by David Torkington | Dec 26, 2018 | Franciscan Spirituality
Throughout his life St Francis was consumed by a desire to give his life for Christ. This desire burst into an unquenchable flame when he received news that six of his brothers had been martyred preaching to the Moslems in Morocco. Taking Peter Cattani, Brother...
by David Torkington | Sep 17, 2018 | Franciscan Spirituality
Two years before his death St Francis received the stigmata which we celebrate on the 17th September. It is fitting therefore to conclude this series on the feast day of Francis receiving the stigmata. As the end drew near St Francis asked to be taken to the...
by David Torkington | Dec 19, 2017 | Franciscan Spirituality
A friend took me to a Christmas dinner at a local pub noted for its good food. It was also noted for something else too that nearly forced me into a fight. I am referring to its seasonal cider punch, served hot with a sprinkling of spices. It was so moreish that you...
by David Torkington | Nov 19, 2017 | Franciscan Spirituality
After St Francis received the Stigmata he travelled all the way back to Assisi on a donkey for he could not walk. Nor could he see or hear much, because he was filled with such sublime joy that most of the time he was lost in ecstasy. But on his return he was filled...
by David Torkington | Nov 3, 2017 | Franciscan Spirituality
On leaving Rome in 1223 Francis made for the Rieti Valley and back to the hermitage of Fonte Columbo where he had written his rule. It was here that he had an idea which was to stain the memories and the imaginations of everyone for centuries to come with the mystery...
by David Torkington | Oct 15, 2017 | Franciscan Spirituality
Innocent III had died a year after the Fourth Lateran Council in 1216, to be succeeded by Honorius III, so when St Francis returned from the Holy Land to deal with the disputes that had arisen about the interpretation of his first rule written in 1209, he went for...
