Holy Archangels St. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your generous giving of alms for the Christians in Jordan. We were able to donate to three parishes, a Catholic orphanage which is at a Marian Shrine (one of the 5 Vatican-designated Holy Places) and other needy Christians. The Middle East needs Christians because the Middle East needs Christ and His teachings.
Jordan is also part of the Holy Land with 5 Vatican-designated Holy Places and many biblical places and areas, including Mount Nebo, Jesus’ authentic Baptismal Site (where St. John the Baptist began his ministry—where the Prophet Elijah ascended in fiery horses and chariots), where St. John the Baptist was beheaded (Machereus), the birthplace of Elijah, Gerasa (Jerash) and Gadara—two places where Jesus cast out demons into a herd of swine, Mount Hor, near Petra (where Aaron died), and so much more. Jordan is a safe country. I recommend visiting there. Talk to me if you are interested.
This week we have our three “Firsts”: First Wednesday/St. Therese (Oct. 1), First Friday (Oct. 3) and First Saturday/St. Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4).
For St. Francis, since we follow a Franciscan calendar, we will celebrate his feast as a solemnity. After mass (no Exposition) we will pray the Rosary, as Our Lady of Fatima has asked us to do. Then we will have a reception to celebrate our saint. I will give a talk on the Canticle of the Creatures—the first poem not in Latin but in “proto-Italian” (really Umbrian). You will have a bilingual handout and we will recite the Canticle together in the original. All of us are part of a cosmic Family under one Father, brothers and sisters in Christ who is also our Brother as well as our Creator.
I have an illustrated unframed set of the Canticle of the Creatures by Italian artist Piero Casentini from Assisi itself. It is for sale. Let me know if you are interested.
To communicate with me, please email me directly at abunaalex@yahoo.com or call/text me at (313) 727-9784. St. Therese and St. Francis, pray for us!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries