Minute Meditations - Hand in Hand

Home

Catholic News

Daily Features

St. Anthony Messenger

Books

Catholic e-Greetings

Parish Newsletters/Services

Minute Meditations

Hand in Hand

Love and forgiveness go hand in hand; they cannot be separated, one from the other, without diminishing their very essence, their very intent: to spend our eternal life with God.

— from Wrapped Up

Monday, December 31, 2012

Minute Meditation for 12/30/2012

Minute Meditation for 1/1/2013

		Subscribe to the Minute Meditations e-newsletter.
		Subscribe to Minute Meditations at Twitter.com.
		Subscribe to this RSS feed. How?

Paid Advertisement

Ads contrary to Catholic teachings should be reported to our webmaster. Include ad link.

Felix of Cantalice: Felix was the first Capuchin Franciscan ever canonized. In fact, when he was born, the Capuchins did not yet exist as a distinct group within the Franciscans.
<p>Born of humble, God-fearing parents in the Rieti Valley, Felix worked as a farmhand and a shepherd until he was 28. He developed the habit of praying while he worked. </p><p>In 1543 he joined the Capuchins. When the guardian explained the hardships of that way of life, Felix answered: "Father, the austerity of your Order does not frighten me. I hope, with God’s help, to overcome all the difficulties which will arise from my own weakness." </p><p>Three years later Felix was assigned to the friary in Rome as its official beggar. Because he was a model of simplicity and charity, he edified many people during the 42 years he performed that service for his confreres. </p><p>As he made his rounds, he worked to convert hardened sinners and to feed the poor–as did his good friend, St. Philip Neri, who founded the Oratory, a community of priests serving the poor of Rome. When Felix wasn’t talking on his rounds, he was praying the rosary. The people named him "Brother Deo Gratias" (thanks be to God) because he was always using that blessing. </p><p>When Felix was an old man, his superior had to order him to wear sandals to protect his health. Around the same time a certain cardinal offered to suggest to Felix’s superiors that he be freed of begging so that he could devote more time to prayer. Felix talked the cardinal out of that idea. Felix was canonized in 1712.</p>

I think of all the women religious in the United States who touch countless lives, alleviate the suffering of so many, strive to offer a voice to the voiceless, remember the forgotten, care for those most in need, and focus their lives on the greater good of all God's people, without concern or regard for what they could receive in return.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

	Ten
	Live your call to holiness. The Commandments can show you how...and change your life!

	God's Gifts for Women
	Teresa Tomeo and Cheryl Dickow show you how to wrap yourself in God's love and discover your feminine genius!

	A Mary Christmas
	New! Have yourself a "Mary" little Christmas!

	Preparing for Christmas
	New! Daily meditations for Advent from Richard Rohr.

	A Franciscan Christmas
	Delve into the birthplace of Franciscan spirituality.

CATHOLIC GREETINGS

	New Year's Eve
	Catholic Greetings and AmericanCatholic.org wish you and yours a holy and blessed 2013!

	Feast of the Holy Family
	Celebrate your holy family today with a Catholic Greetings e-card.

	St. Thomas Becket
	This 12^th-century English saint’s death was the subject of a well-known play.

	Holy Innocents
	Send an e-card thank you for those late-arriving cards and gifts.

	St. John the Evangelist
	John wrote what may be called a summary of the Bible: “God is love…”

Come find us at:

American Catholic is for Catholics, all Christians and seekers. Find Roman Catholic Saints, Minute Meditations, Catholic Church Questions and Catholic News. Post Prayer Requests and send Catholic e-cards. Discover Catholic Books, Catholic Audio Books, Catholic Videos, and a leading Catholic Magazine.