge, for my hopes have risen with you and you will not disappoint.

Daily Scripture Reflection:
“And it happened that, while he was with them at the table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?’” –Luke 24:30-32