Stay Close to Jesus and Mary
by Fred Schaeffer, OFS (Revised)
Our Seraphic Father, St. Francis of Assisi, was drawn to the Eucharist, the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. From his relationship to Christ in the Eucharist, Francis grew closer to all other Christians whom he regarded as his sisters and brothers on an equal level to himself. Franciscans, therefore, give first place in their daily lives to the Mass and to receiving Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.
For almost five years, I was a Monk, with The Monks of Adoration, in Petersham, MA. While there, after the initial formation was finished, we had a small shield on our chest (on a cord). This shield had an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the words: "All for Thee, Jesus and Mary, Thy Kingdom Come." The Order lost its Canonical standing due to lack of Vocations, and when there were insufficient Vocations to continue, the Bishop closed us down. That's what happens to Orders that experience no growth. I was very sad because I loved this Order. After that, I returned home and gave up the idea of Religious Life. I was too old to start again in Religious Life. I returned to the Secular Franciscan Order, of which I had been in member previously. I pray every morning: "All for Thee, Jesus and Mary, Thy Kingdom Come." It's one of the first things I pray. It is a daily dedication of my day, to Jesus and Mary.
Always stay close to Jesus, and to Mary, our Mother and of course, to our Seraphic Father. There are many illustrious Saints whose lives have been a witness for God. Their lives give us inspiration and strength to live in like manner, building on the strong points in their holy lives, to enrich our own life of the soul. The life of the soul, that inner life that forms the core of our relationship to Jesus, and through Jesus to our sisters and brothers - all that we do should turn around Jesus, and the examples He set for us while on earth. Isn't it wonderful that Jesus' public ministry gave us a well-documented structure of what is expected of us, as Catholic Christians and as Franciscans. That's why we, and all Catholics should renew this memory of Jesus by frequently reading Holy Scripture.
Stay close to Jesus, and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, that unassuming and humble woman we know from Nazareth, who never ceases to contemplate her Son, who sits at the right hand of the Father, is Queen of Heaven and Earth. She is surely our strongest intercessor and help in our daily life. "This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation. . . . Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 969). Our Mother in Heaven, Mary, is very powerful and she has her Son’s ear.
St. Francis of Assisi, had a deep devotion to Our Lady, because he knew she would lead him to her Son, Jesus. Thank her often for her Fiat - for saying, "Yes" to the message of the Angel. That act of obedience and humility has shaped the course of history and grace in our lives.
So many people are undergoing tough suffering as a result of cancer and other life-threatening conditions. Let us ask Our Lady, and her Son, to heal the people we hold dear, who are suffering.
May the Lord bless thee and heal thee!
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
7/28/24 (cf. file bc319), rev. 10/21/25