THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS, TOR

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul Saint of the Day for June 29 https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODJun29.mp3 Saints Peter and Paul’s Story Peter (d. 64?). Saint Mark ends the first half of his Gospel with a triumphant climax. He has recorded doubt, misunderstanding, and the opposition of many to Jesus. Now Peter makes his great confession of faith: “You are the Messiah” […]

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome Saint of the Day for June 30 (d. 64) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODJun30.mp3 First Martyrs of the Church of Rome’s Story There were Christians in Rome within a dozen or so years after the death of Jesus, though they were not the converts of the “Apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 15:20). Paul […]

Saint Junipero Serra Saint of the Day for July 1 (November 24, 1713 – August 28, 1784) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODJul01.mp3 Saint Junipero Serra’s Story In 1776, when the American Revolution was beginning in the east, another part of the future United States was being born in California. That year a gray-robed Franciscan founded Mission San Juan Capistrano, now famous […]

Saint Oliver Plunkett Saint of the Day for July 2 (November 1, 1629 – July 1, 1681) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODJul02.mp3 Saint Oliver Plunkett’s Story The name of today’s saint is especially familiar to the Irish and the English—and with good reason. The English martyred Oliver Plunkett for defending the faith in his native Ireland during a period of severe persecution. […]

Saint Thomas the Apostle Saint of the Day for July 3 (1st Century – December 21, 72) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODJul03.mp3 Saint Thomas the Apostle’s Story Poor Thomas! He made one remark and has been branded as “Doubting Thomas” ever since. But if he doubted, he also believed. He made what is certainly the most explicit statement of faith […]

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal Saint of the Day for July 4 (1271 – July 4, 1336) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODJul04.mp3 Saint Elizabeth of Portugal’s Story Elizabeth is usually depicted in royal garb with a dove or an olive branch. At her birth in 1271, her father Pedro III, future king of Aragon, was reconciled with his father James, the reigning monarch. […]

Saint Anthony Zaccaria Saint of the Day for July 5 (1502  – July 5, 1539) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODJul05.mp3 Saint Anthony Zaccaria’s Story At the same time that Martin Luther was attacking abuses in the Church, a reformation within the Church was already being attempted. Among the early movers of the Counter-Reformation was Anthony Zaccaria. His mother became a […]

Saint Maria Goretti Saint of the Day for July 6 (October 16, 1890 – July 6, 1902) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODJul06.mp3 Saint Maria Goretti’s Story One of the largest crowds ever assembled for a canonization—250,000—symbolized the reaction of millions touched by the simple story of Maria Goretti. She was the daughter of a poor Italian tenant farmer, had no chance […]

Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz and Companions Saint of the Day for July 7 (1804 – 1860) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODJul07.mp3 Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz and Companions’ Story Not much is known of the early life of Emmanuel Ruiz, but details of his heroic death in defense of the faith have come down to us. Born of humble parents in Santander, […]

Saint Gregory Grassi and Companions Saint of the Day for July 8 (d. July 9, 1900) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODJul08.mp3 Saint Gregory Grassi and Companions’ Story Christian missionaries have often gotten caught in the crossfire of wars against their own countries. When the governments of Britain, Germany, Russia, and France forced substantial territorial concessions from the Chinese in 1898, anti-foreign […]