Death and Ascension of St. Francis, Giotto di Bondone, 1325, Basilica of Santa Croce Big news for our community of Secular Franciscans in Central Minnesota today! Pope Leo XIV has decreed a special Jubilee Year of Saint Francis to take place from January 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027, on the occasion of the eighth … Continue reading Pope Sets New Jubilee for 800th Anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Death
spirituality
How to “Know, Pray, Do” for Better Forgiveness
(art: La Vierge aux Lys, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1899) This article is for Catholics who want to renew and grow in their practice of forgiveness, especially in the new year of 2026. This article highlights insights into forgiveness by Pope Leo XIV during the 2026 Solemnity of Mary homily for the mass and Angelus. The insights … Continue reading How to “Know, Pray, Do” for Better Forgiveness
Central Minnesota Religious Orders Host Life Awareness Retreat for Vocations Interest
(photo: St. Benedict's Monastery, Minnesota, 2026) Here in Central Minnesota we are fortunate to serve as a home for more than a few religious orders and monastic communities, including Franciscan Sisters, Poor Clares, Maryknolls, Crosiers, Benedictine Sisters and Benedictine Brothers. This event is an opportunity to explore what "vocation" really means, as in its original … Continue reading Central Minnesota Religious Orders Host Life Awareness Retreat for Vocations Interest
“As you were called…”
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another. As the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of … Continue reading “As you were called…”
New Research: Here’s How Self-Kindness and Being Social Can Support Your Self-Forgiveness
(photo: Seth Willingham, 2016) This article is for Catholics who want to be better at forgiving themselves or help others forgive themselves. This article reviews new research that demonstrates the connection of self-kindness to self-forgiveness, and explains how a person can improve their kindness to themselves as a way of more easily engaging in self-forgiveness. … Continue reading New Research: Here’s How Self-Kindness and Being Social Can Support Your Self-Forgiveness
Forgiveness is the Holy Door of the Heart
(photo: Holy Door at Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Berthold Werner, 2007) This article excerpts key points of the address given by Cardinal Archpriest Rolandas Macrickas at the closing of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Sant Mary Major that relate to forgiveness. The key points can help understand what forgiveness is, … Continue reading Forgiveness is the Holy Door of the Heart
Come see me at the Catholic Men’s Conference!
Please attend the 2026 Catholic Men’s Conference at St. John’s University, February 28th, 2026. I will be presenting and facilitating three breakout sessions on the topics of effectively managing money worries with the wisdom of the Franciscan tradition, as well as the importance of real companionship in the lives of young men from a Franciscan … Continue reading Come see me at the Catholic Men’s Conference!
Franciscan Advice: When forgiveness isn’t enough you need to clean house too! Here’s how!
(photo: Sherburne County, Minnesota (USA), Tom Delaney, 2025) Central Minnesota is blanketed in deep snow. The contours and features of the land get to be rounded and softer now, with a more resplendent and sparkling reflection of any glimmer of light. It makes you wonder if we are not cable of the same transformation -- … Continue reading Franciscan Advice: When forgiveness isn’t enough you need to clean house too! Here’s how!
Four Steps to Restore Harmony in Your Life: Repent, Repair, Reconcile, Rejoice
This post is for Catholic parishioners and community members who want a step-by-step process of restoring harmony to their lives, especially after an event or series of events that caused moral stress or moral injury for themselves, others, or both. A four step process for restoring is proposed based on the homily of Pope Leo … Continue reading Four Steps to Restore Harmony in Your Life: Repent, Repair, Reconcile, Rejoice
Franciscan Advice for Entering Advent
(photo: Geheimnis der Weihnacht, Turris Davidica, 2014) Today is the day of Advent, are you ready? Are you wondering what there is to be ready for? Advent is an important liturgical season because it does two things for us: it memorializes, and it invites. Let's take a closer look at how Advent each of these … Continue reading Franciscan Advice for Entering Advent
Live and Forgive 