Author Archives: Andy

There is no “out of love”

28 Friday Aug 2026

Posted by in contemplation, contemplation

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Friends of Silence
Aug 28, 2026

There is no “out of love.” It’s what we are, deeper and richer than all the spiritual promises and far more ordinary and real. We don’t “fall in or out of love” because we are permanently in the flow of love itself. Love is the way we are meant to live; love is the measure of the meaning of life … When we touch life with love, it grows warm and shines down the corridors of the mind with a light that does not fade but grows brighter and more beautiful with the years. 

When love is present nothing is the same. Even the drab gray walls of this prison begin to glow. It’s as if we are transported into a different world, love’s world. Then things are seen through love’s eyes. Then the pain may turn into a poem, and the sorrow may blossom as a ministry. 

Love is what shines from our eyes, beats from our heart, speaks with our voice, and meets itself everywhere. Sooner or later, love will reclaim us all. But to let that happen now, to die into love now, before the body dies … Ah!

~ Charles “Tom” Brown

Padre Pio on loving our loving God

17 Monday Aug 2026

Posted by in Franciscan Saints and Blesseds, Franciscan Spirituality, Mystics, News, Saints

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This letter from Padre Pio found its way into my inbox, which (as is so often the case) came at a time when I needed a reminder of God’s infinite love for us, and our inborn need to love Him. If I read him correctly, Padre Pio says that God love fills us because God Himself dwells within us, and our yearning to love Him is evidence of that His indwelling love.

There’s a good deal to ponder here, but I was particularly drawn to his asking, “How is it possible that a soul that has…dedicated to divine love…may one day depart this world dry, cold, without longing for God? How is it possible, I say, that this soul may leave this world with the mark of eternal damnation: Does it not seem a contraction to you?”*

I wonder how different things would be if we gave up worrying about being ‘worthy’ and just accepted that God’s love has no strings attached. God asks nothing in return for that gift, for true gifts are freely given, and God joys in our being channels of His love into the world.

Pio–Love for God

July Meeting Recap

27 Monday Jul 2026

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This meeting focused on completing a formation series about the San Damiano crucifix (we’ve been using The San Damiano Crucifix: History, Iconography, and Spiritual Legacy, by Jeffrey Campbell). We discussed our reflections on the book & shared insights about how the crucifix represents joy rather than defeat, the importance of bearing witness to Christ’s presence, and the challenge of living out our faith in both visible and hidden ways. We also wondered about what we might hear if Christ spoke to us from the crucifix as he did to Francis; our responses emphasized love, perseverance, and continued faith journey. 

We also discussed potential future topics for formation, including Duns Scotus and papal encyclicals, and we considered whether to continue maintaining [this] Facebook page for the fraternity & others interested in the Order. 

We ended the meeting by sharing personal prayer requests, including prayers for family members and various health concerns.

July Fraternity Meeting

12 Sunday Jul 2026

Posted by in Meeting Dates and Times

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Our July meeting will be on the 12th of the month.

Since this is the first post in a while, let me add that we’re meeting in the church proper at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Bedford. Come to the side entrance; if the door is locked, just knock and we’ll open it.

We have been pleased to welcome Deacon Jim Rice to our recent fraternity meetings. Deacon Jim is considering joining the fraternity as a spiritual director, a position that has been open for quite a while.

Mike has been leading us in looking more closely at the San Damiano crucifix the past couple of months. It was from this crucifix in the small San Damiano chapel outside the walls of Assisi that St. Francis heard Christ’s voice charging him with “rebuild[ing] my church.” It is a beautiful Byzantine cross full of allegorical figures that has become a symbol of the Franciscan orders, and certainly worth studying.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to send me an email.

Andy